Harviestoun are a new brewery to me; I've never even heard of them before, let alone tried any of their beers! This is an IPA which has managed to win a few awards over the years.
Pours a golden straw colour, nice and clear, with a wispy white head briefly making an appearance, before dissipating to a thin layer.
Lots on the nose to pick up: light malts and a definite graininess mixed up with plenty of hop aromas which offer up citrus, wet straw, slight skinniness and an unfortunate stewed vegetal hint underneath it all.
Again, the there is a lot to pick up on. Great deal of complexity to this brew. First off, the pale malt give a biscuity backbone with grain, oak cakes and honey sweetness thrown on top. Malt flavours are quickly wrestled into submission however, as the hops kick in quite rapidly; orange zest, grapefruit, grass / straw and a generous dose of hop bitterness cleanse the palate with a pleasing dryness.
Light bodied and slightly on the thin side, but it goes down very well thanks to the gentle carbonation and low astringency. Great complexity; there is a ton of flavour in here. Balance is good... but not great. Malt flavours are beaten down too quickly for me
Despite a slightly funky bouquet, and questionable balance, it was bloody tasty! Great mix of flavours and easily sessionable.
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