New England Zapata Bot (365 Day 22)

By scot in 365 Days of American Craft Beer on Thursday, December 23rd, 2010

New England Brewing Company Zapata Bot

After having Black Tuesday as my American craft beer of the day for beer #21, I was working on a plan for the beer that I would have for #22. How could I follow up such a good beer? I needed something that would be good but figured it better not be in the same style or anything close, that way I wouldn’t even try to compare the beer to Black Tuesday.

Simple enough. Zapata Bot by New England Brewing Company is an American Imperial IPA made from the base beer of Gandhi-Bot then aged on Tequila and oak.

So the combination of IPA, Tequila, and oak should all be somewhat worthy of helping me concentrate and review the beer in front of me. They only made slightly over 700 bottles, making me fortunate to have one to review.

The beer pours out an amazingly huge head that quickly cuts down to about 60% of its beginning volume, then lasting and becoming frothy. Unique to begin. The aroma is strong on hops. Oak and earth tones compliment, enriching the nose. Taste isn’t far behind but seemingly more complex as a treasure chest worth of flavors abound from the glass. A really unique spin on the style that completely worked for me. Enjoy!

Aroma: 9, Taste: 9, Look: 8, Drinkability: 9, Overall: 8.9

Useless Fact: The giant squid, found usually in the deep reaches of the oceans, has the largest eye of any animal.