Follow Sean Inman to the best in craft beer
El Segundo Brewing had their Power Plant weekend recently but tucked in amongst those real, real big IPAs were two other beers you might want to add to your beer shopping list.
First up is Spark Plug, described as “just a little 4-percenter”. A Light IPA hopped with Amarillo, Simcoe and Centennial.
Second is the first (surprisingly) Slice & Pint beer, Perfect Companion IPA. It is “an IPA made to be enjoyed while eating pizza.” Hopped with Simcoe, Citra Dynaboost and Amarillo.
There is no slowing the collaboration train. Whatever happens this year will not move that needle. Speaking of, there is a LA – SAC out now from Arrow Lodge Brewing and Moksa Brewing, Tectonic Shift West Coast IPA hopped up with the quartet of Mosaic, Nelson, Nectaron & Motueka.
“a dank & crispy West Coast IPA – the type of pint we’d reach for after a long shift. It so happened that California got a bit of an earthquake and tsunami scare right in the middle of brew day, so we added that little bit of inspiration to the name! With its big dank and citrus zest aromas, super light and clean body, and a lingering resinous finish, we’re all shook up over this one.”
Altamont Beer Work’s Maui Waui and Pizza Port’s Swami’s IPAs merge into Surfin’ Tiki a new IPA that is on shelves now. You may need to see if you can get the other beers to compare them.
Now I can imagine Archer taking a Spy Nap but Brouwerij West won’t be caught sleeping on hops. They have a new Hazy Double IPA packed to the brim with Galaxy, El Dorado, and Motueka hops. Leading to what the brewery says are “aromas & flavors of peach, citrus zest, and candied tropical fruit.”
Oakshire has a great name for their 3rd fearful release with The Fear That Never Was. Plus it sounds luxuriant, “Barreled down in Heaven Hill Bourbon barrels for 23 months, each cask was transferred to a secondary cask for an additional 7 months. Each of the five casks from our favorite Kentucky distillers lent its own symphony to the blended double-barrel result. Robust maple, bourbon-soaked toffee, rich caramel, and tannic-laden oak make this Fear the most complex and intriguing yet. It is unknown even to us, how deep the darkness can go.”
Strata, El Dorado and Citra hops are the trio powering this new IPA from AleSmith who is fresh off of celebrating an anniversary.
Usually when I see astronomy or space themes on a beer label, I think Ecliptic Brewing but Brooklyn Brewery has gone hop pun with a new IPA (in 16oz cans naturally)…
…I have been highlighting beers with Strata hops because I have had a higher percentage of really good IPA’s with that hop as the focus. Hopefully this beer goes across the whole distribution footprint.
This month, the featured review spotlight is on Figueroa Mountain and we start with their newest IPA, Point Conception.
Point Conception pours a bright orange clear color. Jammy and spicy hop nose. First sip brings the West-Coast bitterness that is quite different from many IPA’s today. Pepper note constricts the mouth a bit. Grapefruit notes come in lightly. This is quite a wet beer despite the spice profile.