2017 Advent Beer 5: Naparbier's Alien Klaw

At last, the inevitable return to hop country! Alien Klaw is labelled as a 'Belgian IPA' or India Pale Ale. IPAs are interesting (not least because most people think Alexander Keith's is one, when it is actually a lager), as additional hops were added as a preservatives to British ales shipped to India. The extra hops made them more bitter and citrusy than a standard ale, which undoubtedly felt quite refreshing during a hot, humid day on the subcontinent.

I was prepared to dismiss the Belgian style as marketing flim-flammery, but BeerAdvocate describes it as a recent innovation and style 'in development. So, Naparbier's attempt then incorporates Spanish, English, Belgian, and Indian elements, at least historically. Whew!

Alien Claw pours a cloudy, hazy yellow-gold, quite pleasant to gaze upon reflectively-or would have been, had the aggressive head formation not promoted some frantic slurping on my part. Once things had receded a bit, the first sips revealed the tangy, citrus notes you expect from a proper IPA, but the bitterness was smoothed out a bit by the higher alcohol sweetness (6.8%ABV). Sharp, tart, and smooth.

I'm by no means a serious hophead, but my respect for the style is sufficient for me to appreciate this spin on it, and I would absolutely try this beer again. Still not precisely sure what I am looking at on the label though.