Good start to the experience with some humor on the outside of the bottle (non-twist cap says “Tools Required”), and when opened, the insides smell promising. And i was not misled. This is a mighty fine IPA. Rounded beer body gives a rich creamy dimension to the hops side of the equation, without tamping down the tartness. In fact, there’s nothing getting in the way of these hops. They don’t brag about species or blends of hops on the packaging, Full Sail just does it. It does claim that the IPA is “Ridiculously Tasty” but it’s not bragging if it’s true.
Not a sipper’s IPA, i felt zero guilt about greedily gulping this one down, and it was not even a hot day. Luckily, at a reasonable 6.0% alk, there’s nothing for a gulper to fear. Very well balanced taste sockets: low sweetness, high hops, real wort flavor survives the brewing. Highly recommend this one even though i don’t want to, it’s an East-West thing. Full Sail is from Oregon and i’m in New York, so naturally i’ll root for my peeps. Not as bad as a Biggie/Tupac feud, but this Oregonian winner evens the battle for tops in hops.
The previous 3 were Smuttynose Finestkind from Maine and Sam Adams’s 48ยบ from Boston, and Sierra Nevada’s Hop Hunter IPA out of Cali. Now with another West Coaster in the elevated echelon, we’re all even, Steven.
Thank god they don’t brew good beer in Missouri, ahem, or we’d be headed towards another messy Compromise, and we all know how the first one turned out. Full Sail’s IPA rates a 9.2 on my tastebuds, and those buds may not be for you.