Switchback’s Connector IPA is being judged as an American IPA (2015 BJCP Category 21A). The commercial definition of this style has been widely interpreted but consistently is a showcase for New World/American hop varieties.
Connector opens with intense resin, passion fruit, and guava alongside a supportive caramel, grainy malt. A clean fermentation presumably from an American yeast strain allows the hops to shine. It’s also a bit different than many IPAs with its solid amber color and minimal haze that all sit beneath a never ending ivory head.
The moderate grainy malt backbone with honey and caramel fully support moderately-high bitterness. True to an IPA, the hops are upfront with delightful orange, resin, pine, passion fruit, and ripe mango. The beer finishes dry with a resinous aftertaste that doesn’t last too long that enables you to easily take the next sip.
Connector is a solid offering in the IPA world with a malt backbone that doesn’t shy away from the aggressive hops. Although it’s not as bright as other IPAs, it brings diversity to the category with its well crafted profile.