Noisy Cricket
Brewery: Friends & Allies Brewing
Style: Session IPA (21B)
Package: 12oz Can
Packaging Date: None
Purchased: Specs Airport, Feb 2018
Details from the Brewer
Style: Session IPA, ABV: 4.7%
Hops: Mosaic, Simcoe, Amarillo, Cascade, and Centennial
IBUs: 100+
Malt: 2-Row and Rye
Color: Light Honey
Body: Light/Moderate
Flavor: Citrus and Honey
Aroma: Oranges, Tangerines, Light Toast
Review
Aroma – 6/12
A resinous pine note appears first, fading into floral. These hop notes are not overpowering, but are the dominant character. A low level of grainy malt with a slight sweetness. No yeast esters present. Very slight soap character as it warms.
Appearance – 3/3
Pours with a deep white head of various size bubbles. Retention is average and persists to a thin covering after some time. The liquid is a deep straw color. Good clarity.
Flavor – 9/20
Moderate citrus and pine notes at the front, mellowing through mid taste. Finish is a low level of citrus accompanied by a moderate-high bitterness. Slight spicy tang on the finish. Malt character is grainy with a slight breadiness, hints towards a sweetness on the initial sip, but finishes dry and bitter. No noticeable yeast character. Bitter pine flavor lingers for long after the sip.
Mouthfeel – 4/5
Low to medium carbonation. Medium bodied. Low alcohol warmth, but more present on the finish than expected. Low astringency. Slight chalky mouthfeel on finish. While not lingering, the bitterness tends to dry out the tongue over time.
Overall Impression – 5/10
The initial hop character is pleasant and enjoyable. It could use more punch to bring it up to session IPA levels from the pale ale level where it’s at now. Perhaps increasing the carbonation would help promote the aroma more. The bitterness is aggressive and seems a bit out of place for such a small beer. The lingering bitterness after sips is a deterrent and is more in line with a 7.5% IPA.
Rating – 28/50
While not completely enjoyable, this is much improved than the first batches. It’s currently representing as an overly bitter American Pale Ale. While the alcohol is at a seasonable level, the drinkability of say an All Day IPA just isn’t there. Also, the can indicated 40IBU, but I’m more likely to believe the 100+ IBU indicated on the website.
