Bear Knuckle IPA

◎ Appearance

Bright golden amber with excellent clarity and a fine, persistent head that clings to the glass with visible lacing. The carbonation is lively and well-integrated, creating a steady stream of small bubbles. The color sits at the lighter end of the amber spectrum, reflecting the restrained grain bill beneath the hop-forward formulation.

◌ Aroma

The nose is immediately assertive and resinous, with bold pine and citrus notes rising from the substantial hop charge of 9+ pounds per barrel. Behind the bright hop aromatics lies a clean, mineral-forward backdrop with minimal malt sweetness—the grain recedes into a supporting role. The overall impression is of fresh, herbal bitterness threaded through with grapefruit zest and woody undertones.

◐ Taste

The palate enters dry and intensely hoppy, with the 80 IBUs expressing themselves as a sustained, clean bitterness rather than harshness. Mid-palate offers piney and citrusy character with a subtle backdrop of pale Malz that adds structure without sweetness. The full body carries the bitterness confidently through to the finish, with no lingering sweetness to soften the edges.

◑ Finish

The finish is long and impressively dry, with the 7.7% ABV masked entirely by the intensity of the hop profile. Lingering pine and resinous notes fade gradually, leaving behind a clean, slightly woody aftertaste with no residual malt sweetness.