Something beautiful happens when you take the fruity and spicy esters of Belgian with yeast and throw an American IPA profile on top. Black Husky calls it Schutzengel. We say "gesundheit," and then we call it a White IPA.
Hailing from Northern Wisconsin, Black Husky is known for its small production and big beer flavors. The Schutzengel White IPA is the newest beer to debut in its seasonal rotation. And at 6% ABV, it's the least potent offering from Black Husky yet. Does that drop in ABV mean it comes at the expense of flavor? No sir. The Belgo-American ale brewed with oats and lactose is firing on all cylinders. It could quite possibly be the state's best white IPA. Here are tasting notes on what you can expect.
Tasting Notes
Pineapple mint bubblegum clears the sinuses, with juicy clean wafts lighting up the sense of smell. Mangos, clementines and apricots become a fragrant compote on top of a Kringle rubbed with lemon rinds and lime peel. The beer's big flavor backs up its promising aromatic prelude. Pineapple pulp comes to the forefront with apricots and just-ripened pears squeezing out of lemon shortbread cookies dusted with hop pollen. The bitterness sinks in, falling in lockstep with the clean finish as the sweetness drops back at just the right time. A hint of apricot-mango-vanilla icing lurks near the back roof of the mouth, with a few floral petals clinging to it. Candied papaya, pineapple and clementine piths sing a fruity, bitter clean finish.
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