Kiwi - Lawson's Finest Liquids

jlindros

Massachusetts

4.3/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

I love me some Kiwi hops, and I know Lawson's will do it justice, so I've been dying to try this beer. Thanks Pemmet!

Pours into my Hill farmstead stepped tulip, a nice delicate fluffy and creamy looking 1/2 finger head that fades fairly slowly, nice lacing, super hazy nectar orange colored beer.

Nose was wafting out as soon as I popped the cap, great kiwi hops, little tropical almost, grassy and earthy mostly, with a touch of a lemony straw, and a bit of a musty aroma. Under that is a hint of a nice malty sweet aroma, hint almost grainy, fluffy, barely there but enough to support the hops it seems.

Taste starts again with the kiwi hops, nice grassy and a bit earthy, of the terroir, quite juicy with a nice citrus slightly tropical, and musty resinous like fresh wet hops, quite nice. Fluffy slightly sweet malt in the middle, with a hint of booze, and enough to give the beer a nice backbone, hint of caramel and toasty, and a nice carbonation to fill it. The hops get a bit grassy and a light lemony hay but not much, juicy fresh hops really take teh show. A decent bitterness throughout, not overly bitter but definitely lets you know it's there. Finish is drier, nice big bitterness ramps up a bit as it dries, plenty of lingering kiwi hops, light musty resin fresh hops, and a bit more citrus and tropical fruit juice.

Mouth is nice too, super fluffy carbonation and decent med bodied, slightest hint of booze so the beer has a big feel to it overall.

Overall very nice, as I was expecting. Showcases the kiwi hops very well, very tasty and drinkable, despite 8% it goes down very smooth, with nice malt base to prop up the hops, good bitterness enough to let you know it's a nice big IPA, but not overpowering. Well done!

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2013 22:41:24 | More by jlindros

jbeervt

Vermont

4.5/5  rDev +4.7%

05-20-2013 21:26:13 | More by jbeervt

beernads

Florida

4.25/5  rDev -1.2%

05-18-2013 07:14:48 | More by beernads

HevvyMetalHippie

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev -1.2%

05-11-2013 15:39:47 | More by HevvyMetalHippie

irv2424

Massachusetts

4.75/5  rDev +10.5%

05-11-2013 04:05:26 | More by irv2424

justforrazors

Missouri

4/5  rDev -7%

05-10-2013 01:50:57 | More by justforrazors

Seakyden

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +16.3%

04-03-2013 01:31:12 | More by Seakyden

Quackus

New York

4/5  rDev -7%

04-01-2013 19:38:52 | More by Quackus

jbuddle

New York

4/5  rDev -7%

03-25-2013 16:07:53 | More by jbuddle

SourinQns

New York

4.75/5  rDev +10.5%

03-25-2013 02:36:52 | More by SourinQns

jjheinrichs

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev -1.2%

03-11-2013 17:16:44 | More by jjheinrichs

Rheaume17

Vermont

4.5/5  rDev +4.7%

03-07-2013 00:52:14 | More by Rheaume17

chubby2u

New York

4/5  rDev -7%

03-04-2013 02:10:55 | More by chubby2u

Rempo

Indiana

5/5  rDev +16.3%

03-01-2013 01:11:29 | More by Rempo

PEIhop

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +4.7%

03-01-2013 00:50:59 | More by PEIhop

JoninVT

New Hampshire

4.75/5  rDev +10.5%

02-27-2013 00:37:48 | More by JoninVT

thebigredone

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev -1.2%

02-25-2013 17:27:40 | More by thebigredone

BeRanger

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +4.7%

02-25-2013 00:47:36 | More by BeRanger

lovindahops

New York

4.49/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

It's just been a long week at work so I really think opening this bomber of Lawson's is worth it. I had this on tap at black backs pub in December but I never got the chance to review.

A- kiwi double ipa pours a gorgeous amber body with a hearty head of slighty darkened white foam that bursts all over my hill farmstead stem. Hazy and glowing with a strong amber color that reminds me of Vermont DIPA'S like Abner and such

S- Herbal, citric, and maybe garlic theme? A fruity fresh mango presence almost chimes in with some sweet caramel tones. Very lively with active scents as one would expect from Lawson's. There is no question that it makes my mouth slightly water

T- strong resin, onion, and darkened citric flavor that is unyielding with a flavor coating outlay. A burst of herbal and caramel flavor follows over as a "second coat" of hoppy Vermont flavor. I like it, as it's not the always expected citrus and spikey pineapple hop hit. A little more in the hop body if you will

M- coating hop flavor that finishes off the palate. The paint job is done!

O- what a change up for a VT DIPA! Massive hearty, deep resionious flavor impersonating a garlic, caramel, and fruity citric hop profile. I loved this and will seek out more going forward!

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2013 00:37:56 | More by lovindahops

Crookdrain

New York

4.25/5  rDev -1.2%

02-21-2013 01:43:17 | More by Crookdrain

bootdown21

Connecticut

4.5/5  rDev +4.7%

02-20-2013 21:00:56 | More by bootdown21

ryan79

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev -1.2%

02-20-2013 14:13:18 | More by ryan79

phingdong

New Hampshire

4.5/5  rDev +4.7%

02-19-2013 22:43:25 | More by phingdong

Brew33

Ohio

4.14/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

I was very excited to try this one, received via trade with brikelly.

It pours a darker than I expected light caramel color with an odd soapy head. So soapy I wondered if my glass was dirty so I poured the rest of the beer into another glass, it was just the beer.

The aroma was caramel malt, citric hops, some tropical notes. Fairly muted considering the style and hop varieties. Sweet orange and candy aromas are faint.

The flavor is very good. Zesty hop character. Bitter but never over the top. Drying alcohol and a bitter finish are excellent. A unique beer. The malt provides a solid showcase for the herbal, spicy, tropical hop profile but provide little sweetness. The aroma had me worried that this would be a maltier beer. It's a DIPA experience like I've never had before. I keep coming back to the word zesty. Tickles the tongue. Really unique.

The mouthfeel was thinner than I usually like and the carbonation was lower than I like but hey, the flavor is excellent and it makes this beer insanely drinkable. Good stuff.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2013 13:36:15 | More by Brew33

michelob654

4.5/5  rDev +4.7%

02-19-2013 03:49:58 | More by michelob654