inside information

Despite the closing of Cervezorama (sniff), there are plenty of other places to get good beer, with too many for me to carry in one go.  It ends up being two or three at a time.  I was looking for some fall and Halloween appropriate labels and styles, which I think turned out pretty well.  Actually, IPA is good for any time, but Naparbier's Insider IPA has a label that befits the season, most definitely.

Should have been more careful with that Guatemalan insanity pepper

There's a good whiff of citrus when the pouring starts, like with most craft IPAs, and the beer comes out clear golden with abundant white head.  The orange pith is strong in the taste, with a bitter punch right off the bat.  Underneath, there is a hint of sweetness as well.  It's an interesting balance that's constantly changing from the beginning to the end of the glass; some sips seem to be heavier on the flowery sweet, maybe with a little touch of honey, while the first ones had been a flatter bitter.  The bitter remains in the aftertaste, and at the back of the tongue.  Perhaps a little too refreshing for the season, when breezes are chilly and days are less than scorching, but in a stuffy bar or a summer beer garden, Insider IPA would fit the bill for sure.

Supplier: The Beer Garden
Price: €3.50