In a blind tasting by BJCP trained experts, this beer rated

86

Fort George Brewery The Optimist

Aroma: “Some fruity citrus character with orange, pineapple, slight pine, green onion, garlic, grapefruit, and pine trees... what an interesting forest this is!”

Flavor: “More spring onions, garlic, citrus, and pine. A slight caramel sweetness offers support and rounds out the body. Nice creamy mouthfeel and a smooth bitterness. Aftertaste is dank, mostly with slight onion. As it warms the bready sweetness comes up a little with slight citrus notes.”

Overall: “This beer is well integrated, and the sweetness to bitterness provide a good balance, nishing slightly bitter in the end to keep you going back for another sip. An unusual IPA, but that doesn’t mean a bad IPA. Consumers looking for something to challenge the palate will appreciate the interesting combination of flavors this beer has to offer. Don’t judge it by the initial aroma or the first sip. Give it some time: It may just grow on you.”

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