Modern Times Critical Band IPA

Beer Name: Critical Band
Brewery: Modern Times Beer (San Diego, CA)
ABV: 6.7%
How sold: 16 oz tallboy cans; on draft
Where bought: Belmont Station (Portland, OR)

Price: $2.99 for 16 oz. tallboy can

Date Canned: August 11, 2017
Date Purchased: September 11, 2017
Date Opened: September 18, 2017 
When brewed/released? Fall seasonal release, found September through November. Check out their beer release calendar here!
IBU: 60 (75 on the website)

What's on the Can: "Packed to the hilt with Denali, Ekuanot, Citra, Simcoe, and Centennial hops, Critical Band is a head-snapping thunderclap of an IPA loaded with tropical, citrusy awesomeness. Its deeply juicy profile is underscored by a crisp, restrained malt bill that expertly carries this delicious, fruity wonder into a soft, round finish that will leave little doubt as to the adroitness of your beer purchase."

What's on the Website: "This deeply juicy stunner in the mold of City of the Sun and Booming Rollers will be replacing Aurora in the seasonal line-up next year. While our beloved red rye IPA will undoubtedly be missed, we think you’ll agree with our decision once you get a face-full of this outrageously tasty IPA. Brewed with Denali, Ekuanot, Citra, and Centennial hops, Critical Band is a blast wave of pineapple, papaya, and pink grapefruit over a crisp, restrained malt bill, before wrapping up in a soft, round finish that leaves you with warm feelings and an intense desire for another sip." Read more here!

Where distributed: As of September 2017, Modern Times distributes their beer to California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington. See if Modern Times ships to your area!

REVIEW:

Appearance (5%): Poured hazy light orange into a pint glass. White head, some lacing. 4.5/5

Smell (25%): Juicy tropical; passion fruit, orange, tangerine, and some pineapple. Slight creamy malt notes. 4.75/5

Taste (40%): Starts a diluted tropical with some malt and slight dank, then intensifies through the aftertaste. Aftertaste is all citrusy, with passion fruit, orange, and tangerine notes. Soothing throughout; citrus bitterness kept in check nicely. More flavor at the start would have netted a higher score. 4.25/5

Mouthfeel (10%): Medium-light to medium-bodied, good carbonation. Very tropical juicy and refreshing. 4.5/5

Overall (20%): An excellent to outstanding IPA. As a fan of the New England-style IPA (putting it lightly), I definitely welcome Critical Band into the Modern Times seasonal IPA lineup. I did enjoy Aurora very much, and perhaps it will make a return. Meanwhile, I recommend that people try Critical Band. 4.5/5

Final Weighted Rating: 4.463/5