Stir-Crazy Hazy
Brewery: Zilker Brewing Company
Style: Specialty IPA (21B)
Package: 16oz Can
Purchased: Beer To-Go!
Canned Date: April 11, 2020
Consumed Date: April 13, 2020
Details From the Brewer
ABV: 6.8%
This citrus hazy was made possible with social distancing and the help from our friends: Malteurop Malting Company, Hollingbery & Son Hops, Sam O’brien- Sample Co , and R/GA Austin. These folks donated their ingredients, time and design elements making it possible for us to use the funds from this beer for donation purposes. Every beer sold will directly contribute to providing meals to the East Austin Community.
Review
Aroma – 10/12
Intense pineapple is the first thing off the nose. Moderate grapefruit and lemon zest also comes out on the nose. There’s a touch of resin and a bit of sharp wildflower. A low level of white-bread and crust malt character. A touch of sweetness and alcohol warmth.
Appearance – 3/3
Pours a deep straw color liquid with a heavy haze. Not completely opaque with about 1cm of visibility. Pure white, small bubbles make up a 1cm head that lasts with good retention.
Flavor – 17/20
Similar to the aroma, pineapple comes in strong on the flavor. It’s joined by a moderate pithy grapefruit taste. There a bit of rose and some orange citrus as well. Low-medium sweetness and white bread / doughy malt character. A just above medium level bitterness comes out towards the end of the taste. A touch of dank resin comes out at the finish, which is quick and leaves behind a bitter pineapple taste.
Mouthfeel – 4.5/5
Medium bodied with a nice silkiness. A moderate carbonation hits the roof of the mouth. Only a slight hop-based astringency, with no hop burn! The finish is nice and soft.
Overall Impression – 8/10
Another great IPA from Zilker! The hop expression here is really unique with one of the best pineapple expressions I’ve had in an IPA. I’m loving these flavorful yet dry and bitter IPAs. Balancing the hops a little more to increase the other notes a bit would put this over the top!
Rating – 42.5/50
A killer concept and execution from Zilker. It’s great to see them being able to put out a fundraising collaboration so quickly. The service industry workers in Austin are really struggling right now with the COVID-19 shutdown. Pickup was easy and safe. It’s great to see they sold out within a day as well.
