Adroit Theory Zero
Sometimes beers try to be more clever than they really are. Take for instance Zero, a 7.9% ABV IPA from Adroit Theory. It’s apparently crafted with cold-brewed coffee before being aged on oak for a period of time. I’m not entirely sure how much coffee was added to the brew kettle (or even how it was added for that matter), but I didn’t get any flavors or aroma from its inclusion.
The oak aging has more of an affect on the beer than anything else and even then it’s a low level of influence. There’s not much carbonation to it and Zero feels fairly thin on the palate. I’m not sure if Trifecta 009, Ghost 098 (bottle #367) was off — it doesn’t really taste like it is — but there’s just not much flavor here.
Appearance
Zero pours with only a patchy ring around the surface of the rusty brew.
Aroma
Light citrus fruits, vanilla, distant wood, caramel, bread and a touch of alcohol mingle gently.
Taste
Not entirely sure what’s going on here. There’s wood, distant pine, bread, grain, a touch of caramel, faint citrus and a touch of vanilla. The hop bitterness is of a moderate level. I don’t get any sort of coffee presence at all. The body is a bit thin and there’s next to no carbonation.
Overall
I’m not entirely sure what the goal of this IPA was or if something went off the tracks at some point. It feels like it wants to be an American Strong Ale, but lacks the sweetness, alcohol punch and body. I was really intrigued by the prospect of an IPA with coffee notes, but it’s just not here in this particular bottle of Zero. Ah, well. Maybe next time.
Rating: 2.75/5
