Alpha Abstraction Vol. 1 by Wild Leap Brew Co. is being evaluated as a New England IPA from within the Specialty IPA subcategory (BJCP 2015 Guidelines 21B).
The aroma is all hops with a pleasant harmony of floral honeysuckle and citrus that's reminiscent of freshly squeezed orange juice. The aroma is a bit faint overall but what is present is very inviting. While delving deep, notes of tangerine, grapefruit and lime round out the citrus element of the hop aroma.
The beer is a dark blonde with definitive haze and a small amount of particulate that shows up upon closer inspection. There is a small creamy white head that has moderate retention and leaves strong bands of lacing across the glass.
Hops are at the forefront throughout the aroma with elements of cantaloupe, honeysuckle, orange and lemon dominant. The hop flavors hit the palate with a nice explosion of juiciness that lingers. The bitterness is lower in the overall balance which is stylistically appropriate and aids in the overall drinkability of this beer. There is a touch of alcohol that is noticeable but never overwhelms the experience. A light hop astringency is present but expected with the copious amounts of hops added to this beer.
Overall, an enjoyable interpretation of the style that likely utilizes a lot of late-addition/whirlpool hops and a heavy handed dry-hop. The hops used provide a nice complexity to keep the palate intrigued. A brighter aroma would be welcome to help prepare the mind for the juicy, zest-laden hop profile that is about to hit the tongue.