Okay so maybe “orange creamsicle” (the soda or ice cream, not the cocktail) isn’t necessarily nostalgic to everyone, but it’s a flavor that does evoke a bit of nostalgia for me for some reason, and summer is the time for it. Iron Hill Brewery recently released a riff on the concept with its limited-edition Orange Creamsicle Milkshake IPA, released on draft and in cans (four of which the brewery sent to me).

It’s a 7% ABV, double dry-hopped IPA that goes full milkshake with blood orange puree and lactose. The description says:

Hooray for Summer and especially for this hazy, juicy, and creamy double dry-hopped Milkshake IPA. Brewed with lactose and finished with blood orange puree for a craft beer that tastes just like your favorite ice cream treat.

I never received a press release about the beer itself, but Brewbound has it online if you’re interested. And for a bit more summertime fun, Iron Hill published a blog post on how to create the perfect Orange Creamsicle Milkshake IPA ice cream float.

I haven’t tried the ice cream float concept, but here are my notes on the beer—does it hit the nostalgia button?

Appearance: Murky brownish-orange, completely opaque. White head is the only indicator this is in fact a beer.

Smell: I definitely get orange creamsicle in the aroma—orange, vanilla, sweet cream, so on this front it’s a success. There are some hops underneath the dessert-y aromas, but it’s primarily orange creamsicle through and through.

Taste: Combination of the orange and the lactose with a pithy bitterness, though this bitterness isn’t overwhelming. There’s a fresh orange character that’s all fruit with peel and pith and all. There’s some creamsicle sweetness, then a bit of hop burn/spicy heat. A touch vegetal towards the end with that hop burn?

Mouthfeel: Medium-full body, a bit… turgid? That’s the aspect of milkshake IPAs I have a hard time with. There’s a bit of lingering hop burn in the finish.

Overall: It’s decent for the style, with a really good aroma, but I find the flavor is a bit lacking in comparison.

Nostalgia? In the aroma, absolutely. Unfortunately I found the hop burn to be too distracting in the flavor. However, I may have to try the ice cream float to see what I think then!