It’s been threatening to be summer for the past couple of days, so a NEIPA is more attractive than usual. Not that they aren’t attractive normally, but the A/C isn’t on yet. What’s this? The refrigerator is actually cold! It’s an Easter miracle! Or something. Well, from my reborn appliance comes Knuckleball, a collab from Oso and Attik, with a very summery label. They promise a surprising beer, well-populated with echoes of fruit, and coming from Oso, I am convinced.
A creamy straw color with a thick cloud of white head, and a light but tantalizing aroma. It has notes of citrus and musk, but very light ones. It’s one of those nice, juicy looking NEIPAs, an old school one, the way they should be! The flavor starts out like an Orange Julius mixed with cantaloupe, a delicate taste, almost like a reflection. A more herbal flavor starts to develop in the aftertaste, and the texture is quite thick and heavy. It’s not a smooth and silky beer, but also not overwhelming. It feels bubblier than it looks, although there was a thin ring of bubbles near the bottom of the glass when it was poured. I think it probably was colder than ideal at first, as a deeper and more rounded fruit cocktail flavor starts to develop as the beer sits. The citrus pith remains but there are now hints of pear and honey coming through. It’s less blaring orange than many NEIPAs, which might surprise and even disappoint some, but it’s a nice option, one that has some weight and complexity. Not so much a beer to pour down your throat, but one to savor and probably have a chat with a friend with.
Supplier: Lambeer
Price: €6.50
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