Beer Review: Enigma (Anchorage Brewing Company)
Enigma: e·nig·ma/iˈniɡmə/noun a person or thing that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand.
What the definition above misses is that “Enigma” can also refer to a German band from the 90’s, a cryptic coding machine, or for the purposes of this article, a beer. With regards to the beer, the only mystery is how Anchorage manages to keep turning out hit after hit.
The Brew
Beer: Enigma
Brewery: Anchorage Brewing Company
Style: IPA – New England (Hazy)
ABV: 6.4%
IBU: N/A
Untappd Description: “New England style IPA brewed with Citra and Enigma hops“
Enjoy In: Teku or IPA Glass
Enjoy At: 50-55 degrees Fahrenheit
The Review
By now you’ve heard of collaborations between two breweries. Under normal circumstances a beer from this collab is generated by one or both of the head brewers. This is what you would expect. With Enigma however, a homebrewer is taking the spotlight because Anchorage’s overseer of hopped beverages, Gabe Fletcher, was so impressed, he invited Brian Hall (this brew’s creator) to come to the brewery and create a batch for the masses. Woah! To be fair, Brian is no greenhorn at brewing, since he’s been at the craft for fifteen (15!) years with a blog and podcast to boot!
The nose is flush with sweet fruit esters that effortlessly gives way to floral hops. This aroma is apparent from the moment the can is opened and amplifies as it collects in the chosen glass. There is no seeing through this 6.4% liquid, which makes it true to the “New England” IPA style, as does the texture, which is soft, full, and velvety. Subtle notes of tropical fruits linger on the tongue and slowly slip away to slightly bitter. What a perfect way to coax another sip.
In a way “Enigma” sort of defies its definition, because those that know Anchorage, know its origin. Those that don’t know the story would never suspect a collaboration had ever happened, let alone one between a brewery and a homebrewer. To that end, Enigma accomplishes its mission of being an outstanding brew from a brewery renowned for producing some of the most delicious IPA’s and delectable sours and wild ales the frozen Northwest has to offer.
My Untappd Score: ****-1/2
Global Rating: 4.03 (As of 7/23/19)
PROST!
-J.Doncevic
