IPA

Palate detonating: Modern Times Golden Pineapple IPA

Modern Times Golden Pinepple IPA is the latest “special can” release the San Diego, California based brewery.

This 7% alcohol by volume IPA features a “palate-detonating amalgamation” of Citra, Mosaic, Moteuka, and Centennial hops.

We fermented this magnificent assortment of ingredients with Continue Reading →

Anchor Liberty IPA to debut soon

Anchor Liberty IPA, an all new IPA debuts this month.

San Francisco’s Anchor Brewing has some pretty hardcore bragging rights when it comes to India pale ale in the United States. In case someone asks you, they were one of the Continue Reading →

Vacation in a bottle. Full Sail Ipapaya IPA

Vacation in a bottle is probably the best way to describe Full Sail IPApaya IPA. It may officially be the dead of winter, but Hood River, Oregon’s Full Sail isn’t brewing that way.

Full Sail Ipapaya IPA features Equinox, (aka Eukanot) hops, and Continue Reading →

Posted in Sam Adams, Don't Miss This

Samuel Adams Rebel IPA recipe reformulated with exclusive hops

The “Rebel” that changed it call is a little different going forward. Samuel Adams Rebel IPA, which debuted in 2014, has been reformulated.

It has taken four years for the Boston brewery to tweak the changes to Samuel Adams Rebel IPA, in an undertaking called Project Lupulus. The experiment was put in place to work with new varieties of hops that aren’t yet available to the public. Hops are in extremely high demand, so finding a future winner for a recipe gives you an advantage on stock.

The hop variety that has risen from months and years of experimentation is HBC 566 and HBC682, two hops that are proprietary and exclusive to the brewery. HBC 566 boasts lemon, lime, and orange and eucalyptus flavors, while HBC 682 is used for bittering.

“This is the first time we’ve significantly changed the recipe of a flagship beer.  As hop varieties evolve, we want to use the new varieties to keep brewing the best beer possible,”- Jim Koch, Founder – Boston Beer Company

In total, seven hops make the new Samuel Adams Rebel IPA – Simcoe, Centennial, Cascade, Chinook, Mosaic, HBC 566, and HBC 682. Caramel malt was also removed from the recipe, leaving only Two Row malt.

Samuel Adams Rebel IPA (reborn) is shipping nationally on draft and 12 bottles.

Style: IPA
Hops: Simcoe, Centennial, Cascade, Chinook, Mosaic, HBC 566, and HBC 682

Availability: 12oz bottles, Draft
Debut (New Recipe): January, 2017

6.5% ABV 

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Modern Times Beer, New Releases

Palate detonating: Modern Times Golden Pineapple IPA

Modern Times Golden Pinepple IPA is the latest “special can” release the San Diego, California based brewery.

This 7% alcohol by volume IPA features a “palate-detonating amalgamation” of Citra, Mosaic, Moteuka, and Centennial hops.

We fermented this magnificent assortment of ingredients with Sacc Trois for a monumentally juicy mouth-full of guava, mango and papaya that translates from taste-buds to brain as pure joy.

Modern Times Golden Pinepple IPA is a 16 ounce can release. 4-packs can be purchased on January 16th through Brown Paper Tickets. Check the brewery’s social media for more.

Style: IPA
Hops: Citra, Mosaic, Moteuka, Centennial

Availability: 16oz cans.
Debut: January, 2017

7% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Anchor Brewing, Headlines

Anchor Liberty IPA to debut soon

Anchor Liberty IPA, an all new IPA debuts this month.

San Francisco’s Anchor Brewing has some pretty hardcore bragging rights when it comes to India pale ale in the United States. In case someone asks you, they were one of the first to brew it. Liberty Ale is as historic as it is tasty.

IPA is the the most popular style in the craft brewing segment. It constantly evolves, tastes change, and new hop varieties hit the market. Anchor, much like many other established breweries, realize this.

This new recipe features Cascade hops, plus newer varieties of El Dorado, and Nelson Sauvin. The resulting IPA is “mouthwateringly complex and robust aromas of pine and citrus in this crisp, American-style IPA.”

Liberty IPA is our re-imaging of craft-brew classic Liberty Ale, envisioned through the lens of today’s IPAs. We first brewed Liberty Ale in 1975, to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Paul Revere’s midnight ride. This revolutionary forerunner of the modern IPA introduced America to the Casade hoping nearly lost art of dry-hopping. Like its predescor, Liberty IPA is made with two-row pale malt and Cascade hops. It is the combination of Cascade with new hop varieties -in both brewhouse and cellar – that creates the mouthwateringly complex and robust aromas of pine and citrus in this crisp, American-style IPA. The label, like Liberty Ale’s, features a bald eagle, whose symbolism runs deep for all Americans including Native Americans.

Anchor Liberty IPA will be a 12 ounce bottle and draft release nationally starting in January, 2017 for a limited time.

Style: IPA
Hops: Cascade, Plus new varieties.
Availability: 12oz Bottles, Draft
Debut: January, 2017

6.3% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Full Sail Brewing, New Releases

Vacation in a bottle. Full Sail Ipapaya IPA

Vacation in a bottle is probably the best way to describe Full Sail IPApaya IPA. It may officially be the dead of winter, but Hood River, Oregon’s Full Sail isn’t brewing that way.

