Crooked Stave Mandarin Dream
What the brewers say
"A delicious spring IPA we’ve paired with Mandarin citrus and citrus-forward hops, with a little kiss of vanilla to create a nice orange-Creamsicle-esque IPA."
What our panel thought
"Sweet citrus on the nose; earthy wheat. Pleasant citrus, sweet caramel, echoes of vanilla. Hint of residual sweetness fades to a dry, grassy finish. Hops balance well against fruity complexity. Good Creamsicle IPA."
What our editors thought
"Dominant citrus-flesh nose; bits of leaf, oily peel, grassy hops. The sip is clunky, with a malt-forward, bitter-citronella body. As that hit wears off, a peppery-orange spicy warmth sets in to brings it back around."