For many years the only way for an east-coaster like me to sample a Firestone Walker beer was to visit the west coast…and then one day that all changed. I came across a new IPA hitting PA beer shelves and that beer was called Union Jack IPA. Of course that beer changed the course of my beer-drinking taste buds and decades later, it’s still one of my favorites.
I cover Firestone Walker beer news heavily, and just a few months ago I was lucky enough to get an early sample of a new beer called Hopnosis IPA. If you read my review, you’ll know already that I really liked that beer and after sampling it, I couldn’t wait to have more.
Jump ahead a few months, and I’m even more excited to get a surprise delivery at the mybeerbuzz Headquarters from Paso Robles, CA. The box is not only a cool promotional package, but more important it includes some variants of one of my favorite Firestone Walker beers…Mind Haze. Today we’ll be sampling Mind Haze Tiki Smash IPA, Mind Haze Citrus Cyclone IPA & Mind Haze Hopical Crush IPA. These beers are part of the Mind Haze Tropical Mixed Pack and of course I can’t wait to try them…so off we go.
ABV: 6.2%
IBU: 25
Style: IPA
Packaging: 12oz cans
Appearance: Hazy yellow golden
Aroma: Tropical pineapple, coconut & vanilla
Mouthfeel: Medium light
Taste: Pineapple, coconut, mango, citrus & oranges.
Overall: Mind Haze Tiki Smash IPA has a really tasty combination of tropical fruits and coconut. It feels and drinks a bit like a good tropical cocktail and the balance of fruit-forward hops and sweet tropical fruits is really good. Overall I really thought Firestone Walker nailed the ingredients and balance in this beer and created a really enjoyable IPA.
Firestone Walker Mind Haze Citrus Cyclone IPA
ABV: 6.2%
IBU: 20
Style: IPA
Packaging: 12oz cans
Appearance: Hazy light golden
Aroma: Tangerine, tangerine and tangerine with maybe a bit of lime
Mouthfeel: Light
Taste: Tangerine, citrus & lime
Overall: Mind Haze Citrus Cyclone is a really drinkable and refreshing beer. The 6.2%-AbV will sneak up on you because I found my way to the bottom of the glass in no time. Overall this fruit-forward, tangerine-dominant mix of citrus flavors works well and the beer was well balanced and enjoyable.
Firestone Walker Mind Haze Hopical Crush IPA
ABV: 6.2%
IBU: 25
Style: IPA
Packaging: 12oz cans
Appearance: Hazy yellow
Aroma: Grapefruit, stone fruit & citrus
Mouthfeel: Medium Light
Taste: Pineapple, orange and a bit resinous in the finish
Overall: Mind Haze Hopical Crush IPA has an interesting mix of fruit-forward and earthy hops that makes for a really nice IPA. The beer has a Mai Tai cocktail set of flavors I really liked and the citrus / dank combination really works well for me. Overall this beer has a balance that was hard to describe, but easy to drink and I can’t wait to enjoy another one.
Firestone Walker Mind Haze Tropical Mixed Pack IPAs are available now in 12oz cans and I should also mention how cool the new can designs themselves look! The beers have a common identity but a unique flavor profile that I think you’ll love as much as I did. Be sure to get out there and try them for yourself. And when you do try then, be sure to let us know what YOU think.
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