I’ll admit, I haven’t had many Green Beacon beers since 2018. (I lived in Sydney for a while. Cut me some slack.) But my memory of this seasonal release is of a laid-back, refreshing IPA that acted as a gentler cousin of some of Green Beacon’s punchier offerings. And when I hear "Green Beacon" and "blood orange", my mind immediately goes to the zesty and assertive Whaler, the occasional release that has always held a special place in my heart.
This year’s Scrimshaw Blood Orange Hazy IPA? A 50/50 blend of 2018 Scrimshaw and Whaler.
There’s a huge blend of hops – Cascade, Citra, Talus and Centennial LUPOMAX – bringing a delightful medley of flavours including papaya, honey, and the freshness of melon mingling with the sweetness of Allen’s Strawberries & Cream. But these flavours are at no point left to stand on their own, as the spirit of a thousand blood oranges infuses each sip.
The opacity is high (is orange nectar a thing?). The bitterness is surprisingly low, though there is some zesty bitterness. The expectations are exceeded.
Mick Wüst
Published October 25, 2022 2022-10-25 00:00:00
