Brooklyn uses a proprietary low-alcohol fermentation process across the Special Effects range, and the IPA is probably the clearest demonstration of what that approach achieves. The malt base stays out of the way, giving the hops room to do what they're supposed to do. The result is genuinely hop-forward: tropical fruit up front, citrus through the middle, a dry bitter finish. It pours a clear bright gold with a proper foamy head. The aroma brings pineapple and mango with a grassy undertone, and the carbonation is lively enough that it drinks with some energy. The body is light but not thin, which is where a lot of AF IPAs fall short. The bitterness lingers in a way that feels earned. Worth noting that this sits alongside the Grapefruit IPA in the range, which pushes the citrus much harder. The standard IPA is the more balanced of the two.