New Belgium Brewing 1985 IPA

“The nose is dank and earthy, but fairly muted. Light floral, resin, and pineapple. Medium malt, high firm bitterness. The flavor pivots to a dark, resinous pine paired with a little toasty malt and resin, pepper, light diesel, and orange or grapefruit citrus. Bitterness builds in the aftertaste.”

Grapefruit, tangerine, onion, green pepper—diesel and garlic as it warms. Light malt flavor; sweetness complements bitterness and flavors of tangerine, pineapple, guava. Light must and subtle mushroom emerge. Finishes on the bitter side.

__Aroma:__ “A whole fruit salad of aromas: big orange and pine up front with some pineapple and apricot/peach beneath. Some grapefruit and lemon, and strawberry with a bit of blueberry. Very subtle bready malt.” __Flavor:__ “Clean, hoppy, fairly bitter. Fruity notes of lemon and grapefruit, strawberry, and tropical fruit dominate the palate with some nice piney complexity in the background. Malt bready sweetness, like Belgian waffles. Some grassy earthiness adds complexity. The hops are showcased and are carried with some assertive bitterness that hits, carries through the finished taste, and lingers.” __Overall:__ “Love the tropical fruit notes, and the complexity of the hops profile and flavors is enjoyable. The bitterness was present and carried through but was refreshing. Very drinkable. The aroma on this beer is very cool. The strawberry character is novel.”