IPA

Burnt Hickory Didjits Joins Bottle Lineup

Burnt Hickory Didjits Blood Orange IPA is now available in bottles.

The Kennesaw, Georgia brewery has greatly expanded their bottle lineup after a recent brewhouse expansion.

Burnt Hickory Didjits joins Fighting Bishop, Ezekiel’s Wheel, Cannon Dragger, and Big Shanty in bottles in the Continue Reading →

Second Self Citrus IPA Hits Taps

Second Self Citrus IPA is the Atlanta, Georgia brewery’s newest seasonal. Citrus IPA highlights winter citrus, which is fresh and in season, particularly orange peel and lemon.

An array of citrus hops help round of the beer’s favor.

Second Self Citrus IPA Continue Reading →

Modern Times Protocosmos, a New 22oz Bottle

Modern Times Protocosmos, the third release in the brewery’s monthly 22oz bottle releases, arrives today. Modern Times touts Protocosmos as “aggressively hoppy.”

A 7% ABV IPA employing a mix of Galaxy, Ahtanum, and Centennial, Protocosmos is a fragrant, complex, aggressively hoppy Continue Reading →

Ommegang Nirvana IPA, A Brewery First

Brewery Ommegang Nirvana IPA is headed your way in April, 2015.

Ommegang Nirvana IPA marks the first time the brewery has ever released an India pale ale. This small departure from Ommegang tradition uses Bravo, Simcoe, Centennial, Topaz, and Mosaic, dry-hopped with Continue Reading →

Posted in Firestone Walker Brewing, Headlines

Firestone Walker Easy Jack Launches in Cans

Firestone Walker Easy Jack appeared for the first time in 2014. The brewery sought to create a session IPA with a flavor complexity created by a rare selection of newer hop varieties. Unfortunately, the hops ran out by mid-summer, and Easy Jack was a memory.

Firestone Walker Easy Jack has now been re-launched as a year round beer in 12oz cans.

The Hop Focus:

Mandarina Bavaria – Hallertau, Germany

“Mandarina is the defining hop of Easy Jack. It’s real orangy, zesty, like a fresh orange off the tree, which I’ve never smelled in any hop before.”

Hull Melon – Hallertau, Germany 

“I call this the rhythm guitar. It has this melony, ripe tropical fruit characteristic that complements the citrus of the Mandarina.”

Southern Hemisphere Hops

“These hops are equally elusive as our prized Mandarina and Melon.  We have begged, borrowed and traded…Yes, we literally traded 8 Wired Brewery in New Zealand an equal amount of Centennial and Amarillo hops for some fresh Nelson hops. The transaction was more complicated than any hop purchase I have ever made.”

Blend of U.S. Hops

“Mosaic provides a tropical vibe with herbal and pine notes, while Citra and Amarillo add complexity and dimension.”

Firestone Walker Easy Jack cans are now available, and shipping to the brewery’s markets around the United States.

Style: IPA
Hops: Mandaria Bavaria, Hull Melon, Southern Hemisphere, Mosaic, Citra, Amarillo
Availability: 12oz Cans. Year Round.
Can Release: March, 2015

4.5% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Angel City Brewing, Don't Miss This, New Releases

Angel City Social IPA Kicks Off New Can Lineup

Angel City Social IPA has hit shelves as the brewery’s first canned offering.

Designed to be a lower alcohol option, Angel City Social IPA is just 4.4%. Now you can day drink even longer.

“Beer, LA, friends…they’re all meant to come together,” said Jon Carpenter, brewmaster for Angel City Brewery. “We believe strongly in community and in sharing, so this is an important beer for us, and for our fans. It’s the ideal session beer to sip for hours while enjoying the company of friends – old and new. Social IPA is a refreshing way to…well, socialize.”

Angel City Social IPA is available in 12oz cans, year round.

Style: IPA
Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft.
Released: March, 2015

4.4% ABV, 55 IBUs

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Burnt Hickory Brewery, New Releases

Burnt Hickory Didjits Joins Bottle Lineup

Burnt Hickory Didjits Blood Orange IPA is now available in bottles.

