A Year of Craft Beer, Vol. 118, Evil Genius Evil Eye PA

Hey Everyone!

Today was a total success for the May Fair in Mayfair and for Lucky 13 Homebrew club as we signed up ten potential new members and brewed an Innocuous Pale Ale as well!  We had a great time and made lots of new friends!

Tonight's addition to the Evil Genius Week is an Eye PA!  It's an American IPA which is a spinoff of the classic English IPA (India Pale Ale) which back in the day was heavily hopped to keep the beer from spoiling on the long voyage by sailing vessel to the Indian colonies where the hierarchy of the English Army would enjoy a stronger more delicious version of the beer and the army grunts would get a watered down version.  American versions of the IPA are more liberal with the hops (citrus tasting varieties are popular) and or maltiness with perhaps fuller bodies.

On first glance you can see how carbonated this beer was.  It, like last night's fare, was explosive out to the bottle.

I poured this beer at about 60 degrees and it was and exceptionally beautiful and clear amber colour with well over 3 fingers of head which settles to a full finger for the entire drink and leaves a nice sticky lacing on the glass.

The aroma is very hop forward floral and citrusy with a strong mix of pale malt sweetness and honey.  This has to be one of the best smelling beers that I have ever had!

The taste is really mellow and sweet to begin with and handsomely the bittering hops take the lead by time the sip is finished.  It's very well balanced with some notes of citrus and pepper.

The mouthfeel is a bit hot from carbonation which is noticeable on the tip of the tongue immediately but then it smooths out but leaves you hanging a little as it is a bit thin.  The finish is fairly dry but not overly so.

This beer has some excellent points and some that seem like they need work.  The aroma is just off the wall gorgeous, the flavour a bit average and the body too thin and carbonated.  It is exceedingly sessionable though and truthfully, I would seek this out again, especially on tap as the carbonation might be different.  This is a good beer!

If I could make all the beer drinking world love craft beer, then my job here is done.

-Wiss