Terpene Dream

Brewery: Zilker Brewing Company
Style: Specialty IPA (21B)
Package: 12oz Can
Packaged Date: 4/16/18
Consumed Date: 4/23/18
Purchased Date: HEB Braker, April 2018

Details from the Brewer

ABV: 7.0%
Join us in celebrating our 3rd Anniversary with this hazy, triple dry hopped IPA with all the hops.

Review

Aroma – 11/12

Floral, melon, guava and orange hop character burst at a moderate high level.  These hop aromas dominate the smell.  There is a slight bready and maybe doughy malt character that peaks through at a low level.

Appearance – 3/3

Liquid pours a light milky straw color.  Extremely turbid and opaque.  Large rocky white head that lasts with a great retention.

Flavor – 16/20

Tangerine, grapefruit, and floral hop notes hit at a medium-high intensity.  Some notes melon, resin and nectarine punch through in the midtaste, along with a stronger perfume flavor.  There is a moderate doughy malt character with a touch of grainy present but hidden underneath the hop notes.  Towards the back half of the taste, the flavors seem to fall off.  The finish is slightly crisp, dry, only leaving behind the perfume flavor.  While there is a soft bitterness at a low level during the taste,  it lingers at an increased level on the finish

Mouthfeel – 4/5

A moderate carbonation helps add some agility to the surprisingly thick body.  While the start and finish of a taste seem lighter and delicate, the middle is quite chewy.  Low-medium hop-derived astringency on the rough of the mouth.  The alcohol is hidden well at the start, but as the beer warms, it can be seen warming the throat on the finish.

Overall Impression – 9/10

This beer definitely falls under specialty IPA category.  As a New England IPA subcategory, this beer does quite well!  It’s a showcase of hop aroma and flavor, with minimal malt or bitterness present.  The mouthfeel is soft yet full, with crisp finish, that doesn’t linger like poor examples.  The one element I don’t like about the hop profile is the perfume element.  While it balances nicely at the start, it persists too long after everything else fades away nicely.  It’s a weird note to leave on the finish.

Rating – 43/50

I’d say this is Austin’s first true canned NEIPA.  Zilker only released 200 cases of this in celebration of their 3rd anniversary.  It’s definitely approximates what is coming out of the hyped up breweries people trade away all their Jester King bottles for these days.  I feel like a homer giving this a good rating, but it does the style well.

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