Full Sail Ipapaya IPA features Equinox, (aka Eukanot) hops, and fresh papaya to create an IPA that screams island drinking, not puffy coats and runny noses.

“After testing several hop varietals for this IPA we chose to showcase Equinox (aka Ekuanot) – a hop well known for imparting unique fruity notes of melon, citrus, berry, and papaya.  And since this beer was all about hops and fruit, we kept the recipe light and simple using only pale and wheat malts.” – Greg Doss, Full Sail Brewing Supervisor

Cold outside, but tropical in your glass. Full Sail IPApaya IPA is available in 12 ounce bottles and draft from January to April, 2017.

Style: IPA (w/ Papaya)
Availability: 12oz Bottles, Draft.

Debut: January, 2017

6.2% ABV, 58 IBUs

Image: Full Sail Brewing

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Great Divide, Headlines, New Releases

Great Divide Hop Disciples is the start of a new hoppy series

Great Divide Hop Disciples India Pale Ale has now started shipping nationwide.

At the start of fall last year, the brewery kicked off a new “Tank Farm” series of beers. The series serves as an ongoing departure from Great Divide norms. An experiment if you will. The inaugural release was Nadia Kali, a beautifully colored hibiscus saison.

As 2017 begins, Great Divide Hop Disciples, a new India pale ale has started shipping nationwide. Disciples will showcase one specially chosen hop variety, creating a real sensory experience for the drinker. This year’s hop is Idaho 7, one of dankest, most tropical hops out there. Expect orange zest, stone fruit, and a hint of black tea leaves.

“We receive different experimental hops to play around with on our pilot system each year, and this past year we were really blown away by the aromatics and flavor of the Idaho 7. We decided we needed to showcase them on a larger scale, and the idea of taking Hop Disciples to package was born.” – Bob Malone, Special Ops, Great Divide

The name “Hop Disciples” refers to an education program started by the brewery in 2008. The program gives home brewers and passionate fans a chance to learn more about brewing and the brewing industry.

Great Divide Hop Disciples is now available in 12 ounce cans and draft from January to April, 2017.

Style: IPA
Hops: Idaho 7

Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft. Jan-April
Debut: January, 2017

6.2% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Two Roads Brewing, New Releases

Two Roads Zero 2 Sixty Tart IPA hits 10 states this month

Two Roads Zero 2 Sixty Tart IPA kicks off the new year for Stratford, Connecticut brewery.

This India pale ale features a few varieties of hops, including Comet, Chinook. It’s tart, because the beer was carefully kettle soured with lactic acid and then fermented on the brewery’s house ale yeast strain.

“We ferment this with a mix of lactic acid producing bacteria and our house ale yeast. The degree of souring has to be carefully monitored so that the tart flavors remain in balance with the fruit and herbal characteristics of the hops. Balance is the key!” – Phil Markowski, Two Roads Master Brewer

Two Roads Zero 2 Sixty Tart IPA is available on draft, and in 12 ounce bottles and cans.

Style: American IPA/Sour Ale
Hops: Comet, Chinook

Availability: 12oz Cans, 12oz Bottles, Draft. Seasonal release.
Debut: Mid-January, 2017

6% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Don't Miss This, SweetWater Brewing

SweetWater Second Helping returns for 2017, still helping others

SweetWater Second Helping IPA is back again as we settle into 2017, available on draft only. This beer has a very special backstory… a beer that is more that just hops and malts. The below article ran earlier this year when it was first released. If you have a minute, please read below, and watch the video… 

Atlanta lost a great chef, Ryan Hidinger. This story starts with Ryan, who worked at local restaurant Muss & Turners, and his wife, Jen. The two shared aspirations of opening a restaurant of their own. The duo would hold weekend supper clubs to raise money for that dream.

A few years ago, Ryan was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic cancer and given just six months to live. Most people probably wouldn’t have blamed him for giving up. That’s not even close to what Ryan and his wife, Jen, did. The first step was getting the most aggressive treatment available. The next was to continue working towards make their restaurant, The Staplehouse, a reality.

The outpouring of support for Ryan led them (in part) to create The Giving Kitchen, a nonprofit that offers financial assistance to restaurant and hospitality workers with similar hardships.

When SweetWater Brewery learned of the cause, there was no question of their desire to help. Working with Ryan, the SweetWater brewers designed a beer based on Hidinger’s favorite style- the imperial IPA. 100% of the profits from the sale of this beer goes to The Giving Kitchen. Not only is SweetWater donating, but also United Distributors, and the many Atlanta establishments selling SweetWater Second Helping IPA.

Whether or not you had the honor of meeting Ryan Hidinger, it is impossible not to be inspired by this desire to achieve his dream, and help others along with way. The world needs more people like him.

SweetWater Second Helping IPA is available on draft only in 2017. Your purchase will help give someone a second chance. Sometimes it’s not just a beer – it’s hope.

Style: Imperial IPA (w/ Juniper Berries)
Availability: Draft Only, 2017
Latest Return: January, 2017

?? ABV

by Reid Ramsay