BREWER: Vocation, West Yorkshire, England

STYLE: Sour IPA

ABV: 6%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

TWITTER: @vocationbrewery

INSTAGRAM: vocationbrewery

DATE OF POST: 28th November 2022

 

JYMI SAY’S…

It’s fair to say that when I have ventured into the world of sour IPA’s in the past it’s gone one of two ways. I have either ABSOLUTLY LOVED it or ABSOLUTLY HATED it.

Now, Vocation are a brewery that I trust. They have gotten a little bigger of late but their beer has remained good. So I was kinda thinking things were gonna work out just fine with this beer.

And they did, this is a truly cracking brew!

First, the picture I took doesn’t really do the colour of this beer justice. It looks sooooooo inviting and juicy. And on the taste it really is just that! I was getting tonnes of grapefruit sitting on top of an incredible mouthfeel. This citrus explosion is then balanced out by an oh so subtle honey backnote. So drinkable it is ridiculous.

I’d say Stargazer sits more in the world of sours rather than IPA but I’m totally fine with that.

This is a beer that you’ll want to go back to over and over.

Jymi’s Rating: 90%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Ok. So, let’s unpick Stargazer from the beginning. It’s a sour IPA. These usually fail miserably or achieve greatness. To add to that, Vocation promises us that it’s tangy, citrusy and hoppy. A lot to pack into a can. 

But here’s the thing. Stargazer delivers. It delivers bags of citrus flavour with a sweet honey backbite. And although not the most sour of beers, it’s got enough sourness to remind you of some of your favourite sour sweets. 

The only downside, and there are not many, to Stargazer is the shortness of the aftertaste. With a little bit of extra length, this would be up there with the best in the field. 

Well balanced, some levels of complexity and a great mouthfeel, there is no denying that this is a beer to try. 

Stargazer would fit well on any occasion. It’s a bit of a triumph to be fair. 

Very well done, indeed. Much enjoyed!

Sammy’s Rating: 90%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 90%

MOB review next weekend: CHOKKA BLOKKA by WILLIAMS BROS. BREWING CO.

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

Twitter: @museonbooze

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