After opening their winter limited release series with not one, not two, but [three stouts of increasing intensity])https://craftypint.com/beer/9861/3-ravens-black-23-black-on-black-and-conspiracy-vi), you could argue that, even at 7 percent ABV and 65 IBUs of bitterness, Hello Dankness represents something of a palate cleanser. The West Coast IPA hosts a cavalcade of American and Aussie hops – Centennial, Citra, Simcoe, Strata and Galaxy – in traditional T90 form as well as newer advanced versions (Cryo, Incognito, Spectrum) designed to boost aromatics and hop-derived flavours. And it slots nicely into the Thornbury brewery's approach to such beers: pale, clear, lean and dry.
Indeed, it's as crystal clear as any paid-up member of the Make IPA Clear Again gang could wish for, and delivers its goods with an equally clean and refined touch too. There's some modern mandarin and grapefruit fruitiness upfront, and elements reminiscent of the IPAs of yore – earthy, dank, spicy – all layered over a mighty tight body and an equally honed bitterness. Lovely stuff.
James Smith
Published July 10, 2023 2023-07-10 00:00:00
