This is a beer Kees has made a few of times before, and now seems to roll out as a seasonal at the end of the European summer. We are now up to batch number 5, and it timed in without last container so we get to try something hoppy from Kees which is a rare thing.
As the name would suggest (and the label says anyway!) Kees is designating this beer as a West Coast IPA. Not trying to be a contrarian, but I reckon the ABV is a bit light on for a WCIPA. Maybe that’s why the beer industry made up the ‘XPA’ beer style that I find so redundant!
Whatever we are going to call it, the aroma is a lovely hit of tropical fruits.
And that is exactly what you get in the taste. Loads of orange citrus, mango, pineapple, grapefruit and a little pine mixed in. The fruit sweetness is supported by a crisp grainy malt body that lends a lively mouthfeel.
There is a degree of bitterness there, but by no means aggressive. Again, maybe not really in the West Coast range of bitterness, but it makes for a really enjoyable beer. I’ve had more than a couple of these since they arrived – just to make sure my tasting notes are accurate, of course!