“Blackcurrant, plum, pine and vanilla with citrus hop bitterness.”
Glassware: IPA glass.
Appearance: Gorgeous mahogany colour with a sumptuous two finger head. It slowly falls away and leaves a wavy lace as it subsides.
Aroma: Waves of blood orange, ruby grapefruit, pine resins and sweet plum supported by a rich, toasty and chewy toffee malt. As it settles the malt sweetness becomes much more caramelised and brings out hints of jam drop biscuits, berry compote and fruit chutney. Excellent aroma with real depth to it.
Flavour: It comes on with a hefty hop bitterness fuelled by acidic grapefruit and citrus rind. All the while that caramel malt sweetness builds in the background. The mid is all toffee and caramel with a gentle roast which meets more citrus, pine and spice in the drawn out finish.
Mouthfeel: There’s a bit of chew to it and the 50 IBU provides a hefty dryness. Medium body with the 6.5% AbV relatively well concealed.
Overall: Balance is the key with red IPA’s and they’ve struck it nicely here. A fine offering from Green Beacon.