Barebottle Brew Co. 'Muir Woods' IPA

Barebottle Brew Co. 'Muir Woods' IPA. 6.4% abv. 34 IBU. Pale yellow color. Hazy. Two fingers of white foamy head. Outstanding retention and excellent lace. Nose of fresh pine, grapefruit rind, cloves, white pepper, herbal-citrus hops. Aroma is pungent, grabbing my attention immediately, during the pour.

Front taste is grapefruit juice, orange peel, rye bread, pepper, with pine punching through on the back end. Aftertaste is grapefruit rind, abundant herbal hops, cloves, grassy, bitter citrus sustain. Medium body. Mouthfeel is cool, clingy, carby, botanical resin, juicy.

This is a superb IPA with a flavor profile that's a myriad of juicy citrus, tall spice, and a complex basket of bitter herbal and citrus-fruity hops. The hop bill contains six different hop varieties, stepped into the boil at nine different times, resulting in a complex taste that ranges from bitter to spicy to candy sweet. The grain bill has five types of grain, again adding to a complex malt backbone that is less bready and more supportive of the citrus-spice flavors. This is the second beer I've had from this brewery, and they both leave me wanting more. I'm sure to visit their brewery for a flight or two. Well recommended.

From the brewery:

"The Winner of our Muir Woods contest! This is like a citrus-laced pine cone, bursting with notes of pine needles and oranges. Rye malts add liberating spiciness both complex and refreshing."
[source: barebottle.com]

"Like drinking a citrus-laced pine cone. A portion of the proceeds will support Muir Woods National Park."
[source: bottle]

The bottle label includes the homebrew recipe for a 5-gallon batch. Very cool!