Empyrean Brewing Co. - "Carpe Brewem" mango IPA

Apparently my review of this super tasty mango IPA has been sitting in my drafts folder, languishing, for quite some time. Shame on me! This is one of a pair of brews that my colleague Dustin got this for me on a trip to Nebraska a while back (the other being Kinkaider Brewing Co.'s "Devil's Gap" jalapeno ale.) However, Dustin has also brought me a blueberry ale which will be posted tomorrow!

Made by Empyrean Brewing Co. out of Lincoln, NE, this 7.80% ABV imperial IPA is brewed with mango extract and a variety of hops: Simcoe, Citra, and Cascade. Behold the "Carpe Brewem."

Mango has quickly become a popular ingredient for brewers. Dogfish Head uses it in their "Romantic Chemistry" IPA; San Diego's Ballast Point releases a brilliant session ale called "Mango Even Keel"; and Harpoon Brewery makes a fun beer called "Camp Wannamango." Just like the pumpkin craze of the early part of this decade, mango is rapidly becoming a fixture in summer seasonal beer offerings.

Pours quickly with a thin nose - some thin white foam, but nothing too generous.

Interesting, the most dominant flavor here is the hop backbone to the beer, not the fruit. Sure, the mango does make an appearance, but it's not the centerpiece. I like the hop blend as well - Citra is one of my favorite hops - and the hint of tangy hop bitterness doesn't overwhelm the sweet mango.

What I like most about this is that it's not overly concerned with being mango-flavored. While the "Mango Even Keel" is great in terms of mango flavor, it's also rather light and one-dimensional - namely the mango dimension (also a great name for a prog rock band.) It's important to draw not just on the main flavor component but the "base" craft beer component as well, which is why I like that the "Carpe Brewem" has good notes of mango but doesn't forget its IPA heritage, which makes for a rather tasty beer. Thanks Dustin!