450 North Brewing Co Dank Candy – Gummy Haze DIPA (8% ABV)
Pour: 16oz can into a snifter
Appearance: Pours a cloudy reddish-gold with about an inch of thick, off white head that takes its time in dissipating and leaves a healthy amount of lacing. Fairly still once the head settles.
Aroma: A mix of floral and sweet hops notes, with a hint of something dank and sticky underneath.
Taste: Bitter and then some. There’s a resiny note right up front that isn’t entirely pleasant, but it quickly gives way to a citrus/pine note in the middle. Floral, piney hops in the finish with a lingering bitter aftertaste.
Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied and slightly sticky. Definitely coats the tongue – a total palate-wrecker.
I wasn’t familiar with Columbus-based 450 North Brewing Company prior to seeing this beer in the cooler at my favorite liquor store, but since I’m always on the lookout for new Indiana breweries to try, I picked it up. I’ll admit that at first sip, I was questioning that decision – Gummy Haze is one of those beers that immediately shocks the palate, but once that initial shock wears off, it’s really quite pleasant. I’m not generally a fan of flowery IPAs, but the there are enough other things going on here that the floral hop notes don’t dominate the way they do in a beer like Zombie Dust (which I loathe). This beer is very drinkable, and I’ll certainly be on the lookout for more of 450 North’s beers.