Name: Cracks (#471)
Brewers: Uchu Brewing うちゅうブルーイング (Japan)
Style: Hazy IPA
ABV: 7.5%
Review Year: 2022
Cracks (batch 471) by Uchu Brewing is a Double Dry-Hopped (DDH) IPA that was brewed with massive amounts of Simcoe, Citra, and Centennial hops. This beer also features a base composed of oats, wheat malt, and rye malt.
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
Pours a vibrant hazy pale straw color with a white head. The nose melded moderately high semi-ripe mangoes with moderate oats; background notes of honey, orange citrus, with a grassy “dank” quality were also noted. Medium-full-bodied, moderately low carbonation; smooth. A moderate tandem of orange pith and mango rinds mixed with low lemon zest and pine. This beer also has that signature Uchu imprint we poorly describe as “beer umami.” Moderate bitterness; very dry (very low-to-no sweetness). Cracks finished with lingering pine and lemon peels sans sweetness.
THE VERDICT
Cracks is a fragrant and juicy beer that features mainly vibrant fruity qualities such as mango peel, orange pith, and lemon zest. This was a proper hop showcase that achieved the “juiciness” the style is known for without relying on too much sweetness. Since it is on the dry side, which is likely due to the rye malts, others may wish for just a bit of sweetness. Bitterness was spot on, however, while appearance was simply stunning.
One serving will not be enough. Excellent.
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