Great Lakes Vibacious is a beer that packs a punch with its 9.0% ABV. As an expert sommelier and brewer, I can tell you that this beer is brewed with a carefully selected combination of ingredients to create a bold and flavorful yet incredibly drinkable experience.
The brewers at Great Lakes have chosen to use a blend of three different hop varieties in Vibacious: Apollo, Cashmere, and Citra. Each hop brings its own unique characteristics to the beer, contributing to its overall flavor profile. Apollo hops are known for their high alpha acid content, which gives the beer a nice bitterness. Cashmere hops add a touch of tropical fruit and citrus notes, while Citra hops contribute to the beer's bright and vibrant aroma.
In addition to the hops, Vibacious also contains wheat and oats. These grains add a smooth and creamy mouthfeel to the beer, creating a pillowy texture that is both satisfying and easy to drink. The wheat and oats also contribute to the beer's overall body, giving it a nice fullness that balances well with the hop flavors.
As a personal anecdote, I recently had the pleasure of trying Vibacious for the first time. The aroma was incredibly inviting, with notes of grapefruit, pineapple, and a touch of pine. Upon taking my first sip, I was immediately struck by the beer's bold hop character. The bitterness was present but well-balanced, and the tropical fruit flavors from the Cashmere hops really shone through. The wheat and oats added a nice smoothness to the beer, making it incredibly easy to drink despite its higher alcohol content.
To summarize, the ingredients in Great Lakes Vibacious include a blend of Apollo, Cashmere, and Citra hops, as well as wheat and oats. These carefully selected ingredients work together to create a beer that is bold and flavorful, yet surprisingly drinkable. Whether you're a hop lover or simply looking for a beer with a bit of a kick, Vibacious is definitely worth a try.