Reviews are done by Jim Matt, our Head Brewer, who is also a veteran FoBAB judge, GABF judge, and BJCP Master judge.

This is the first time we've put our crowdsourced IPA, Streaker (6.0% | 60 IBU), in aluminum hop holsters. Last year we let people decide the hops, malts and name of this beauty. And post fermentation, a righteous Rye IPA came to manifestation. Dry hopped with Citra and Mosaic hops that race across your palate in a lively, yet intimate and wildly exposed jaunt — flaunting tropical fruit, dank, pineapple, and mango aromatic acrobatics.

Malts: Pale Ale, Rye, Carared

Hops: Magnum, Citra and Mosaic

As a head brewer, how did you feel about brewing a crowdsourced IPA, chosen by the people?

I love the idea. There are many times when we receive suggestions from random people about a beer that might be fun to do. This exercise was successful because a large number of people voted, and we gave the people what they wanted!

This is the first in the Power Pale series, can you tell us a little more about that?

We will be running through a series of higher hopped pale ales that will rotate through as the season progresses. Streaker is the first of these, and the plan is for it to be followed by Crash and then Pure Fury.

What gets you excited about Streaker, Jim?

Besides the fact that it is a crowdsourced beer, it features two of my favorite and most coveted hops, Citra and Mosaic!

What are characteristics of this beer you find novel?

Rye Malt gives some added body and spicy flavor, and Carared adds some color and a subtle toasted bread character to the beer. It is not a pale ale devoid of malt character.

Appearance: Moderately dark gold, moderate persistent off-white head, slight haze from hops.

Smell: Medium high hop aroma starting with a distinct “Mosaic” note of herbal, grapefruit, and pine. Subsequent sniffs of the glass reveal underlying tropical fruit notes in perfect harmony with the resiny Mosaic character. Medium low malt aroma (slightly grainy and spicy).

Taste: Medium-high hop flavor with piney, resiny flavors giving way to peach and apricot on the finish. Medium high bitterness, medium spicy/grainy complementary malt character from the rye.

Mouthfeel: Medium light body, medium carbonation, slight lingering hop astringency.

Overall: A complex hop forward pale ale with a moderate malt backbone to support the unique interplay of hop flavors.

What food are you pairing with Streaker?

Chinese 5-spice pork stir fry, or a charcuterie spread.

Ideal glassware for Streaker?

I prefer a pint glass for this one.