8 Wired Brewing Co. Hopwired IPA

The 8 Wired Brewing Co. is in Blenheim, Marlborough, New Zealand.  Their brews are contract brewed by Renaissance Brewing.

http://www.8wired.co.nz/

This 7.3% ABV beer pours a muddy-looking brown-orange-amber in color.  there is a quarter inch of thick and creamy off white head that leaves heavy lacing down the glass.  The aroma is spicy, a very rye/pumpernickel type maltiness, a bit yeasty, some light fruitiness, a heavy and pungent port/sherry component, and a tinge of near vomit.  The taste is all rye/pumpernickel bread with a dry and slightly bitter finish, with an aftertaste of strong cold tea with a touch of lemon. 

There is no bottling or best before date on this.  It is obviously not fresh, not surprising as it came from New Zealand all the way to end up at John's Grocery in Iowa City, Iowa.  I would love to try it fresh, according to the bottle its New Zealand hops should impart tropical fruit flavors of passion fruit, lime, and orange, and gooseberries with some grassiness.  Unfortunately, not in my bottle.