BEER REVIEW: 364

BREWER: Magic Rock Brewing, West Yorkshire, England

STYLE: Wheat IPA 

ABV: 6.5%

VESSEL: 440ml tin

X: @MagicRockBrewCo

INSTAGRAM: magicrockbrewing

DATE OF POST: 29th September 2024

 

JYMI SAY’S…

Solar Gaze is a Wheat IPA that promises a refreshing sip but ultimately falls short for me. Starting at the start, I got very faint cereal aroma on the ol whiff, odd though not unpleasant.

The first sip is smooth, very smooth in fact, with a texture that borders on creamy—almost banana-like. And there is an initial subtle hint of banana notes in the flavour too that meld with a wave of bitter orange. It’s an intriguing start, and the beer seems poised to deliver a vibrant, refreshing hit. However, the flavours quickly thicken, shifting the sip from light and citrusy to something heavier.

As SG settles on the palate, the bitter orange grows more pronounced, lingering into a long aftertaste. Unfortunately, what begins as a promising orange bitterness veers into something almost acrid, leaving a lasting impression that feels off. It’s this final note that throws the balance of the beer, turning what could have been an enjoyable aftertaste into a drawback.
While Solar Gaze shows glimpses of greatness with its smooth texture and initial flavour profile, the finish doesn’t quite hit the mark. It’s close to being a refreshing wheat IPA, but for me, it misses the target. Worth trying if you’re curious, but perhaps not a repeat buy.

Jymi’s Rating: 52%

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

There once was a brew, Solar Gaze,
Whose label had artful displays,
With a head that was tall,
It poured well overall,
But its modern look stole starry praise.

With mango and pineapple near,
The nose brought a tropical cheer,
But the wheat in the mix,
Didn’t add to the fix,
Though the bitter-sweet sip was quite clear.

Not complex but worthy, I’d say,
A drink for a casual day,
No record to break,
But a decent intake,
A wheat IPA on display.

Solar Gaze in the glass shines bright,

A wheat IPA that’s just about alright,

Not a world-class affair,

But it’s tasty, I swear,

A brew for a calm, easy night.

Sammy’s Rating: 71%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 61.5%

MOB review next weekend: CHERRY CHOUFFE by BRASSERIE d’ACHOUFFE

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

Twitter: @museonbooze

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