It is probably past time for a review of the Brut IPA style, so here goes with the Drake’s Brewing Co. Brightside Extra Brut IPA from what you could call the AOC of the style, the Bay Area.
This IPA comes across not so bitter to me because there are other forces at play here that are stronger. It is indeed very dry. Bone dry to be more precise. Almost tannic in the taste. It pours a clear dark yellow and orange mix. This beer has a lovely and strong hop perfume aroma to it which foretells a bigger hop punch than what arrives. That aroma though is my favorite part of this beer. All of the fruit esters have been driven away and there is a super crisp finish to this. I like it but I if you gave me a dank or tropical or even milkshake-y IPA, I might reach for those first for a IPA kick.