Beer Review: Our Mutual Friend Brewing Time’s Arrow
They say a good beer is as good as the company you share it with, and Our Mutual Friend Brewing Company seems to grasp the essence of that sentiment with their newest masterpiece called Time’s Arrow. Touted as a West Coast IPA, this brew is crafted with a carefully curated recipe featuring Colorado Malting Company malt and an eclectic mix of hops — Idaho 7, Citra, and Colorado-grown Cascade hops. The result? A beer experience that goes beyond the casual drink with friends, putting you firmly in beer connoisseur territory.
Make An Impression
Right from the pour, Time’s Arrow impresses with a golden and bright appearance, crowned by a head that retains excellently. Moderate diesel-and-resin hop aroma dominates the olfactory experience, followed by gentle whiffs of tropical hints, and rounded out by a touch of bready malt. True to the words of our tasting panels, the body of this beer is commendable, accompanied by a remarkable consistency of carbonation.
The True Test: Taste
Once you get past the aromatics, you’re treated to a delectable melee of flavors on the palate. What follows suit is a brilliant transformation of the hops into a more resinous pine avatar, coupled with a smoothly escalating bitterness. The malts pitch in with a delicate undertone of biscuit and pie crust, taking the flavor profile to another level. The characteristic aroma weaves itself seamlessly into the flavor, with beautifully rounded tones of garlic, diesel, and resin.
Tropical Ride
The hint of the tropics in the beer is beautifully realized in the light pineapple and mango hop flavors. The sweetness of these tropical flavors is balanced out perfectly by the moderate malt sweetness; creating an exquisite beer that caters to a variety of taste preferences. The finish is mostly dry, with hops perfectly in tune with malt and bitterness. The flavors dance around in the aftertaste, bowing out at the perfect moment.
Editor’s Slice
Our editors were quite taken in by the crisp, modern profile of Time’s Arrow and its clean malt structure. The bright, bitter tropical fruit notes hit you, but not overwhelmingly so – it’s precise, uncomplicated yet demonstrating fine craftsmanship. There’s an irresistible spicy-herbal mango tone that provides a novel, toothy edge. A strong, yet incredibly smooth tropically tinged bitterness strikes the perfect balance, ensuring it doesn’t go overboard.
In conclusion, Time’s Arrow is a brilliant concoction from Our Mutual Friend Brewing Company that guarantees a great brewing experience for craft beer lovers.
