Ecliptic Brewing Seventh Orbit
What the brewers say
Raspberries, along with Enigma and Ariana hops, blend perfectly with a touch of chocolate in a smooth golden ale.
What our panel thought
Shining raspberries and chocolate bass note in the nose set an expectation for sweet, rich. and decadent. In the flavor, raspberry tartness, chocolate bitterness, and resinous pine clash rather than coalesce. Vegetal undertone, fruit astringency. Tart, bitter finish confuses things.
What our editors thought
Intensely sweet berries-and-chocolate nose. The malty core dominates the sip with a slight bitter-chocolate edge. The lack of acidity undermines the fruit. Compelling aroma builds expectations that go unmet.