As the name suggests, Offshoot Beer Co. started as a side project for another brewery, the Bruery, based in Orange County, California. What makes this hop-focused side project surprising is that the Bruery began with the express intention of brewing virtually every style and variety of beer — except IPA. They are known for experimenting with diverse ingredients and innovative approaches in pursuit of new beer possibilities. I suppose, by creating Offshoot, the Bruery technically isn’t brewing an IPA, but we’re splitting hairs. Let’s give their new, canned IPA a try.

Unfiltered, Relax [It’s Just a Hazy IPA] is indeed a hazy golden yellow color in the glass. A short, white head quickly dissipates after a vigorous pour. On the nose, Relax offers lemon and orange peel notes, as well as some pineapple and a bit of pine. The palate leans much more toward grapefruit and finishes clean, with just a touch of bitterness. All told, Relax is a nice example of a New England style IPA: juicy, unfiltered, and not-too-bitter. It has a fine balance to it and doesn’t aspire to be a double IPA. With all of the amazing IPAs that are widely available today, Relax doesn’t really stand out as anything unique, but it is an enjoyable and highly drinkable beer.

6.8% abv.

B / $15 per 4-pack of 16 oz cans / offshootbeer.com

Offshoot Beer Co. Relax [It’s Just a Hazy IPA]

$15

8

Rating

8.0/10

About Post Author

Robert Lublin

Robert Lublin teaches whisk(e)y and wine appreciation classes for Arlington Community Education, near Boston, MA. He is also a Professor at the University of Massachusetts Boston and has published books and articles on Shakespeare as well as theatre and film history.

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