Otter Hoppy Otter

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

A somewhat soft pour into my 25cl tulip glass produces a two-finger thick, pale tan colored head. The beer is a reddish amber color that shows an almost brilliantly clear, faintly orange tinged, red-copper hue when held up to the light. The aroma is nicely hoppy and expressive enough to be noticeable as I am visually inspecting the beer. Aromas of orange zest, milk-weed, a definite herbal edge and some grassiness. This has a sharp, grassy / herbal note that doesn't quite work, but it is muted enough that it doesn't hold back the aroma too much.

This has a nice, soft mouthfeel to it that is picked up just a bit by a tickle of carbonation. Distinct flavors of freshly grated orange zest is backed by a grassy / herbal hop component. The malt, which definitely plays a secondary role here, provides a touch of caramelized sweetness that accentuates both the citrus notes and a touch of berry like flavors, it also picks up a touch of toffee in the finish along with a soft, toasty grain note. The beer finishes with a slightly green, sort of mint-like, lingering hop bitterness that is fairly soft for an American IPA, but is at perfect levels to provide a hop focused balance to the finish of this beer. I really like the texture of this beer, it has a light carbonation (especially by American standard), which really helps to boost the velvety texture of this beer.

A tasty beer, and it is perhaps the hoppiest beer I have had out of England (this last isn't saying much as my experience is woefully inadequate in this regard). The hop notes seem a touch green around the edges and this detracts just a bit; a touch more sharp, almost astringent and under-ripe somehow than I would prefer.

Purchased: Plaza Liquors, Tucson AZ