North Island IPA by Coronado Brewing Company is being evaluated as a Specialty IPA (Category 21B) from the 2015 BJCP Guidelines.
Moderately strong aromas of white cream of wheat and orange pith, balanced by pine resin and a slight bourbon vanilla bean character. North Island IPA is appropriately opaque with a moderate amount of fine carbonation slowly rising through the hazy beer. The low ¼” head persistently clings to the sides of the glass in a chunky lace pattern.
Flavors start as moderately strong pine resin followed by a creamy wheat pizza dough mid-palate. The finish turns towards moderately sweet and pithy grapefruit, pulpy orange juice, and under-ripe lemons before a mouthwatering and crisp aftertaste, where a tongue-coating, fresh milled wheat character takes over. After drinking North Island IPA for a few minutes, the pine resin astringency begins to linger and unbalances the beer. Warming alcohol coats my mouth but is cut by a high level of soft carbonation, which lightens the moderately heavy body.
Overall, the hop aroma, flavor and frothy mouthfeel are appropriately hop-forward but balanced. The flavor and mouthfeel taste more off-dry than the traditionally anticipated medium-dry to dry finish. The hop aroma, while pleasant, could be more complex. Final takeaway for me was just how darn good this beer looked. Even after a ½ hour, it retained its frothy ¼” head of creamy foam.