Damn, 2017 is flashing past like, well, Barry Allen. Since half the year is history, time to highlight beers that have struck a chord in the past six months.
Since the interwebs loves a Top 10, here (in no order) are the beers that made me want more…
Sierra Nevada Beer Camp Golden IPA
I have tasted five 1/2 of the beers in the Beer Camp Across the World, none have the zip and hop bite of this January release.
Firestone Walker / Beavertown West Side Beavo
This is a fun can design and a super satisfying lighter beer. A London-ized take on Pivo.
Oskar Blues Hotbox IPA
Not many black or coffee IPA’s get the balance right but the coffee and the hops really work here.
El Segundo / Highland Park L.A. Gold
A hop amped Kellerbier that doesn’t hold out on either side of it’s equation.
Russian River Scratching Post Pils
This beer edges out West Side Beavo as most refreshing on a hot day in Paso Robles. Just a simple, table beer that I wish I had a keg of at home.
Cellador Firegold # 6 with grapefruit
I had this on draft and on cask and both times the grapefruit really popped. Tasted like a fresh cut ruby red.
Arrow Lodge Pale to the King
First beer from this new outer L.A. brewery and a strong start to their hoppy game.
New Belgium Voodoo Ranger IPA
I haven’t had the latest fruited IPA’s from this Jack Skellington-esque series but the regular IPA is tasty and light.
El Segundo Unity 2017 IPA
Call me a homer, but this year’s LABW9 beer was excellent. Not as strong and Hammerlandly as the normal beers from ESBC.
Fonta Flora Carolina Custard
My favorite beer from the Firestone Invitiational. Weird. Silky. New flavors. It all worked.
Eagle Rock Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Bitter
No, not a hop bomb but it is my favorite of the year so far. Smooth and silky with a focus on malts that seems single minded but just works. If you see it on Nitro, get two pints.