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A big beer is coming our way soon from Ogopogo Brewing, “A little late for the season, but we decided to make a Triple IPA. Prolly around April 14th we will be releasing ‘Yacumama’ Hazy IIIPA 10.5% with Citra, Azacca, Amarillo, Chinook, Pineapple, and Coconut.”
Appropriate in a month featuring nitro famous breweries to highlight a nitro beer release. This time a golden coffee milk stout from the brewers/cider makers and vintners at Ogopogo Brewing. Remember to pour hard.
I am a side cider connoisseur and when I saw Ogopogo was launching a line, I knew I would be trying them. And I decided to start with this highest price entry in their range. Heaven Hill Bourbon Barrel aged. And though, I generally prefer “clean”, plain cider. This is a really well balanced drink. It is more barrel than bourbon to me, the cider shines through and it still has enough bubbles in it to make it a bit crisp as well.
If you haven’t had cider that has been aged in a spirit barrel, well, you are missing out on a unique flavor pairing. You can see what apples and Heaven Hill bourbon barrels can do together with this new release from Ogopogo Brewing.
I rounded up three of the local versions of the Weathered Souls Black is Beautiful beers to review in one big post. Smog City, Los Angeles Ale Works and Ogopogo.
Smog City
Pours s dark brown/ black mix. Big espresso head of foam. Burnt notes big here. Lowest abv of the trio. Chicory. Coffee. A bit watery but only just barely so. Direct and simple.
Los Angeles Ale Works
Pours a dark black. Coconut strong to start. Lovely aroma. Sorta like a salted caramel. Sweet and salt. Tilted a bit much to the salt side though in the end. Does not taste 10%.
Ogopogo
Cinnamon is the dominant flavor here. Alcohol more prevalent here too. Very smooth mouthfeel. Sorta like a fall coffee drink. Minor roast notes. Minor sweetness.
I skipped over one Ogopogo beer because I was not a fan of the label but I am back with a cool Halloween but in mauve themed hazy DIPA. And it may drive you insane. Or so this Kikokiko myth goes.
Since we are in to-go mode now, I will ramp up highlighting cans that you should pick-up, like this collaboration from Ogopogo and North Park Beer. Sounds like a good one too, mango will soothe the panicked nerves as will the lactose.
Some collaborations are easy. Neighbors from the same city type of thing. Others involve a double-digit amount of people in the brewhouse. Looks like Ogopogo had the latter. What is even crazier is that there are (4) breweries that I had never even heard of before involved as well as midwest folks too. Watch for it later this month.
There are still days left in the year (nigh decade) but 2020 looms and Ogopogo has an ominous beer for us, ‘Nián Shòu.
Gotta add that Ogopogo is killing the label art game right now. This is one of the coolest designs with all the beer info and backstory easily accessible.
Ogopogo is not resting on their anniversary laurels, they have dug into more mythology to come up with, ‘Häkuturi’ is a Double Dry Hopped Hazy Double IPA using only New Zealand hops: Southern Cross, Waimea, and Wakatu. Get yourself a can to learn about the the trees.