Need a good beer to go with some ‘fava’ beans? Perhaps something to wash down your growing unease dealing with a mentor who might not be on the up and up while trying to solve a deadly and dangerous case? Then we got the beer for you!

If you’re looking for a hazy hop bomb to kick off your next brewery adventure—or want to sip something bold with a touch of mystery—Agent Starling by Shy Bear Brewing might just have your number.

We recently got our hands on a can of this Imperial Hazy IPA out of Lewistown, Pennsylvania, and it left us with a few questions—just like a good secret agent should. At 9.3% ABV and clocking in at 36 IBU, Agent Starling promises to deliver bright, complex hop character with the smooth drinkability fans of the hazy style crave. But does it live up to the assignment?

Let’s dive in.

First Impressions: Appearance and Pour

Agent Starling pours a hazy golden-orange with a straw-to-amber hue—cloudy, but not the thick, murky haze you’d find in the most decadent New England-style IPAs. A light white head settles quickly, leaving minimal lacing behind.

If you’re expecting a juice bomb based on appearance alone, this one’s already playing tricks.

The Nose Knows: Aroma

The aroma is delicate and restrained. You’ll pick up subtle tropical notes—pineapple, citrus zest, maybe a whiff of mango—but it doesn’t overwhelm the senses. There’s also a gentle pine resin backbone hovering beneath the surface, hinting at a more West Coast-style bitterness to come.

Fans of punchy, expressive nose-forward hazies might find this one a bit quiet. But there’s something to be said for a little subtlety—it keeps you guessing.

The Taste Test: Flavor and Mouthfeel

Where this beer really flexes is in its balance. Upfront, there’s a mellow sweetness—grapefruit, pineapple, and light melon—followed by a shift into piney bitterness and a slightly resinous finish.

Despite its high ABV, it drinks clean and surprisingly smooth. You definitely get a warming note toward the end, but it’s never aggressive. The body is medium to light for the style—less pillowy than most hazies, but not thin either.

One reviewer on BeerAdvocate summed it up well:

“Smooth, slightly piney but grapefruity sweet front with an effortless finish. Nice and crushable but a little simplistic.”

We agree—this feels like a beer bridging two IPA worlds: part juicy, part classic hop backbone.

Complexity or Simplicity?

Some drinkers might be underwhelmed by the lighter haze and softer aroma, especially if they’re expecting a saturated New England experience. Others noted a slightly off “chemical” flavor in certain cans. That wasn’t our experience, but it’s worth mentioning if you’re sensitive to off-notes.

Still, we think Agent Starling does exactly what it sets out to do—deliver a flavorful, high-ABV hazy with a refined edge.

Final Verdict: Smooth Operator or Missed Target?

On Untappd, Agent Starling currently holds a 3.8/5 average from around 70 ratings. Over on BeerAdvocate, it clocks in with a respectable 80 (“Good”) rating. Both reflect a beer that’s earned some loyal fans, even if it doesn’t blow the haze-heads away.

 What We Liked:

• Smooth and surprisingly crushable for a 9.3% DIPA
• Balanced hop profile—both fruity and piney
• Clean, drinkable finish with subtle bitterness

 What We Didn’t:

• Lighter haze and aroma than expected
• Lacks some of the intensity hop chasers love
• Occasional feedback of chemical aftertaste from others (not our can)

TL;DR

Agent Starling is a stealthy operator. It might not overwhelm your senses with haze or juiciness, but it delivers a balanced, drinkable profile that’s easy to appreciate. A little West Coast edge on a New England framework gives this DIPA a unique identity.

If you’re passing through Central PA or planning a stop at Shy Bear Brewing, give this agent a spin. Just don’t expect her to give up all her secrets right away.

Final Rating: 3.75 / 5

Have you tried Agent Starling or any other beers from Shy Bear Brewing? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—or better yet, tag us on Instagram or Facebook @TheBeerThrillers and share your pours!

Cheers!

— B. Kline, The Beer Thrillers