Beer Review: Original Pattern – Keepin’ It Real Hazy IPA
Style: IPA – New England / Hazy
ABV: 7.0%
IBU: Not listed (expected low to moderate)
Brewery: Original Pattern Brewing Co. (Oakland, CA)
Appearance: Pours a beautiful, completely opaque, juicy golden-orange color, exactly what you’d expect from a well-made Hazy IPA. It looks like fresh-squeezed juice. A thick, persistent white head forms upon pouring, settling into a creamy cap and leaving excellent lacing on the glass. It truly looks “real” and inviting.
Aroma: The aroma is a vibrant medley of tropical and stone fruits, with a hint of citrus zest. Big notes of ripe mango, juicy pineapple, and soft peach dominate, complemented by undertones of orange and perhaps a touch of melon. There’s a subtle underlying dankness or herbal note that adds complexity and keeps it from being overly sweet. The aroma is inviting and promises a juicy experience.
Taste: “Keepin’ It Real” delivers a fantastic, juicy, and fruity flavor profile that is both intense and balanced. The initial taste is a burst of tropical fruit sweetness – think mango and passionfruit – quickly followed by a pleasant citrus zest (orange, grapefruit pith). The bitterness is soft and restrained, typical of the style, allowing the hop flavors to shine truly. There’s a subtle creamy malt sweetness that provides a smooth backdrop, and a very gentle hop bite on the finish that helps dry it out slightly. The 7.0% ABV is remarkably well-hidden, making it dangerously drinkable.
Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with a wonderfully soft, pillowy, and smooth texture. The carbonation is moderate, contributing to its creamy mouthfeel without being fizzy. It finishes relatively clean for a Hazy IPA, with the fruity flavors lingering pleasantly without becoming cloying. It’s incredibly easy to drink.
Original Pattern’s “Keepin’ It Real” is a solid and enjoyable Hazy IPA that lives up to its name, delivering a straightforward and well-executed example of the style. It’s bursting with juicy hop flavors and aromas, boasts a fantastic creamy mouthfeel, and is dangerously smooth at 7.0% ABV. For those who appreciate a well-balanced, fruit-forward, and crushable Hazy IPA, this is definitely one to seek out. It’s a testament to Original Pattern’s consistent quality in the IPA game.