Carmanah is a vibrant West Coast IPA that showcases a masterful blend of Vic Secret, Amarillo, and El Dorado hops. The sensory journey is led by Vic Secret, which delivers bold layers of tropical pineapple and passion fruit. These exotic notes are brightened by Amarillo and El Dorado, contributing zesty grapefruit and orange peel nuances. A firm, resinous backbone provides classic structural depth, grounding the fruitiness. The malt profile is intentionally lean and clean, ensuring the hop intensity remains the focus. This 7% ale concludes with an assertive bitterness and a dry, lingering finish that epitomizes the crispness of the style.
Appearance.Medium gold with brilliant clarity; features a medium-sized, persistent white head that leaves decorative lacing on the glass.
Aroma.High intensity hop aroma featuring prominent pineapple, passion fruit, and citrus zest. A clean, low grainy maltiness supports the hops, accompanied by a distinct resinous and piney character. Esters are low and fermentation is clean.
Taste.The initial impression is hop-forward with pineapple and tropical fruit flavors. The mid-palate introduces grapefruit and orange zest bitterness. Bitterness is medium-high to assertive, balanced by a neutral, cracker-like malt base. The finish is dry with a long-lasting, resinous hop aftertaste.
Mouthfeel.Medium-light body with medium-high carbonation, providing a crisp and effervescent mouthfeel. A smooth, subtle alcohol warmth is present but well-integrated, with no astringency.