Name: Caucasus
Brewer: Madbul Cerveza Artesana (Philippines)
Style: Specialty IPA: New England IPA
ABV: 8%
Review Year: 2020
The latest beer from Eric de Jesus of Madbul Cerveza Artesana is Caucasus, a “Specialty Ale” brewed with Eureka, Lemondrop, and Kazbek hops. By naming this beer as such, Eric takes a page from the history of the Kazbek hops, a hybrid between Bor hops and wild Russian hops from the Caucasus mountains in Georgia.
(Read More: Madbul Cerveza Artesana “Truco” Munich Pale Ale)
STYLE GUIDELINES
This beer is being evaluated as a Specialty IPA: New England IPA (21B) in the context of the provisional guidelines of the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) for the said beer style. The most current version of the guidelines can be found on the BJCP website.
TASTING NOTES
Caucasus is a hazy deep gold-colored beer with a white head. Assertive tangerine citrus aromas are at the forefront while a soothing herbal undertone follows through. The overall flavor balance leans towards the hops relative to the malts. Caucasus opens up with pronounced tangerines, lemon peel, orange marmalade, and hints of pears. It is akin to orange juice with acidity on the down-low. Light bready backbone. The perceived bitterness is moderate. The aftertaste lingers with an orange citrus impression.
THE VERDICT
Caucasus is a flavorful, crisp, and very drinkable beer from Madbul that highlights primarily straightforward citrus tangerine characters. Compared to Truco and Opshaug, Caucasus is easier to drink or is more “crushable” as its mouthfeel and flavor do not weigh down heavily on the palate. Meanwhile, Caucasus can be thought of as a close cousin of the Diploid Hybrid Bobek since both beers are similarly crisp and easily drinkable. Very good.
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