Electric Unicorn White IPA - Phillips Brewing Company

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

3.78/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

650ml bottle - what's with the laser-eyed beast theme on the labels of the more recent Phillips offerings? And were that I could accompany this with some bitchin', shreddin' metal tunes, but my better half happens to be watching Real Housewives reunions while I do this. Compromises, me auld sons...

This beer pours a very hazy, pale yellow straw hue, with two fingers of tight, creamy, foamy white head, which settles rather slowly, eventually leaving some random sharp wave crest lace around the glass.

It smells of somewhat tart orange rind, mild pale grainy malt, earthy Belgian yeast, softly spicy coriander, and a slowly growing bitter pine hoppiness. The taste is moderately sweet wheat grain, a subtle lemon citrus fruitiness, some weak earthy spiciness, throttled Low Country yeast, and nicely even piney, leafy hops.

The carbonation is soft, and generally quite yielding, the body a near full flag medium weight, and quite adequately smooth. It finishes off-dry, the sweetness of the wheat and barley malt bravely pushing through the now staid yeast and still weirdly IPA-worthy hops.

I know that this is different from the majority of the previous Belgian IPAs that I have come across, in mostly one simple area - it isn't astringent, either via yeast, hop, or whatever. It's actually quite pleasant - soft and approachable, alluring in its balance. A stellar intro for the style, and equally appropriate for those who might deem themselves old hands as such.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2012 06:18:23 | More by biboergosum

wordemupg

Alberta (Canada)

3.33/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

650ml bottle poured into tulip 19/9/12

A bright yellow with lots of tiny suspended particles, I don't see many bubbles but there's a thumbs width of foam that leaves some random lace

S pop the top and I get orange and coriander, I read the bottle and sure enough its a White IPA, more Phillips house notes that I just can't shake after I caught on. some peppery spice and cereals with some hoppy notes but IPA levels? you decide

T not as nice as the smell, tastes like a basic Wit with Phillips flavoring, lemon and a little more hops and booze then I associate with the style. I could take it or leave it

M not quite medium bodied and its airy too my surprise as I couldn't see much carbonation in the liquid but there's to much in the mouth

O its OK but I'm not sold on it, it would get nearly perfect scores for labeling however

its unfortunate really that I can't replicate the ideal serving conditions of "riding a mystical mono-horned laser beast racing through the galaxy to the sonic backdrop of screaming metal guitars" this one might get straight 5's if that was the case

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2012 17:27:19 | More by wordemupg

IronDjinn

Alberta (Canada)

3.65/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From a 650 ml brown bottle. Pours out a hazed straw hue, with a short creamy white head that retains to a thin cap.

Sweet soft wheat and coriander are most present on the nose, mild floral and citrus hops.

Wheat and spicy Belgian yeast appear first in the flavour, with faint fruity esters in the middle, finishing with lemon and grapefruit rind, some grassy hops, then soft phenols that linger in the aftertaste.

Light-bodied, with a soft smooth texture and fairly brisk carbonation.

An excellent easy-drinker, quenching and flavourful without being intense or overwhelming. This would be excellent as a summer sipper.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2013 08:00:18 | More by IronDjinn

Rutager

British Columbia (Canada)

3.58/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Another awesome label and name. Unicorn, cliff, space, lightning, eagle head logo, psychedelic font. Could there be any more awesomeness packed into a single label?

Appearance. Pours a fairly clear straw-gold with almost a finger of white head.

Smell. Spicy hops and yeast, some lightly toasted wheat, a little citrus and a bit of onion.

Taste. Sweat roasted wheat, spicy and lightly floral hops, a little bit of fruity yeast, and a little bitterness in the back end.

Mouthfeel. Medium body, medium+ lively carbonation.

Overall. Interesting style. Lots going on and still quite drinkable and refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2012 03:31:57 | More by Rutager

joemcgrath27

Alberta (Canada)

3.2/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A - clear straw golden with plenty of small suspended sediment, thumb of white head dissipated to a thin covering leaving plenty of sticky lacing
S - very yeasty and wheaty aromas, sour citrus, peppermint, and a mineral/vitamin aroma, very busy
T - peppery and grainy up front, a bubble gum thing going on, not much of the yeasty flavour here, a faint hint of plastic or rubber late in the finish, does not live up to the nose
M - fairly light and well carbonated, slightly thin, just a touch of dry
O - very busy to the detriment of the beer overall, it doesn't seem to add up to something significant, nice try but not my bag

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2012 02:15:36 | More by joemcgrath27

DaftCaskBC

British Columbia (Canada)

3.33/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Cloudy straw coloured liquid with minimal head.

S: Muted yeast, grassy hops and citrus.

T: Lemon, yeast, wheat, coriander and grassy hops.

M: Medium level of carbonation and a medium viscosity.

O: I expected more after Pandamonium, but this wasn't particularly my thing.

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2012 03:06:11 | More by DaftCaskBC

mattsander

Alberta (Canada)

3.05/5  rDev -15%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Slightly hazy yellow, nice long-lasting white head and tiny bubbles. Nice looking beer.

S: Sweet wheat vibes all over this thing. Citrusy coriander, spicy/earthy noble type hops. Kinda strange but I can get into it.

T: Very sweet. Almost cloying... I have to say Im not a fan of this beer. Grainy aftertaste. It reminds me more of a very sweet strong wheat beer than an IPA of any kind. Not much bitterness.

M: Full and creamy. I couldn't finish the bomber, its just too sweet and one noted.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2012 22:46:47 | More by mattsander