Name: MUTANT 2
Brewers: Uchu Brewing うちゅうブルーイング (Japan)
Style: Hazy IPA
ABV: 8.5%
Review Year: 2023
MUTANT 2 is a “Double Dry-Hopped Mega Oat Cream Double IPA” brewed by Uchu Brewing in Japan. This beer was brewed with Citra, Nelson Sauvin, and Eclipse hops together with oats, and some lactose, among others. MUTANT 2 also features Mutant Ape Yacht Club’s NFT on the label.
STYLE GUIDELINES
This beer is being evaluated as a Hazy IPA (21C) in the context of the 2021 Beer Style Guidelines of the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP). The most current version can be found on the BJCP website.
TASTING NOTES
Aroma
Moderately high zesty citrus aroma profile (grapefruit, pineapple); supporting oaty bready malt note.
Appearance
Vibrant hazy pale straw; thin head with poor retention.
Flavor
Zesty citrus fruits dominated (think of lemon peel, grapefruit, pineapple); some notes of peach and resin to accentuate. Moderate malt presence, characterized as oaty and bready. Relatively high bitterness; quite dry (no sweetness). The finish lingered long: bitterness and some late dank/umami character.
Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied; moderate carbonation; subtle chalky character.
THE VERDICT
When talking about Uchu Brewing, it was often their juicy Hazy and Triple IPAs that get the praise. MUTANT 2 here was a surprise– a juicy, oaty, and vibrantly hazy IPA but one that is on the dry-hoppy-bitter side of the spectrum. We think this is something for the so-called “Hop Heads.” This beer looked amazing, but we think a thicker head would make this Hazy IPA more charming. The aroma and flavor were spot on; the noted umami/dank quality was an interesting touch. Excellent.
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