Name: Advanced Fluid Dynamics: Phantasm
Brewer: WeldWerks Brewing Company (United States)
Style: Specialty IPA: New England IPA
ABV: 8.9%
Review Year: 2021
Advanced Fluid Dynamics: Phantasm is a “Double IPA” by WeldWerks Brewing Company (Colorado) that features Phantasm powder. Phantasm is a relatively new innovative product from New Zealand derived naturally from Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc grapes and is currently being tested by select breweries around the world. Sabro, Lotus, and Citra were the hops of choice for this beer.
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
Hazy pale gold with a medium-low white head. Ripe orange citrus, white grapes, and herbal tea qualities were prominent up front. Revisiting, this Advanced Fluid Dynamics variant unveiled additional yet supportive leafy/resiny and candied orange notes. Medium-bodied, moderate carbonation, and a subtle gritty/ chalky afterfeel. Mandarin oranges and white grapes dominated the flavor profile. These main flavors were noted against a moderately low resinous, floral, and coconut-like backdrop. Malt backbone was moderately low and bready, just enough to support the fruity flavors. Both bitterness and residual sweetness were equally intense at moderately low levels. Mandarin oranges, resin, and a hint of bitterness lingered into the aftertaste, but it was the white grape flavor that remained very, very long.
THE VERDICT
This Phantasm variant of Advanced Fluid Dynamics is a superbly drinkable beer that features a prominent citrus-accentuating white grape character. The perceived white grapes seemed to work well with the signature citrusy, pithy, and tropical fruity characteristics we associate with the hazy IPAs of WeldWerks. The white grape aroma and flavor are recurring themes, we, ourselves, have noted in beers brewed with Phantasm, but we need more conclusive evidence to claim that these were imparted by the said product. In fact, sources have noted that Phantasm features grape-derived thiols associated with the aromas of citrus, guava, passion fruit, black currant, and even wood. As to the flavor, it seems the powder itself does not create new ones but simply magnifies the hop-flavors that already exist in the beer. Simply stated, Phantasm appears to alter only the aroma of the beer and not the flavor. Only time will tell what it can actually bring to the table.
Phantasm and white grapes aside, the noted coconut flavor is not unusual since this character is associated with the Sabro hop variety. It was also interesting to note this despite Phantasm being the main feature of this beer. As mentioned, perceived bitterness and residual sweetness were balanced at moderately low levels. This, in our opinion, helped make Advance Fluid Dynamics: Phantasm a dangerously drinkable beer. We did not pick up any peppery “hop burn,” but we think the subtle gritty/ chalky afterfeel noted could still be lessened for a much smoother drinking experience. Overall, very good.
Recommended Reading:
WeldWerks explains its use of a thiol named Phantasm and other beers to know this week (Craft Brewing Business, 2021)
Related Reviews:
WeldWerks Brewing Company
Craft Beer from the United States
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