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Frontman IPA

Colorado
United States
Frontman IPA by Black Shirt Brewing Co
Judges Ratings 
1 Review
92
Aroma:
22 / 24
Flavor:
36 / 40
Appearance:
6 / 6
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20
Description 

"A mic'd up, hoppy, and loud IPA" - Frontman IPA is an American IPA with a decidedly different approach - we focus our efforts on hop aroma and flavor as opposed to bitterness, creating a delicious and approachable IPA filled with tropical fruit characters like mango, pineapple, and passion fruit and undertones of fresh cut pine and juicy citrus. This beer comes in a 6 pack for a reason; you'll want more than one!

Beverage Profile
ABV: 
7.2%
IBUs: 
75
Served at: 
45º
Hops: 
Chinook, Mosaic, and Simcoe - dry-hopped with Mosaic and Simcoe
Malts: 
Premium 2-Row, Dextrine, Midnight Wheat, and Caramel
Judges Review 
David Sapsis's picture
Judges Rating:
92
Aroma:
22 / 24
Appearance:
6 / 6
Flavor:
36 / 40
Mouthfeel:
10 / 10
Overall Impression:
18 / 20

The beer pours out a burnished bright amber, with brilliant clarity and a tall and thick cream colored head, obviously well-conditioned by a steady rise of fine gas bubbles. Foam stand proves outstanding and leaves a big lace on the glass. Aroma is bright and tart with orange and lime citrus with a backdrop of pineapple and white grape -- invitingly fruity and resinous above a modestly sweet but distinct toasty-caramel backdrop. Hop flavors dominate the front of the palate with assertive orange and pineapple again, but also some early peach. The middle brings a strong but balanced bitterness that last to the dry finish where a toasty malt character continues to dance with complex sweet-tart fruits.  The malt really shines as counterpoint -- an element often missed in the crazy expansion of a beer style that was close to obsolete a few decades ago. Finish is long and elegant but not cloying or minerally. Mouthfeel is medium-light as the beer has just enough malt and viscosity to stand up to the high carbonic and hop sharpness.  Overall, the beer is a real winner with its outstanding hop character front to back, and a malt structure of toasty light caramel that keep the hops in line.  While full-flavored, the beer doesn't come across as overly strong, which I take as a great asset in a modern IPA. 

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