Beer Review: Ghost Town Brewing – Forbidden Hazy IPA
Style: New England / Hazy IPA
ABV: 6.4%
Hops: Galaxy & Citra
Brewery Location: Oakland, California
Ghost Town Brewing might be legendary for their bone-dry, resinous West Coast IPAs, but Forbidden proves they can pivot to the hazy side of the spectrum without losing an ounce of their technical prowess. This 6.4% ABV juice bomb is a masterclass in hop saturation, ditching aggressive bitterness for a plush, tropical flavor profile that commands attention from the first pour.
Appearance
Forbidden pours a beautiful, completely opaque, glowing pale straw-yellow. It looks like fresh-squeezed tropical juice in the glass, topped with a thick, frothy two-finger head of tight white bubbles. Retention is excellent, leaving a sticky, dense curtain of lacing as it slowly recedes.
Aroma
The nose is incredibly loud and expressive. The moment the can is cracked, a wave of passion fruit and bright, zesty Citra tangerine floods the room. Deep inhalations reveal layers of soft white peach, sweet honeydew melon, and a subtle, damp, green-hop undertone that keeps the massive fruit profile grounded.
Palate & Mouthfeel
This is where Forbidden truly shines. The mouthfeel is exceptionally soft, pillowy, and velvety, indicating a flawless grain bill loaded with oats and wheat. It carries a medium-to-full body without ever feeling heavy or syrupy.
Flavor-wise, it is an absolute tropical fruit showcase. Upfront, you get hit with a burst of ripe mango, sweet citrus pulp, and pineapple juice. The mid-palate introduces a slight resinous quality and a touch of lime zest, courtesy of the Galaxy hops, which cuts through the initial sweetness perfectly.
Finish
For a beer this juice-forward, the finish is remarkably clean. Ghost Town manages to avoid the dreaded “hop burn” that plagues many modern hazies. Instead, it rounds out with a very mild, crisp, and drying bitterness that cleanses the palate and begs you to take another sip.
Ghost Town’s Forbidden is an incredibly well-executed Hazy IPA that strikes a perfect balance between decadent tropical sweetness and high drinkability. It is plush, intensely aromatic, and remarkably smooth. Whether you are a dedicated haze-head or a West Coast purist looking to cross over, this West Coast-crafted New England style IPA is a must-try.
Please Note: To ensure absolute freshness and optimal storage temperatures, all craft beer arrivals are sold exclusively in-store and are not available for online ordering.
Available at SF Tequila Shop
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