An IPA from Wicked Wine and Stefan Gustavsson
A collaboration between Wicked Wine, Stefan Gustavsson and Sigtuna Brygghus 6.8% ABV. Systembolaget Article Number 1616. 32.80 SEK (500ml bottle)
A hazy golden amber colour. Looks like slight unfiltered apple juice. Nice frothy white head like freshly whipped pancake mix.
Hmmm. Wasn't expecting this....there's a very bready dough, yeasty sort of vibe coming through that I don't associate with IPAs, particularly American-style ones. I was expecting a hit of sharp citrus fruits to underline this beer's summer credentials but the nose is a little blunt. It's as though someone's turned the smell volume down. Yes I get some creamy lemon, yes I get some freshly-cut pine and yes there's a spoonful of Ben and Jerry Caramel Chew Chew ice cream in there too. But no, it's not enough for me. Tamest nose of the trilogy.
The restrained smells give way to a restrained tasting IPA. There's some nice dried apricot flavours upfront. It's more orangey fruit than it is all grape and tropical as you'd expect from a US IPA. The three types of hops used to dry-hop this beer come into play in the mid-section, giving a satisfyingly stinging hop bite. Overall it just didn't taste as fresh as I'd have hoped. It was a little 'woody'. I wanted the equivalent of taking a big bite out of a young granny smith apple, full of juicy green sharpness. This was like chewing on the apple stem.
I'm going with the beer maker's own advice here - a solid BBQ beer and to enjoy with substantial salads with, for example, feta cheese. Spot on!
Nerd note
Perhaps I'm a little negative because I'm disappointed. The Rye Mohawk was more interesting than WOW but was a strong start to the trilogy. Then came the game-changer - the stunning Mohawk Extra IPA that made my eyes water; both with tears of joy and because of the 127 IBUs it seared my tongue and throat with by using 7 different types of hops. So my expectations were high for the summer finale. Perhaps too high. I assumed this beer would burst with fresh, light, citrusy tones but it tasted not so much of summer as autumn - earthy, fruity and woody. Don't get me wrong this is a very tasty beer but I was expecting Tommy Sjöberg and I got Peter Jöback, It's pretty but it lacks that extra bit of power.
Rating
0.6 of 5
Bummer :/
Maybe it’s just me Dempa -or maybe it’s the unusual choice of Palisade hops that smothers the citrus action. Will be interesting to read your reaction to it.
Hmm.
Yeah Palisade is a bit unusual and I cannot recollect any really outstanding usage of this aroma hop. The Mikkeller single version was not a top contender. But I am dubious whether it actually contributed all that much to the overall impression. It is after all a medium AA variety for the aroma purpose and you mentioned Simcoe and Magnum as being part of the happy kettle family in this brew.
I am a little bit out of touch with what Yakima is up to, but Palisade was originally intended for lager brewing, so maybe it is not the best idea. Points for trying though.
Will pick up bottle later on and see for myself, but you have certainly lowered my expectations.
/fred
@Fred – great comment! I’m not really sure but just didn’t think Palisade bought that much to the table, being slightly more ‘old world’ in aroma and flavour profile than the other two more aggressive and obvious US hops. That’s why I wondered if it merely ‘hid’ some of the fresh grape and tropical fruit character I normally associate with a US IPA. Anyway, as you pointed out, it’s great that brewers are more and more open to experimenting with different hops right now!
But please give it a try and let me know what you think of it!