Holy City Brewing's Overly Friendly is being evaluated as an American IPA (Category 21A) according to the BJCP guidelines. With the plethora of choices out there in the India Pale Ale category, this beer holds its own and offers enough hop complexity to appease even the most critical IPA connoisseur.
A beautiful expression of hop aroma emerges from a sizeable and tightly packed white head. Grapefruit, pine and a hint of fresh lemon zest jump out of the glass with a supporting bread-like presence underneath. The hop aroma is decidedly “old-school” American IPA but with the complexity you find in the best examples of the style. Even the appearance is intriguing: deep blonde with a subtle orange hue and just a bit of haze.
Medium-high bitterness and a dry finish add a welcome element of crispness to the beer. The bitterness does a good job of providing a backbone without getting in the way. The hop flavor follows the aroma but is a touch more pine laden and could have a greater overall presence in the balance. This beer is all hops – malt is there for balance alone. The beer is exceptionally clean from a fermentation standpoint and has moderate body and carbonation.
Overall, a very well-balanced IPA with good drinkability compared to many in today’s market. The hop-profile won’t blow anyone’s mind but this beer will impress anyone who has an appreciation for some of the older American-style hop varieties that helped make the American IPA what it is today.