Firestone Walker Leo v. Ursus (Adversus) IPA

Beer Name: Leo v. Ursus - Adversus
Brewery: Firestone Walker Brewing Co. (Paso Robles, CA)
ABV: 8.2%
How sold: Four-packs of 16 oz tallboy cans; on draft
Where bought: Belmont Station (Portland, OR)
Price: $4.46 for single 16 oz. tallboy can

Date Canned: June 9, 2017
Date Purchased: July 4, 2017
Date Opened/Drank: July 7, 2017
IBUs: 55

When brewed? Limited-time beer (June 2017 to September 2017). Part of the Leo v. Ursus Chronology Series. This is the second beer in the series. Best enjoyed 120 days from canning date.

What's on the Website: "Prodigiously hopped yet nimbly brewed with pilsner malts, Adversus ultimately achieves the improbable: a big, bold IPA made for summertime sipping. A hard-charging blend of Pacific Northwest hops leads the way, loading the nose with notes of stone fruit, pineapple, mango and earthy pine resin. Meanwhile, the use of traditional pilsner malts adds levity and dryness to the palate, allowing for a refreshing texture through the finish. The result is a double IPA that is high on hop aromas, balanced in bitterness and perfect for the long, warm days of summer." Read more here!

Where distributed: Firestone Walker distributes to several states. Fortem was released in three different shipments (one in mid-June 2017, one in mid-July 2017, and one at the end of July 2017). It reached the Pacific NW in mid-June 2017. Find out if it got shipped to your area!

REVIEW:

Appearance (5%): Poured hazy golden into a pint glass. Unfiltered. Frothy white head, good lacing at the top of the glass. 4.25/5

Smell (25%): Balanced pine, tropical, and floral, with pilsner malts. 4/5

Taste (40%): Follows the nose, some tropical stone fruit and pineapple in the middle, with pilsner malts. Smooth for the summer months, yet I'm yearning for more tropical. 3.75/5

Mouthfeel (10%): Medium-bodied, good carbonation. Some dryness on the tongue, but easy drinking for the summer. 4.25/5

Overall (20%): A good IPA. I certainly prefer Fortem over this, but neither of the two beers in the series so far has stood out as a must-get for me. It remains on the pricier side, all things considered. I still plan to keep trying what Firestone has in store for future releases in the series. 3.75/5

Final Weighted Rating: 3.888/5