Alpine says: "This golden IPA has the addition of rye to enhance the flavor profile and gives it that 'something special.' We use Nelson Sauvin hops from New Zealand, prized for their white wine, fruity flavor. The scent of fresh grapefruit greets you each time you lift your glass." Nelson is a "single" 7% ABV IPA.
I've written about Alpine IPAs before, but it's worth mentioning again that this brewery really excels at their hoppy offerings. Every Alpine IPA I've tried has been complex, balanced, and overall delicious. This is, actually, the first time I've ever tried Nelson! Being the small brewery that they are, Alpine's distribution is very limited, even in southern California, and it's become even more limited since the infamous "Expo incident" (essentially, the people at Alpine think that people from LA like to go out to Alpine, buy their beer, and put it on ebay, so they don't let too much of their beer go to LA or leave the brewery in general anymore.) I'm frustrated by their proclamation, myself, but who am I to tell them what to do with their beer?
Appearance: Nelson is golden orange, with an extremely dense, tall head that leaves tons of tightly-webbed lacing on the sides of the glass and a thin foam layer on top of the beer. The carbonation is visible, and the beer is mostly clear.
Smell: The scents of rye and citrus are front and center, and there is a sweetness present, but it seems to come more from the fruit and floral aromas than from any noticeable malt.
Taste: The first wave of flavor includes a pleasantly sharp punch from the hops, which contribute floral characteristics as well as orange and grapefruit flavors. Then the rye comes in and while the rye flavor is unmistakable, the immediate effect of the flavor is to "round the edges" on the hop profile, so to speak. If the hops are sharp or biting, the rye is smooth and creamy. The notes play together so well. Though flavors from the malt backbone never come to the forefront, there is a sturdiness behind the hops and the rye that comes from a perfect malt balance.
Mouthfeel: Nelson is medium bodied and very creamy, but not slick. I wouldn't say the beer has a dry finish, but a mild spiciness on the back of the palate cuts through the creamy feeling and prevents it from being overpowering or too rich.
Overall: I expect greatness when I'm drinking an Alpine IPA, and Nelson delivered. This is truly a great beer, particularly if you're a fan of rye. My one complaint would be that I would have liked a slightly brighter nose, but the taste and mouthfeel are dead-on. This is excellent.
4.5/5
I've written about Alpine IPAs before, but it's worth mentioning again that this brewery really excels at their hoppy offerings. Every Alpine IPA I've tried has been complex, balanced, and overall delicious. This is, actually, the first time I've ever tried Nelson! Being the small brewery that they are, Alpine's distribution is very limited, even in southern California, and it's become even more limited since the infamous "Expo incident" (essentially, the people at Alpine think that people from LA like to go out to Alpine, buy their beer, and put it on ebay, so they don't let too much of their beer go to LA or leave the brewery in general anymore.) I'm frustrated by their proclamation, myself, but who am I to tell them what to do with their beer?
Appearance: Nelson is golden orange, with an extremely dense, tall head that leaves tons of tightly-webbed lacing on the sides of the glass and a thin foam layer on top of the beer. The carbonation is visible, and the beer is mostly clear.
Smell: The scents of rye and citrus are front and center, and there is a sweetness present, but it seems to come more from the fruit and floral aromas than from any noticeable malt.
Taste: The first wave of flavor includes a pleasantly sharp punch from the hops, which contribute floral characteristics as well as orange and grapefruit flavors. Then the rye comes in and while the rye flavor is unmistakable, the immediate effect of the flavor is to "round the edges" on the hop profile, so to speak. If the hops are sharp or biting, the rye is smooth and creamy. The notes play together so well. Though flavors from the malt backbone never come to the forefront, there is a sturdiness behind the hops and the rye that comes from a perfect malt balance.
Mouthfeel: Nelson is medium bodied and very creamy, but not slick. I wouldn't say the beer has a dry finish, but a mild spiciness on the back of the palate cuts through the creamy feeling and prevents it from being overpowering or too rich.
Overall: I expect greatness when I'm drinking an Alpine IPA, and Nelson delivered. This is truly a great beer, particularly if you're a fan of rye. My one complaint would be that I would have liked a slightly brighter nose, but the taste and mouthfeel are dead-on. This is excellent.
4.5/5
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