Colonial Brewing Co Crosby, Stills and Mash IIPA

Colonial Brewing Co’s latest Project Beer riffs on late 60s/early 70s supergroup Crosby, Stills and Nash in a way that not only neatly draws together the collaborative efforts of this gin infused double IPA but also offers a handy reference point for how the elements come together, in this case in the glass rather than via counterculture-inspiring vocal harmonic dexterity.

Using the Idaho 7 hop variety from Oregon’s Crosby Hop Farm and some Willamette atop a relatively lean and slightly cloudy West Coast IPA base has allowed the tropical and citrus aromas and flavours to guide the beer. The addition of Starward’s Bathtub Gin to the mash is distinctly evident in the botanical aromas, juniper particularly noticeable, and no doubt helped push the booze level to 7.5 percent ABV, although this never feels like a backstage tantrum. Instead, it’s warm, cohesive and intriguing, deserving of headline billing.

Guy Southern

Published May 3, 2018 2018-05-03 00:00:00