Cloud Harvest 03: Majorca
Reviews are done by our Sensory Specialist Travis Houston, a Certified Cicerone and FoBAB judge.
Island time sways to the tune of the tide. A topographic tapestry freckled with secluded groves and hidden grottoes—this isn’t such a bad place to be stranded…
Malts: 2-Row, Wheat, Carafoam, Naked Oats, Acidulated
Hops: Mosaic, Cascade, Mandarina Bavaria, Huell Melon, Citra
Cloud Harvest 03 is the third iteration in our Unfiltered Juicy IPA Series. Talk about what we’re exploring with this series.
This series is all about hops. We’ve been experimenting with both new and old varietals on our pilot system, allowing us to explore how different combinations can create unique and delicious flavors. Even the same varietal of hop can impart different things on the finished beer based on many factors, like where it was grown. This is why the pilot system has been so helpful in the creation of these beers. We know how a certain hop is going to behave, and can design recipes with confidence that the beer will taste exactly how we want.
The first two releases in the Cloud Harvest series have been well received, but everyone has a favorite. What makes Majorca (03) different from 01 and 02?
This iteration utilizes a few of the hottest new hops out of Germany: Mandarina Bavaria and Huell Melon. Germany has an incredibly long history of producing some of the finest hops in the world, but traditionally stuck to classic varietals. Huell Melon and Mandarina Bavaria are both extremely fruit forward, producing notes of honeydew, strawberry, tangerine, and orange. When combined with some hops that are cherished for their fruit flavors, like Mosaic and Citra, we created a brew that is loaded with juicy citrus and dank tropical punch.
What makes you want to drink this beer?
Though incredibly fruit forward, bursting with tangerine, orange juice, and citrus zest, the beer finishes fairly dry and refreshing. Oats and wheat add body, lending a fullness that resembles juice. The mildly sweet, fruity finish is really pleasant, and makes me want to take another sip.
What are some of your favorite recent IPAs that lean into a juicier, softer hop profile?
Bell’s Official Hazy IPA and Sierra Nevada’s Hazy Little Thing are both readily available. If you want a bit of a challenge, seek out anything by Monkish, Treehouse, or Trillium: you may have to put in some effort, but it will be well worth it.
Appearance: Gold and hazy with some white foam.
Aroma: Tangerine, orange juice, citrus zest.
Taste: Mildly sweet, very softly bitter, with tons of juicy tangerine and orange.
Mouthfeel: Full-bodied and juice-like.
Overall: This unfiltered IPA bursts with notes of ripe tangerine and fresh orange, enhanced by a full, juice-like body and mildly sweet finish.
What foods would pair well with Cloud Harvest 03?
This would go really nice with orange chicken, or a salad with citrus.
Ideal glassware for Cloud Harvest 03?
Anything with a curve to capture the intense aromas.