7.9

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7.5

Multiple samples of this at the 2009 Parkville Microbrew Fest. Pour is mostly clear copper reddish with a nice, lasting, off white head. Even in the small tasting glass, there was decent lacing. Aroma of citrus orange and lemon hops, along with pine needles, and a nice complex dose of earthy somewhat sweet Belgian yeastiness in the back of the nose. The Belgian yeast really complimented the fresh hoppiness, and was excellently balanced. The taste is the aforementioned hop flavors, along with a very nice backbone of caramel sweet maltiness, and the Belgian earthy yeastiness. The bitterness showed back up in the finish, which was clean and brief. Palate is medium, though still quite drinkable. This was certainly my favorite beer I had at the fest, and likely my favorite of these Belgian style IPA’s I have had. Who woulda thunk?