Blue Point Hoptical Illusion

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

2005 bottle consumed 6/23/2005. Clear and filtered, but perhaps not tremendously so, as there is a moderate amount of lacing, and a medium-sized head with average retention (head is white). Light peach and tangerine colored body, some faint copper tinges and a bit of straw yellow peaking through on the edges. Aroma is fruity, honey-sweet and has floral hops, lightly sweaty and mild. Nectarines, peaches, hay, flowers and some light spiciness (oranges, lemons). Seems to have enough malt character in the nose, and actually the hops are very restrained. Flavor begins sweet and simple, lightly creamy honeyish doughy malt, light creaminess and with some sweet fruity notes. Fuzzy, leafy hops are fresh and quite flavorful, with low bitterness. Mainly floral in nature, with light citrus notes, easygoing carbonation and a medium body, no thinning. Very simple, yet made well-enough. A touch of hops bite on the end, but still, the sweet malt comes through quite strong over top of the hops. Smooth, malty mouthfeel. Finishes with some sweaty hay, yellow fruits and lemon sorbet.

Ive had thier IPA on tap over the summer, and Im not sure if this is the same recipe but it looks and tastes slightly different in the bottle. First off- the bottled version is clear and has a better head retention. Aroma is very hoppy- citrusy and piney. Flavor is more toward the hoppy side but not over the top. Very smooth finish.
Earlier Rating: 7/22/2004 Total Score: 3.3
Had at the brewery. Amber color with a slight head which faded. Aroma is of american citrus and piney hops but not enough of them even for a regular IPA. Thier ESB has way more hops than this. Mouthfeel was slightly slick but ok. Flavor was a balance between malt and hops but neither one left a lasting impression on me. Could have been a lot better especially since this is such a great brewery.

(12oz bottle) Sampled at the RBSG 2005 in Montreal, Canada. Amber, largely carbonation body with a thin, dissipating head. Piney and Hi-C nose. Very crisp and sharp hops flavour. Enjoyable!

Sampled at SBWF, 2007. Somewhat hazy golden. Fine white head. Sweet and very hoppy in both aroma and flavour; citrus and apricots.

(Stockholm Beer Festival 2007) Bottle. Pale golden, white head. Hoppy, grassy, fruity aroma with pine apple and apricot notes. Hoppy, grassy, metallic flavor, some sweeter fruits. Bitter grassy finish.

Draught in New York. Cloudy golden colour. Grape and mandarin nose, bit of swimming pool. Mandarin notes in flavour, along with grape. Light-medium bodied. Not as bitter as one would expect from a US IPA.

Bottle poured a lightly hazy copper with a small lingering amber head. Aromas of earthiness, pine, carmel and light grapefruit. Palate was medium bodied and smooth with a lightly dry finish. Flavors of carmel, earthiness, pine and light citrus with a smooth lightly dry lingering moderatly bitter finish.

Bottle shared with HogTownHarry, GregClow, tupalev & jerc -- courtesy of HogTownHarry. Pours a clear gold with a small frothy white head. Aroma and flavour are quite hoppy and also consist of light malt and some citrus. It smells great and the taste is nicely balanced. I found it quite enjoyable and would gladly have it again.