Beer Review: Blue Point Hoptical Illusion

Blue Point Brewing Company: Hoptical Illusion
Long Island, NY
Style: American IPA
ABV: 6.8%
Beeradvocate Rating: B+
Serving type: Bottle
Purchased at: The Foodery

Look: Golden orange

Smell: Pine, Lemon

Taste: Citrus, Orange, Floral/piney, Grainy

Feel: Light to medium body, Low carbonation

Drinkability: High

I’ve been meaning to try this beer the last five times I went to Wegman’s back home, but I always end up getting something different. My first encounter with a Bluepoint beer was with their seasonal “Toxic Sludge” IPA.  I had it on tap at Kraftwork and was very pleased. With that said, Hoptical Illusion had a lot to match up to.

The beer pours a golden orange color, similar to that of a Dogfish Head 60 minute IPA. When you crack this one pine and lemon zest scents escape the bottle. It tastes slightly sweet up front with notes of citrus, particularly oranges. Piney/floral hops dominate this beer accompanied by a grainy-bread malt backbone. Overall it is solidly bitter throughout with a well balanced and dry finish. The bitter taste fades. This is a good IPA, but nothing special. I’d still take the Toxic Sludge over this beer any day.

My Rating: B