North Peak Brewing Co.
Traverse City, MI
Available: MI
Nestled between the east and west arms of Grand Traverse Bay, North Peak Brewing Co. brings together the nearly 50 years of experience of brewers Mike Hall and Ron Jeffries.
ABV: 6.7
ABW: 5.3
Bitterness: 67
Original gravity: 1066
If there’s such a thing as breakfast beer, this is it. The pale copper-colored ale has a massive citrus/grapefruit aroma with a popcorn grain note and floral hops. Tart bittersweet fruit dominates the mouth, but is well balanced by juicy malt and tangy hops. The finish begins bittersweet, but dryness builds from malt and hops while citrus fruit continues to a make a big impact. A wonderfully refreshing beer.
Orange-amber with a slight haze, the head is substantial enough to unfurl the aromas that I am hoping for. The full-on, resinous nose is impressive. Grapefruit is front and center, pine woods come later, and finally some notes of peppermint candy and tropical fruit. The body is pretty slender, the flavor heavy on grapefruit and pine with just enough caramel sweetness to add some depth. Some more malt backbone here would offset the juicy hops nicely, but this IPA is decently crafted, and should make the hopheads smile. The hop aroma and flavor are spot on for the style.
Roger Protz is the author of Complete Guide to World Beer and 300 Beers to Try Before You Die. He is a respected beer authority and editor of the CAMRA Good Beer Guide.
K. Florian Klemp is an award-winning homebrewer and general hobbyist who thinks there is no more sublime marriage than that of art and science.
