Style: IPA (Hazy Double)

ABV: 9.5

95/100

Aroma:	11
Appearance:	3
Flavor:	20
Mouthfeel:	4

Cruz Blanca Brewery Freetown

What the brewers say

“Powerful, hazy, dank, and fruity tropical expression of Citra Cryo, El Dorado, and Vic Secret hops.”

What our panel thought

“Initial blast of raspberry and tea aroma, accented by passion fruit, blackberry, orange, and subtle lavender. On the palate, pronounced malt sweetness balances snappy citrus, black tea, blackberry, cherry, with hints of pine, cedar, and subtle earth. Seamless. Warmth in the finish suggests alcoholic heft, yet well-balanced, pleasant, dangerous.”

What our editors thought

“Exuberant nose with light melon, kiwi, tangerine. The sip dips into midtones with rustic orange, yet maintains the light, juicy tone.”

Review printed in: The IPA Issue: Cold IPA, New West Coast, Hop Saturation & More (August-September 2022) (View All Issues)

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REVIEWS FOR YOU >

Cruz Blanca Brewery Vidamiga

“A very inviting nose nicely balances sour bread and citrus, and the flavor is a perfect harmony of sweet and sour raw bread dough with a firm but restrained earthy citrus finish. Earthy lime notes with hints of ginger and mint in the aroma give way to a flavor profile that adds a hint of salinity and smokiness to the mojito-like lime and ginger notes. A touch of pine-like bitterness coupled with a bright acidity carries through into the finish.”

Cruz Blanca Brewery 2020 Rey Cuvée

“Nose is wine-like, spicy, earthy, with dark chocolate, bit of spirit, caramel, hints of apricot. The smooth, creamy sip is sweet chocolate with some umami, big toffee, lots of dark fruit, dark molasses.”

Cruz Blanca Brewery Smoke Alley

“A light bready note starts off the aroma, then earthy and dank hop notes are complemented by a light dose of smoke with hints of lemon. The smoke notes carry through into the light bready flavor and add a savory character that complements the bittersweet profile. Hints of lemony citrus and and green tea add further layers. Medium-low bittering fits in well with everything else. It all finds a way to come together and work.”

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