This beer pours copper with a creamy, thick head. Some lacing on the glass. Grapefruit aromas (with a spicy pepper just beneath it) come off the top. Carbonation is prickly on the tongue. The hops are mix of grassy (Chinook, Amarillo) and bitter (Centennial) – this isn’t one of those gooey, chewy resinous imperial IPAs that peels the enamel of your teeth. The finish is dry. All in all, another stellar beer.

This beer is part of Alaskan Brewing Company‘s Pilot Series. The beers in the series get draft-tested before making the jump to being bottled in 22 oz bottles. As a draft this was known as Alaskan XTRATUF® IPA, its name coming from the iconic boots that are a spring time staple in Alaska (as well as in brewhouses).