“LA wunderkinds, Monkish, offer up a masterclass in the kind of luscious IPA that has helped to make them famous. There’s more than a little West Coast swagger to this East Coast hazy, with Golden Promise malt, three types of oats and a massive double dose of Galaxy, Citra, Strata and Freestyle Rakau hops.”

Glassware: IPA.

Appearance: Oh so turbid. It’s got that lovely blend of pastel yellow and orange with a fluffy two finger head which slowly reduces and leaves a wet lace on the glass.

Aroma: Proper fruit salad happening here. Picking up a heady scent of nectar initially then followed by a good dose of sweet stonefruits like apricot, papaya and peach. Some tropicals like mango and passionfruit, soft peppery citrus, coconut, chalky oats, vines, some weedy/dank herbals and a touch of pine. Nice and dry malt profile; bready, oaty and crusty. Very impressive.

Flavour: Instantly we can tell a world class American brewery has had a big hand in this. The intensity but overall balance that is struck is phenomenal. It comes on with this soft pillowy juicy-ness which fans out to that fruit salad character we were talking about in the aroma. There’s a nice bitterness midway which is softened by the fruity and oat-driven finish. Excellent length too.

Mouthfeel: Creamy, pillowy and really well rounded. Just the right amount of bitterness to cut through it. Finely carbonated, medium body. 8% ABV is fairly well concealed.

Overall: For one of us Hopheads Monkish is an all time fave. Not only are their NEIPA’s some of the best in the world but their sours and dark beers are also top notch. Excellent NEIPA here…it’s creamy, fruity and perfectly balanced with a bit of bite. Cracking drop.