3.7
AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 14/20
Adding
fruit to beer is nothing new, though adding fruit to hoppy beers seems
to be a new trend among breweries. Citrus and IPAs would seem to be a
natural combination, so it’s no surprise that Horny Goat Tango Delta is
an IPA with tangerine juice added. Don’t be mistaken: this is not a
fruit beer, this is a true IPA with significant citrus flavor. Though
due to the age of the can it’s not really juicy per se; more of an IPA
that’s more overtly citrusy than others.
I poured a 16oz can into a tulip glass. It was canned on 11/4/14.
Appearance: Pale orange hue, slightly hazy. Pours to a fairly large, off-white, soapy head which retains and laces fairly well.
Smell: Orange fruit with a slight spicy/herbal scent. An interesting combination of aromas.
Taste: Sharp, biting bitterness is the first thing I notice about this beer. Orange pith and peel flavors are evident immediately; the hops don’t wait around in this palette. Slight orange juice or orange-flavoring follow; they create for a slight sweetness but not to the point of giving the palette genuine balance. The hops re-group and bite down on the palate as they finish; it’s more a dry, spicy sensation than any kind of dank or juicy character. The tangerine juice seems to be used simply to enhance the nature citrusy flavor of the hops, which is fine. I’d probably say this beer might actually be a little too bitter for its own good, but what’s here is fine and enjoyable.
Drinkability: For a 6.8% ABV, 69 IBU brew, Horny Goat Tango Delta is actually rather light in the body. It has a rather high amount of carbonation and a relatively light body for the potency. It’s crisp on the tongue and might even be genuinely refreshing for a moment or two. The hops do linger and leave a mild drying/spicy sensation but it’s quite easy to overlook. Pair it with spicy Asian cuisine with oranges.
Score: 7/10
