Beer of the Month: Deep Space goes deep as fruity, balanced double IPA

The beer: Deep Space, Half Acre Beer Co. (Chicago)

What it is: A seasonal double IPA from Half Acre that’s among my very favorite beers made in Chicago. Deep Space is a gloriously fruity-bitter-boozy hop bomb that’s impossibly easy to drink. It’s the rare Half Acre IPA featuring darker malt in the mash, which leads to a sweeter, bready character, thicker mouthfeel and a darker hue amid the flood of juicy hops.

In the can: Dank sticky fruit — mango, apricot, papaya — leap out in the aroma (which deserves a hearty appreciation before the first sip), tempered by notes of pine, caramel and a touch of bread pudding. Deep Space offers robust fruitiness — the same mango, apricot and papaya with a touch of grapefruit rind — in a viscous body (there’s the malt at work) and tempered by a lingering earthy, bitter finish. Deep Space is bold, balanced and beautiful.