Bright, medium amber, with a thick head. Hops are orangey, mushroomy on the nose, some pine. Not knocking me out. On the palate, this comes across quite a bit better. First, I appreciate the unstinting bitterness and slightly caramelly malt. That malt choice, not sure it's the best with Riwaka, since I typically do prefer all pale malt with NZ hops. Needs a touch of linalool. Well-balanced, I love the bitter citrus finish. Give me a Trail Guide series with the same structure, different hops, and I'll know the road to Sidekick by heart. This structure, with Chinook, Centennial (esp. Michigan Centennial), NZ Cascade, CTZ, Galaxy, or Syrian Dragon I swear would be the shit.

473mL can, pours a clear copper with a medium white head. Nose is all Riwaka—damn I love this hop—with tons of white wine, melon, and a sort of spicy piney gooseberry character, with a thin biscuity malt base. Flavour is just as satisfying, with assertively bitter pine, gooseberry, white wine tang, melon, and a crisp biscuity malt. Fantastic Riwaka expression, with an assertively bitter finish, and great structure/balance. Definitely the best Sidekick beer I’ve had to date, and one of the best new BC (WC)IPAs in quite some time.

Golden-amber, thick head. Bright, minty, mandarin and rambutan. Lots of bitterness, clean biscuity malt base. Leans towards that same mint/citrus. Solid work. We need more of this type of thing around here.