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!

Barebottle Brew Co. 'Unicorn Dust' New England IPA. 6.7% abv. 30 IBU. Hazy pale yellow. Finger of white soapy Head. Excellent retention, superb lace. Nose of grapefruit, lemon rind, bright herbal spice, mild vanilla. Spicy complex mosaic hop bouquet blooms greatly as temp rises.

Front taste of juicy grapefruit, cloves, fresh ground allspice. Aftertaste is all mosaic, with abundant bright herbal-floral hops mingling with bittersweet citrus. Dry finish. Medium body. Mouthfeel is cool, round, resiny, carby.

This is a wonderful IPA, one that more than delivers on the promise of a myriad of colorful flavors. The big mosaic hop bill is a perfect compliment to the hazy, unfiltered wort that makes a New England IPA. Citrus notes pop, layered in a juicy grapefruit-lemon foundation, with ample spice throughout. This is the best N.E. IPA I’ve had yet. Highly recommended.

From the brewery:

"It's said that Unicorns had special powers to make water drinkable -- and we absolutely agree, Unicorn Dust is unconscionably smooth. Brewed with rainbow Mosaic hops giving notes of peach, blueberry, tangerine, and papaya."
[source: barebottle.com]

"Magically smooth ale with an explosion of rainbow mosaic hops aroma."
[source: bottle]