Brewery: Sixpoint Brewery, Brooklyn, New York
Beer: Bengali Tiger
Serving: 16 oz can
Glassware: Sierra Nevada imperial pint
Information: 6.4% ABV, 62 IBU, 13 SRM, Best before 12JAN2013 on bottom of can
Style: American IPA
Price: $8.99 / 4-pack
Availability: Year-round
Cellaring: Not recommended for extended aging.
Pairings: Thai cuisine, spicy foods, supreme pizza, sharp cheese.
Appearance
Sexy from head to tail, the foam rises to the occasion, completely covering the pint with delicate but chunky lace as it slowly falls to a plateaued pile of suds. Below is well-carbonated and moderately hazed pint of shimmering golden orange beer that looks incredibly delicious.
Smell
Bengali Tiger shows it’s east-coast influence with moderate earthy notes from the hops rather than the explosive citrus from the west coast. Mild fruit attributes do emerge though, gently suggesting peach, grapefruit, and dried apricot. Like walking through a field of wheat, the nose has a farm-like refreshing characteristic of soft hay and pale male with a dribble of caramel finish for great balance.
Taste
Malt isn’t an afterthought in this IPA; it’s a brilliantly constructed base; a playground for hops. Toasted bread and biscuit notes are laced with honey and caramel but the real treat is the quick, feline-like attitude change to hops. Tree bark and pine resin earthiness overlap the undertones of fruit found in the nose.
Mouthfeel
Medium-full bodied, Bengali Tiger is a smooth-drinking IPA with moderate carbonation, a dry-hopped dry bite, and lingering bitterness, snapping out like a retractable claw, all coming together for a fantastic experience.
Overall
Sixpoint Bengali Tiger asserts it’s bitterness and hop glory in a smooth, fluid fashion, balancing against the tasty malt backdrop. Quite flavorful and forward, this IPA remains drinkable while satisfying the hop-head in us all.
Score: 95 / 100 - World Class
Cheers,
-Andy
