Alaskan Brewing Co. Icy Bay IPA

“Light Earl Grey tea and wort aroma. The hop aroma is a bit muted, but the flavor delivers the hops and has a medium level of supporting bitterness. Clean and refreshing with medium-high carbonation and a semidry finish.”

**Aroma:** “A fruity nose with hints of black currant and boysenberries. Some herbal, anise-like presence. Dank, catty hops character dominates.” **Flavor:** “A definitive malt presence that is well-balanced by an assertive, but not overpowering bitterness. Some corn-chip flavors detract. The hoppiness is much like the aroma with lots of berries and herbs. Light but discernable off flavors of acetaldehyde and DMS and a light metallic finish. The expected hops flavors are there—pine, lemon, grapefruit—but a difficult tannic and astringent note competes with the more pleasant flavors.” **Overall:** “The malt/hop balance is right, but the hops flavors lack complexity and feel dated (not wholly enjoyable) while the corn flavor detracts from the overall experience. Finishes slightly astringent and bitter in a way that hints of issues with fermentation and malt.”

**Aroma:** “Spicy hops character—some wet earth notes. Pine needles and grape must. A touch of funk and a bit of honey. Herbal/grassy hops aroma with some earthy elements. There’s a touch of candy sweetness and fruity esters (light bubblegum).” **Flavor:** “Hops flavor is resinous and tongue tingling. Medium malt backbone suf ciently supports hops. Notes of pine, earth, damp leaves, some must, and grass. The touch of light caramel sweetness is nice. A bit of pucker in the dry, bitter finish. Subsequent sips yield more hops tastes—grassy, woody—but the bitterness grows with each sip. Moderate fruity esters and a touch of malt sweetness, but mostly buried under the hops.” **Overall:** “Lots of flavor without being overwhelming. If I didn’t know it was a session IPA, it could pass as a full-strength IPA. Concentrates on the earthy and grassy more than the fruity and citrusy. A bit of funk both in the flavor and aroma adds complexity and interest.”