Our Score: 95/100
Discovering the Tropical Delight: Bend Brewing Tropic Pines IPA
Honestly, I was a bit skeptical at first about trying Bend Brewing’s Tropic Pines IPA. Given the tropical and piney description, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. However, I am thrilled to say that this brew completely blew me away.
Aroma – A Nose Full of Wonders
My first encounter with the Tropic Pines IPA was a sensory encounter. We score it an impressive 12 given its strikingly resinous pine aroma. Not just an ordinary pine scent, but one that carried a somewhat sticky note which drew me in. It was clearly telling that the brewers certainly didn’t skimp on the Simcoe, Mosaic and Falconer’s Flight hops, all responsible for the signature aroma.
Appearance – Quite the Looker
We must talk about the appearance that scores a solid 3. The Tropic Pines IPA, of course, isn’t just pleasing to the nose. It has this captivating appearance boasting as deep a personality as its aroma and flavor.
Flavor – Pleasure in Every Sip
This brew steps up in the flavor department as well, scoring a whopping 19. At first sip, you’d experience a burst of orange, grape, and quite surprisingly, a dash of green pepper. The uniqueness doesn’t stop there. As the bitterness blooms proudly on your tongue, it never dares to overpower the other flavors. In fact, it beautifully works in tandem with them, providing a balance that few other IPAs quite achieve. The finish is particularly worth mentioning. The bitter resin note sticks around long enough to leave a pleasant reminder of the tropical journey you just undertook.
Mouthfeel – Sip it, Don’t Shot it!
Scoring a 5, Bend Brewing’s Tropic Pines IPA shines once again when it comes to the mouthfeel. What struck me was the strong malt balance which plays a considerable supportive role to the beer, underpinning all the other bold flavors and also providing a smooth delivery system for them.
Summing up the Experience – A Bevy of Balance and Surprise
Our editors thought it was worth mentioning the “sweaty locker-room funk” initially detected, supposedly summing up dank and citrus notes. This actually settles into a warm, slightly sweeter flavor as it dances on the taste buds. The finishing bitterness brilliantly scrubs your palate for the next sip, making each sip as refreshing and enjoyable as the previous one.
This beer has a way of pulling you in, sip by sip, until before you know it, you’ve reached the end of your glass and are reaching for another.
Final Verdict
All in all, Bend Brewing’s Tropic Pines IPA is a superb creation, tastefully brewed with English base malt and a courageous blend of aromatic hops. True to its name, it dominates with a punch of tropical fruit and pine. It may start a bit sweaty and funky, but give it a moment and it rewards you with a heartwarming mixture of sweetness, citrus, and pine.
The Scoreboard
Total: 95/100
Aroma: 12
Appearance: 3
Flavor: 19
Mouthfeel: 5
So, to all the craft beer enthusiasts out there, make sure to take the time and find this brewery. Every sip is well worth it
The bitter hop bite that quickly transforms into a tropical fruit delight, evoking a feeling of being on a sandy beach somewhere in the Caribbean. The blend of piney and fruity flavors is truly a tropical delight worth experiencing.
I have to say, Bend Brewing’s Tropic Pines IPA truly exceeded my expectations and I highly recommend giving it a try. The perfect combination of aroma, appearance, and flavor make it a standout beer and one of my new favorites. Cheers to a fantastic score of 95/100!
A burst of tropical fruits like mango, pineapple, and passion fruit, which are then followed by a wave of piney bitterness. The combination was surprisingly refreshing and had me going back for more.
Overall, I was thoroughly impressed by Bend Brewing’s Tropic Pines IPA. With a highly appealing aroma, beautiful appearance, and a flavor that is both refreshing and complex, it’s no wonder it scores a near-perfect 95 out of 100. Definitely a must-try for any beer lover!