Blue Point Hoptical Illusion

Brewed by Blue Point Brewing
Style: India Pale Ale (IPA)
Patchogue, New York USA

Quite pale, strong fluffy head. One dimensional hopping, characteristic cascade hops are nice at first, but become a little overwhelming as things progress.

Thin head with decent carbonation. Lots of light and fluffy floaters in there. Big hoppy aroma with lots of resinous hops and pine. Some caramel malts also. Color is a fuzzy bright orange. Sweet and malty up front then the hops slap you in the face mid swallow. Big dry roasted peanut skin bitterness. I think that this is balanced very well. Dry with a little roastyness but predominantly big and hoppy. Little alcohol presece. Lingering bitterness and hoppy dryness. I like this brew a lot.

Pours gold with a little red. has a Small fizzy white head. Citrus and grassy hops are present, but not as strong as in most IPAs. Floral and fruity sweetness are also there, as well as some malt. Nice, but could use a stronger aroma. Medium, creamy body. Has a very good flavor, but again, not like an IPA. Sweet fruit, citrus, and floral hops are the most noticeable. A touch of grass comes through in the light bitter finish. I don’t see the india part of this pale ale. Pretty decent, though.

This was not what I was expecting. The hops were there, bit not present in the way the name would suggest. Mildly aromatic, mild tasting tourist IPA, not that there is anything wrong with that. $1.50/12oz

Nice aroma, good head that lasted throughout. Nothing special here just a good solid IPA. Good Citrus hop flavor.

Firkin: Aroma of floral hops and black pepper. Poured a cloudy copper/amber with a small white head that diminished quickly. Small lacing. Flavor of hops! Unbalanced toward hops. Notes of grapefruit, resin, and sneakers. Bitter finish. Light to medium body. Soft carbonation.

Decent attempt at an IPA. Nothing exciting about it though. Crisp, hoppy, and bitter. Wouldn’t go out of my way for it.

Hoptical Illusion is very straightforward. No slight of hand, as the hops jump out in the aroma, and don’t disappoint in the taste. It pours a cloudy light yellow color and settles a medium amber with an off-white, fizzy head. Clear body under a fully diminishing head. Aroma is of cinammon, with flowery, grassy hops, and a strong presence of sweet hops. Initial taste is moderately bitter, simmering down to a light bitter finish with a short duration. Thin bodied, it has a dry texture for a nice, crisp finish. Reviewed in November, 2006.