Follow Sean Inman to the best in craft beer
…instead try Red Hearted. Bell’s Brewery is adding to their Hearted Collection with Red Hearted. I am a fan of the Red IPA sub-style but I think Bell’s could have found a new name as this line has been quite extended. That said, if I see it in a variety pack here in L.A., I might just have to try it.
If there was enough content, this blog could be devoted to the Red IPA, one of my favorite styles, and in time for scary season, Trademark Brewing has one for us.
I like the touch of having a cat on the label for a beer that has curiosity in the name. Head down to Long Beach or wherever you buy Trademark beers for this Halloween treat.
I an just going to let the press release do the talking for this new IPA from Smog City...
“We are SO excited and proud to be releasing the Women of Smog collaboration beer, Total Boss Red IPA, this Friday, 7/16, in 4-pack cans & draft. This beer is more than just a delicious libation. It’s a statement about how we at Smog City feel about women in the beer industry- they are Total Bosses! We think women deserve respect and a place on the brew deck and are a driving force in making the craft beer industry a better, more inclusive & creative space for all. Over half of our leadership team is female, including our owner Laurie, and we demand respect for all the amazing ladies on our team.
To make Total Boss, all of the Women of Smog worked together to form the recipe (with the support of our brewmaster) and then they hopped on the brew deck to make the beer. It’s been a fantastic and uplifting process for them to come together and create this brew out of solidarity for all the hardworking women in our industry that are overlooked & mistreated far too often.
The beer is a bright, citrusy red IPA brewed using Red X malt for a beautiful ruby hue. It comes in at 6.3% and will be canned the same day we release it, this Friday! And special thanks to @mrdavidruano for this amazing label! Swipe left to see the copy up close and the original photo of the ladies on brew day.”
I know it isn’t October but when presented with the opportunity to try my first, From the Vault series beer from SanTan Brewing, I threw holidays to the wind.
Count Hopula a doesn’t quite pour blood red though there is a tint of darkness in the brown colored beer. At first I wasn’t enjoying it and I didn’t quite know why. It’s plenty hoppy for sure. But there is a spicy rye character and some heavy malt taste that aren’t working in concert for me. Three flavors going off in different directions.
I started to think that maybe this was an old can. But try as I might, no bottled on date was to be found so I don’t know for sure. But this beer gets a negative score from me.