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None of this Makes Sense by Hardywood Park Craft Brewery is a Double New England-style IPA and is being evaluated as a Specialty IPA (category 21B in the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). The focus of the Double IPA style is hops, hops and more hops. Additionally, despite being a high-alcohol content style, Double IPAs are fairly drinkable and lack a heavy malty body, which are more typical traits of beers of these strengths. New England IPAs are known for their juicy/tropical fruit/citrusy hop-forward character, hazy appearance and lighter-than-typical American IPA bitterness. None of this Makes Sense is hopped with Mosaic and El Dorado hops and measures in at 7.5% ABV and 0 (yes, zero!) IBUs.
None of this Makes Sense pours light golden in color with a moderate haze and a big, mousse-like white head. The aroma is moderate citrus, mango, pineapple and tropical fruit hops with no malt. The flavor is again prominently hoppy with flavors of generic citrus, mango, tropical fruit and stone fruit with hints of pine and no malt. The beer finishes with a light bitterness with moderate citrus, tropical fruit and mango hop flavors that linger long on the palate.
None of this Makes Sense is a very good Double New England-style IPA. As expected, the hops are the focus of this beer and provide an array of flavors throughout the aroma, flavor and finish. The low bitterness will be attractive for those that are not fond of the assertive bitterness of a West Coast IPA. But, the very low bitterness makes the beer seem a little odd for those that are expecting at least some bitterness.