Flying Monkeys Smashbomb Atomic IPA

I'm always on the lookout for new things - I mean come on, who doesn't want to try everything from every brewery out there?  Ok maybe that's just me and I'm some sort of weird beer hoarder, but when I hear there's a new brewery coming to sell in my state?  I'm on it like toast on malt.  (Ba-dum ching!)  A mid-blizzard visit to my local beer heaven (Lizardville!) brought me news that Flying Monkeys, a Canadian company, was now distributing in Ohio, so of course I had to pick up a few things.  I purchased their Triple Chocolate Milk Stout (to be reviewed at a later date) and their Smashbomb Atomic IPA.  I was most intrigued by their ADHD style packaging art, because what can I say, I am in love with all that is crazy and just a little bit weird!

Beer: Smashbomb Atomic IPA

Brewery: Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery
Style: American IPA
ABV: 6.0%

Glass: Pint

Appearance: Pours a very clear deep gold color with an amazingly thick and fluffy off-white head that just refuses to quit and leaves a heavy lacing as it descends the glass.  Consider me impressed already - but maybe I'm easy.

Aroma:  Heavy aroma of citra hops is very promising and inviting to the taster.

Body & Texture: The heavier side of a light body, with a smooth mouthfeel.  The hop bitterness gives the sensation of much more carbonation than there is (which isn't much), and is a pleasing trade-off. 

Taste: Thick pine flavor suggests perhaps simcoe or chinook hops.  Pine gives way to citrus in the medium finish.  Very crisp and fresh.  My first reaction was of a medium-dryness, however towards mid glass this seems to be a much less dry IPA.  

Overall: 4/5 First of all, consider me impressed with the head retention of this beer - halfway down the glass and fifteen minutes later I'm still sucking beer through a quarter inch of fluffy cloud-like beer head.  This is what I would consider a good solid IPA.  Not too weak, not to bitter.  While not too "in your face," it still presents a solid example of the style and makes for a good tasting and very drinkable beverage.  Quite often I'm hesitant to say that I would be comfortable drinking an IPA with food - the flavors make me feel as though the beer would detract from whatever food I'm attempting to consume.  That being said, I would drink this with dinner.  This would be an excellent break in IPA, for someone who isn't sure they like a lot of hops but wants to at least attempt to taste the style.  While the hops are quite flavorful, you're not going to have to call the beer police after the assault on your mouth when you drink this one.  

Check out the Flying Monkeys website at http://www.theflyingmonkeys.ca/ and give them a try, especially if you're in Ohio where they're new!