Style: IPA
ABV: 7.5%
Nick’s Take
Today we are stepping outside of our East Carolina region to review our inaugural NC Beer of the Week. Our first selection comes to you from Sycamore Brewing in Charlotte, NC. Joe had picked up a 4-pack of Sycamore Brewing’s “Mountain Candy”, and offered me one for our tasting. You know what they say: good friends share good beer. This IPA comes in at 7.5% ABV and is distributed in 16 oz. cans, which you can find in many bottle shops and grocery stores.
As we sat out on the patio to pour the beer, the soft, whipped foam that was being produced in the glass immediately grabbed my attention. This beer has a velvety-smooth collar when poured, and resembles a meringue. The color of the beer itself was quite hazy, and might be best described as murky gold. However, for me, the head was the most appealing part of this beer’s appearance. Despite having a really solid collar, I struggled to detect aromas through the nose. There were some faint notes of tropical fruit present, but it’s not an overwhelmingly aromatic beer. While it may lack in that regard, it has a very pleasant mouthfeel. As you might guess based on the appearance, this beer is soft and has a light, smooth finish. I noticed a little bit of mouthcoating, as well – likely attributed to the sweetness of the beer. “Mountain Candy” lives up to its reputation: fruit candy-forward, with a juicy and sweet profile. I picked up some plum and mango, and in between tastes, experienced floral hops in my retronasal smells. For those with a sweet tooth (like me), you’ll likely be reminded of tropical-flavored Starbursts or Skittles. Despite its sweet, juicy profile, I think this beer would pair really well with grilled meat – brats came to mind immediately – or greasy/fried food. It was also very delicious by itself. Enjoy this IPA out on the porch on a cool summer night, by the grill, at the pool or the beach, or virtually anywhere it is acceptable (and legal) to consume beer. Sycamore brewed a really sessionable beer with “Mountain Candy”.
Appearance: Hazy gold color (murky), whipped/velvety head when poured, leaves some lace in the glass. (4.5/5)
Aroma: Subtle aroma, faint tropical fruit notes. (3.5/5)
Mouthfeel: Soft, fluffy, with a little mouthcoating. (4.5/5)
Taste: Plum and mango notes, with floral hops in retronasal; reminiscent of juicy/tropical fruit chews. (4.5/5)
Drinkability: Sessionable; would be great with grilled and/or greasy foods. (5/5)
Total: 22/25
Joe’s Take
Picture a Harris Teeter beer aisle stacked with cans and bottles of various regional and national craft beers. I’ve been in this aisle many times before but on this trip a clean colorful can caught my eye. With a name like “Mountain Candy” how could I refuse? I picked up the 4-pack of 16 oz cans produced by Sycamore Brewing in Charlotte, NC and couldn’t wait to get home and try them.
This solid IPA pours a deep yellow-gold with a fluffy white head. Although “Mountain Candy” is not branded as a hazy IPA, it was moderately hazy in the glass and required some focus to see through. On the nose this beer is subtle, and gives off some sweet stone fruit and plum aromas. It also has a gentle hop aroma that is more on the dank side; not too piney, resinous, or overbearing. Once in the mouth this beer is smooth, soft, and medium bodied. It has a nice carbonation level that isn’t too overbearing. The taste of this beer mimics and amplifies its subtle aromas with characteristics of stone fruit, mild sweetness, aromatic hops, and maybe a hint of melon. Even with such a sugary name, its sweetness is not overwhelming and I find it quite inviting. It strikes a nice balance and is highly drinkable. Its refreshing sweetness would cut the greasiness and savory flavors of something like a burger (which actually sounds like a good idea for dinner tonight).
Overall, I see “Mountain Candy” as an excellent beer to enjoy with a few friends on the back porch as the sun sets and the afternoon heat settles.
Appearance: Deep yellow-gold, slight haze, abundant white fluffy head (3.5/5)
Aroma: Stone fruit, plum, hop dankness (4/5)
Mouthfeel: smooth, soft, medium body, moderate carbonation (4.5/5)
Taste: Stone fruit, hint of melon, subtle sweetness, floral hop aroma with mild bitterness (4.5/5)
Drinkability: sessionable (but be careful with that ABV!), had me reaching for another can (4.5/5)
Total: 21/25
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