No-Li Taster Flight

No-Li, Spokane, WA – Taster Flight

Stars: 1-4.5
Date sampled: August 11, 2014
Format: 4oz tasters - on tap
Where we found it: No-Li Brewhouse, Spokane, WA (Review)

We dove into a six-beer taster flight. Here’s what we thought:

Cream Ale: 4 stars. Crisp, clean refreshing, better than most cream ales, buttery flavor. For only 22 IBUs, it has a nice bitter linger. Nice mouth feel.
Stats: 4.25% AVB, 22 IBUS

Summer Wheat: 1 star. No nose, no flavor, nothing remarkable going on…it will do for a hot day.

Empire No. 8 Session IPA: 3.5 stars. Light-medium body, very hoppy linger, tastes bigger than it is…tastes like one of our creations, “Hoppy Little B.”
Stats: 5.5% ABV, 67 IBUs

Born & Raised IPA: 4.5 stars. No nose, much more malt balanced both in mouth feel and slightly roasted taste. Very satisfying.
Stats: 7% ABV, 85 IBUs

Jet Star Imperial IPA: 1.5 stars, no nose, sour tangy linger, tastes less hoppy than Born & Raised despite 115 IBU. Also, the mouthfeel makes it seems than it is, but its intense alcoholic hotness makes it very clear that its 8.1% Bleh!
Stats: 8.1% ABV, 115 IBUs

Wrecking Ball Imperial Stout: 3.5 stars. Nose of chocolaty tobacco, very creamy mouth feel but on the thin side as well (in a pleasant way). Dangerous - very easy to drink for its 9.5 % ABV.
Stats: 9.5% ABV, 100 IBUs 

In summary, No-Li does the beers they do well, very well. But when it comes to experimentation, they often miss the mark.

Urban Family Low Hanging Fruit

Urban Family Brewing, Ballard, WA – Low Hanging Fruit (IPA) 

Stars: 2
Date sampled: March 16, 2014
Format: Pint on tap
Where we found it: Urban Family Brewing, Ballard, WA (review)

Grassy and fruity (grapefruit, passion fruit, and mango notes). Boring IPA – not really sure what to call it. Belgian funk in the nose with rounded Belgian yeastiness in the finish.

- Megan

Stats: 6.9% “Dry Bodied IPA”

Fort George Vortex IPA

Fort George Brewery, Astoria, Oregon – Vortex IPA

Stars: 4
Date sampled: Feb 11, 2014
Format: 16 oz. can
Where I found it: Metropolitan Market, Sand Point Location, Seattle

Ahh, now that’s better. Our last beer review was of Fort George’s rather disappointing OPA (Oatmeal Pale Ale). But the folks at Fort George have totally redeemed themselves with today’s brew – the Vortex IPA.

Immediately upon cracking the can on this one, you’ll notice an incredibly pleasant and impressively intense hop aroma with strong notes of melon present.

One of the most interesting things about this brew is the way in which it evolves over time. The mouthfeel has a medium consistency, and the beginning of the finish is pretty crisp and clean. But soon after the initial finish, a bitterness creeps in and continues to grow in a surprising way. Those who are a fan of the bitter will want to seek out this one if not just for its impressive linger.

An all-around solid IPA (and one that doesn’t taste quite as big as its 7.7% ABV)…and the nice golden amber color certainly doesn’t hurt the experience either.

Nicely done, George.

-Sam

Stats: 7.7% ABV / 97 IBU

Island Hoppin' Elwha Rock IPA

Island Hoppin' Brewery, Orcas Island, WA – Elwha Rock IPA

Stars: 4.5 
Date sampled: January 24, 2014
Format: Pint on tap
Where I found it: Island Hoppin' Brewery (Review)

Not for the faint of heart. Hoppy nose! Hoppy flavor! Super-hoppy bitter!  Great malt balance. Medium mouthfeel. Incredibly aromatic nose. Lingers for days. Beautiful bronze color with great clarity. It’s a hop bomb that is dropped with precision.