Review – Unity 22 IPA from Highland Park Brewery

Time to give the verdict on the 2022 Unity beer, an IPA from Highland Park Brewery.

The label has a Muppet feel to it which is cool with the logos on the left but not so much with the reaching hands from the word Unity.

The beer pours a dark orange and right off the bat loads of Concord grape here. A lemon note backs that up. Medium to low bitterness level to me. This review is from first day of release so it was at freshness peak. It is light and refreshing and as it warms up more tropical flavors appear.

Time for Timbo

Mark your calendar, Highland Park Brewery’s Timbo Week 2022 kicks off this year on June 10th with a canned release of Timbo Pils plus more pils-y fun.

Bob Kunz and crew are busy making as much as they can since last year they whipped through the stock in three days. To make it last longer they are brewing up a batch at the teeny tiny original location too. Last time they did that was back in 2018!

World Beer Cup – Los Angeles medals

The World Beer Cup spent Cinco de Mayo passing out medals.

Beachwood was the big local winner with three medals. Figueroa Mountain picked up a pair which I count as L.A. because of the Westlake Village outpost. Below are the Los Angeles area medalists:

Gold

Highland Park Brewery – Hello, L.A. – International Pale Ale

Silver

Lincoln Beer Co. – Mosaic Pilsner – American-Style Pilsner

Cellador Ales – Akimbo – Fruited Wood and Barrel- Aged Sour

Beachwood – Full Malted Jacket – Scotch Ale

Bronze

San Fernando Brewing Co. – Imperial Death Star – American-Style Imperial Stout

Beachwood Blendery – Funk Yeah – Belgian- Style Sour

Beachwood – Mocha Machine – Coffee Stout

Highland Brave

Finally seeing an L.A version of Brave Noise. From Highland Park Brewery.


“Brave Noise is a worldwide collaboration with one big goal: a safe & discrimination-free bee industry. HPB is very proud to be a participating brewery in the Brave Noise campaign & hope it helps push for continued growth & accountability in our industry.


It is a 6%ABV hazy west coast pale ale hopped with Citra, Copper, & Nelson hops. We’re very excited to be using Michigan grown Copper hops from HopHead Farms for the first time ever, such a rad hop! This beer explodes with aromas of tangerine, lime caviar, green gummy bear, & bright lemon zest.


A portion of proceeds from Brave Noise will be going to support @ihollagram. An organization that has a mission aimed to end harassment in all its forms by transforming the culture that perpetuates hate & harassment. They carry out this mission by building the power of everyday people to create safe & welcoming environments for all. Check out their page to learn more about Hollaback & to see how you can support.”


Best Beers of July 2021 + IPA Ranking

Let’s go straight to the top, my favorite beer of the month is Natural Born Shredders from the combined talents of Beachwood Brewing and Highland Park Brewery. This IPA has a Wonderful aroma.  Bright with dried fruit and pine. As it warms sone cat pee notes creep in. Loads of tangerine flavor.  Overall light mouthfeel.  Nice bitterness bite that lingers.

So let’s update the IPA rankings before mentioning a couple honorable mentions.

3 – Crooked Stave Idaho 7 IPA

2 – Offshoot Beer Co. DDH Visions

1 – Beachwood / Highland Park Natural Born Shredders

Two other really great beers wowed me this month. Total Boss Red IPA from Smog City was malty and hoppy and filling in equal measure. Radiant Beer Co. and their Can Down By the River Motivational Lager which from can design to flavor was great.

Timbo Week

The Timbo is upon us…

From July 16th through July 23rd, get your Pils on with Timbo Week at Highland Park Brewery.

Here are the details: “a whole week dedicated to our beloved Timbo Pils! We’re gonna be celebrating this west coast Pilsner for a whole week with special releases, merch (yes, Timbo Pils glassware! Yes, Timbo Pils shirts!), Timbo inspired food specials, 4 different canned Timbo style beers, one off draft only Timbo style beers, & even a Timbo cutout so you can be a can of Timbo! Woo!

Timbo Week kicks off Friday July 16th with a can release of what else… Timbo Pils! We’ll have special releases each day that you won’t want to miss.”

Dynamic Duo

There are collaborations and then there are super collaborations. Highland Park + Beachwood, well that is the level above super.

Here are the double details…

Natural Born Shredder – West Coast-style IPA, our version of the previous beer collab released at Highland Park Brewery.

No Chestnuts in This Beer – Hoppy & crisp Italian-style pilsner, just in time as the warm weather creeps upon us for this pilsner.”

High Seven vs Double High Seven

Whichever High Seven reaches higher? Let’s dig into the two anniversary IPA’s from Highland Park Brewery.

H7 – pours a darker yellow color. Spicy and grassy aroma. Light and lively for 7%. Grapefruit pith is the first flavor identified. Getting a rye character as well.  Has a medium hop bite to it. 

DH7 – this was a gusher. I set the can down, turned away and eruption. After the cleaning, the beer was super hazy. Sweet tart and lactose. Soft with a fruit punch spike.  Tongue scrape action like in my first hazies.