Score: 85/100 – Very Good
From a 473ml can served cool at 9 degrees Celsius into a TeKu glass. Canned on 06/10/20 – making this just short of three weeks old.
The beer comes straight from the brewery and was acquired through a friend. I’m continuing on a heavy Quebec IPA breview streak with high expectations for HYPA VIII.
Appearance 6/6
The beer pours an opaque pale gold with 4.5cm of moderately dense, creamy, white head which dissipates into a solid cap within 3+ minutes. Exceptional lacing with good head retention. Looks like juice.
Aroma 21/24
Strong intensity with good balance. The aroma is decidedly hoppy with an American hop character.
Pronounced citrus (blood orange) pairs with lemongrass and milder tropical (ripe pineapple) notes. Low spicy, herbaceous character at the back with a touch of toasted cereal grain.
The dry nose is very citrusy with an underlying grainy-crackery malt.
Flavour 33/40
Follows the aroma with strong intensity, good balance, and moderate perceived bitterness.
The palate opens up bright with notes of tangerines, lemongrass, and minerals making way for a flavourful center where the citrus and grass keep dominating while a sweet tropical fruit character rounds out the saltiness of the minerals. A dash of herbs and spice for complexity.
The long finish is strong and bitter-ish with notes of lemongrass, tangerines, minerals, and low crackery malt.
Mouthfeel 9/10
Medium body with moderate carbonation. The mouthfeel is quite creamy and round with mild tingling on the palate. Restrained alcohol warming and an off-dry finish. Mild hop-derived astringency with no major harshness on the palate.
Overall 16/20
Brasserie du Bas-Canada’s HYPA VIII is an above average beer.
Solid appearance and punchy, inviting aroma set the flavour expectations high. The palate is quite gratifying, but I find the minerals are adjusted too high for my taste and I’m left yearning for less of a salty edge. The mouthfeel is pleasant but some hop burn is introduced as the beer warms.
Having said that, the overall drinking experience is great and I’d gladly drink this again. I casually recommend HYPA VIII to any hop lovers as it really is a very good beer. My expectations for the brewery are very high and I feel like this didn’t quite reach the status of Neron. Next up? More Quebec hazy IPA’s.
Beerfection | Craft Beer Reviews | Montreal, Canada 