Our second and final huge, Gigantic review is the Hole in the Head IPA, cause you need another IPA like you need…you get the picture.
Up and Down the Hill
El Segundo Brewing went from a bevy of great pale ales to Two Five Left, a double. Now they circle back to a locally named Grand Hill IPA. Here is what one of our LA “bitter” breweries has to say about the new beer, “Named after the hill you have to slog back up from El Porto.. since it is precisely what you’ll be looking for after a day in the surf and sun, and a 1/4 mile climb straight back up to town!
Nothing but base malt, Big Bitterness, 7.2% ABV, and a heavy dose of Amarillo and Centennial hops make this India Pale Ale a nod to what has made the California IPA what it is today. Bright presence of lemon zest in the aroma leads well into a base of pine and citrus in the palate.”
I will be checking to see what Rob has up his hop sleeve here.
Food GPS Teaser – IPA
Tomorrow, the first in a series of California-centric postings on Food GPS. With the recent passing of the 2013 IPA day, I will select 10 bitter bombs brewed in California. Beer Styles will alternate with best beer spots in different parts of the vast and sprawling mega-plex that is Los Angeles. Starting with Downtown L.A.
I fully expect and encourage comments and rants about what was included and what was left out. Mostly I want people to know that you can come to Los Angeles and find the best in craft beer.
Video Review – Mother Earth Auld Knucker
I reviewed one IPA from Mother Earth Brew Co. in June before the “hiatus”. and here (finally) is the second review of a hoppy offering from San Diego that have become available in Los Angeles. I picked both up at Vendome in Toluca Lake, which is on my beer buying circuit.
And here is what the brewery has to say about it, ““Sometimes there is nothing like a simple, refreshing, single American-style India Pale Ale…especially the West Coast variety. In a world of over-complicated beers and brewing extremity, Auld Knucker (pronounced Old Nucker) stands out by using a simple grain bill of domestic Pale 2-Row, crystal malt, and a bit of honey malt, paired with a citrusy hop combo.”
Review – Eye Patch IPA from Monday Night Brewing
I received a lovely care package from Monday Night Brewing in Atlanta and I have moved onto their Eye Patch IPA. Oh and just to add a little context to my mindset while reviewing, I am listening to Line of Fire by Junip and reading Life after Life by Kate Atkinson. Not at the same time. Not a multi-tasker am I. Anyhoo, on to the review…..
I like the eye patch guy on the label. It is a really good design from the front logo to the back which includes a Mark Twain quote, what to pair with the beer glyphs and which hops and malt were used. Nice packaging. Eye Patch pours a light orange. Aroma is akin to peach skin to me. Faint but nice. Taste is again fairly mild for my West Coast IPA sensibilities but the taste is quite nice. Slight citrus notes and lots of bready notes that normally get buried under an avalanche of hops in many IPAs.
Review – Tenaya Creek Hop Ride IPA
To some Las Vegas means only Sin City, but to those in the know, the glittering city also has some beer spots. Maybe not rivaling the beer soaked Portlands and Denvers of the world, yet,but they are moving in the right direction.
That is the semi-ling preamble to my review of Tenaya Creek’s Hop Ride IPA.
Spooky rattler on the label. Pours an orange/yellow color. Fluffy head on this one. Spicy and floral aroma. Bitterness is medium to me and it sticks around on the roof of the mouth. Little bite at the beginning of each sip. A little caramel taste around too.
Video Review – Mother Earth # 1 – Kismet IPA
June takes us to San Diego and Mother Earth Brew Co. I will be reviewing two of their hoppy offerings that have become available in Los Angeles. First stop: Kismet.
“Do you believe in fate, destiny, chance, will? Does it really matter? Something brought you to drink this beer. Oh wait, could it be a mad man of an IPA that reeks of NZ Nelson hops and leaves a lingering anesthetic bitterness that is sure to ruin any beer consumed after it? Columbus tends to do that. You forgot what we were talking about didn’t you? Did you care in the first place? That’s what we thought. Just relax and savor every sip, that is, if you can take your schnoz out of your glass.”
20 for Avery
I am an Avery fan with a bit of a caveat, their IPA’s leave me a little cold. Maybe I expect too much but they just don’t have the zing of their saisons and especially their Rumpkin and barrel aged beers. That being said, I will not be missing this anniversary IPA….
“This year marks our 20th time around the sun brewing craft beers we love to drink. Each May, we release a special recipe in honor of our anniversary, and this year we present to you Twenty XX India Pale Ale.
A beautiful dosing of Amarillo hops gives a citrus punch to this aromatic double IPA, while the Simcoe® hops provide intense dankness. What else would you expect from us, a bunch of severely hop obsessed brewers, to celebrate such a glorious occasion?”
Review – Sculpin (in cans)
My bier buddy Richard aka Cap’n, recently went to San Diego and he brought back the new, canned version of the iconic Sculpin IPA from Ballast Point.
Here is what I found when I opened the cans….
Pours a lovely orange color. I am a little dubious about the variety of fruits listed on the label but I am surprised to get quite a bit of apricot balanced out by a charming hit of hops. The bitterness isn’t super big but it adds a nice punch akin to sea salt too caramel. Just tastes more frutier than I remember and I like it.
And here is the website info from the brewer, “The Sculpin is a testament to our humble beginnings as Home Brew Mart. It showcases bright flavors and aromas of apricot, peach, mango & lemon. The lighter body also brings out the crispness of the hops.”
7 Times as Hoppy
Port Brewing’s Anniversary Ale has reached the 7 year mark. And I bet that each year it gets hoppier! This year the recipe is brewed with Columbus, Amarillo and Simcoe and then to add more kick, dry-hopped with Columbus, Amarillo and Citra hops.
According to folks at Port, “Anniversary Ale has pleasant tones of citrus and pine, a screaming hops presence and just enough malt character to add a hint of sweetness. Port Brewing’s Anniversary Ale comes in at 10% ABV”
Anniversary 7 will be available at the brewery and through distribution in draft and 22oz bottles.