Featured Review – Hopnosis from Firestone Walker

Earlier this month, I re-reviewed a beer from Stone Brewing, now, don’t get confused, I am reviewing a beer from Firestone Walker, Hopnosis IPA.

This is yet another light and bright beauty from FW. Hopnosis pours a darkish yellow. There is a light pine earthy aroma that really pops. The bitterness is calibrated just right. As you drink, a little fruit punch flavor creeps into adding another layer.

De-Putinize

Russian River Brewing has done up a one-off – new version of Defenestration.

It “is a “West meets East Coast-style IPA” with tons of juicy hop aroma and bitterness. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to humanitarian efforts to help Ukrainian refugees. Defenestration and Putin Huylo will be released in cans only at both pubs and Gift Shops around the 1st of April. A very small amount of each beer will be available online as well! Stay tuned for more updates. Thank you for joining us in supporting and helping the people of Ukraine!”

Guidelines

North Park Beer Company has had some label hits and some label misses according to my design specificity but I do like the humor and pop of rainbow color on this new IPA…

It’s far past time for the algorithm to catch more flak. Leave the breweries alone.

Review – Beach Run IPA from AleSmith and Pizza Port

More goodies came from AleSmith recently so it is time to take a walk on the beach, I am not one for running.

This time Pizza Port was brought in to partner on Beach Run IPA.

This DDH IPA has Enigma, Cashmere and Sabro hops an pours a bright lustrous yellow. And it does pack a bitterness punch. I get a little bit of catty, a little bit of fruit punch and a little bit of pine as well. No coconut from the Sabro which I usually get. There is a bit of alcohol heat as well which is kinda weird for a beer below 7% ABV. It is smack dab in classic pre-2010 West Coast IPA territory.

The next AleSmith collab IPA will be with Revision Brewing, Split Aces in a red checked can.

Review – Hair of the Dog – Two Dots

Hair of the Dog Brewing is slowly shutting their doors. Before they and brewer Alan Sprints fade into beer history, I wanted to try (again) two of IPA’s. These were both canned in mid November of 2021 so they were just outside the recommended IPA freshness date.

Polka Dot – very earthy. pours a hazy light orange. big, real big for a 5.5% IPA. some candied orange hiding underneath the quite harsh bitterness.

Green Dot – pineapple is the dominant flavor. this has held up better, probably due to the higher ABV but it still is pretty harsh in spots, which is more a feature than an issue. there is an alcohol burn here that other TIPAs mask.

Will the Next Haze Please Stand Up

Cascade Lakes Brewing may have put a name to a new IPA trend, Red Haze.

Here is their description, “Our Seasonal NW Red is full of sticky, dank tangerine hop character with just the right amount of malt to accompany you through to warmer days ahead.”

Is the current IPA customer needing a turn back to dank, will the malt add enough sweetness. We will see of 2022 brings more of the red haze.

Or, who knows, maybe French Pilsner is the next new thing.

Spell It

Eagle Rock Brewery is at the 12 years old mark this year, and that means time for an anniversary beer.

Here are the early details, “Umihumālua is a tiki-inspired IPA with orange, pineapple, and nutmeg. This punchy beer is sure to transport you to paradise with one sip!”

Stacked

Russian River keeps on with the hops and one of these days, I will be a Johnny on the spot and order before they are sold out. And Mosaic Stack will be first on my shopping list. The only issue is that you have to buy a case.