The Kennesaw, Georgia brewery has greatly expanded their bottle lineup after a recent brewhouse expansion.

Burnt Hickory Didjits joins Fighting Bishop, Ezekiel’s Wheel, Cannon Dragger, and Big Shanty in bottles in the past few weeks.

Style: IPA (w/ Blood Orange)
Availability:  22 oz bombers
Release: March, 2015

7% ABV

Below, the original 2012 artwork for Didjits. Image via Sprayberry Bottle Shop

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in New Releases, Second Self Brewing Company

Second Self Citrus IPA Hits Taps

Second Self Citrus IPA is the Atlanta, Georgia brewery’s newest seasonal. Citrus IPA highlights winter citrus, which is fresh and in season, particularly orange peel and lemon.

An array of citrus hops help round of the beer’s favor.

Second Self Citrus IPA is a draft only offering this round. The brewery just expanded distribution to Athens, Georgia this week.

Style: IPA (w/ Oranges, Lemons.)
Availability: Draft Only
Release: Early March, 2015 (First release.)

?? ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Modern Times Beer, New Releases

Modern Times Protocosmos, a New 22oz Bottle

Modern Times Protocosmos, the third release in the brewery’s monthly 22oz bottle releases, arrives today. Modern Times touts Protocosmos as “aggressively hoppy.”

A 7% ABV IPA employing a mix of Galaxy, Ahtanum, and Centennial, Protocosmos is a fragrant, complex, aggressively hoppy beer. Pineapple; orange zest; and a profound, deep, almost vibrational dankness positively billow from the glass, and the light malt backbone provides the perfect support for this remarkably delicious IPA.

Modern Times Protocosmos is on sale in the brewery’s tap room starting at 12pm, $6.99 each.

Style: IPA
Hops: Galaxy, Ahtanum, Centennial

Availability: 22oz Bottles. Limited Release
Release: 2/25/15

7% ABV

Modern Times Protocosmos Image via the brewery

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Coming Soon, Don't Miss This, Ommegang

Ommegang Nirvana IPA, A Brewery First

Brewery Ommegang Nirvana IPA is headed your way in April, 2015.

Ommegang Nirvana IPA marks the first time the brewery has ever released an India pale ale. This small departure from Ommegang tradition uses Bravo, Simcoe, Centennial, Topaz, and Mosaic, dry-hopped with Centennial, Citra, Simcoe and Amarillo to create a beer full of fruity aromas and flavors.

“Over the past two years, our brew team’s explorations with hops yielded some very lovely beers, including Hop House and Fleur de Houblon, our summer seasonal,” said Phil Leinhart, Ommegang Brewmaster. “Nirvana IPA is the most adventurous hoppy beer to date for us and it really strikes at the sweet-spot of what more and more craft beer drinkers seem to be craving – a mid-level ABV beer with strong hop character that fits a variety of occasions.”

Ommegang Nirvana IPA will initially only be available in the tri-state area (NY, NJ, CT.) Interestingly, this is the first beer produced at Boulevard Brewing Co, both a part of the the Duvel family, as they are 6-pack capable. Ommegang’s Mike McManus worked on the recipe in Cooperstown before working with Boulevard on the hoppy project.

Expect Ommegang Nirvana IPA in April, 2015.

Style: IPA
Hops: Bravo, Simcoe, Centennial, Topaz, Mosaic, Centennial Citra, Amarillo
Availability: 12oz Bottles, Draft.
Distribution: NY, NJ, CT

Release: April, 2015

6.2% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Lexington Brewing and Distilling, New Releases

Lexington Brewing’s Kentucky Rye Barrel IPA Seasonal Released

Lexington Brewing (Lexington, KY) has released a new, limited seasonal Kentucky Rye Barrel IPA.

The base beer is an imperial IPA brewed with copious amounts of rye malt, the aged six weeks in Alltech’s own Town Branch Rye Whiskey barrels and Kentucky bourbon barrels. The result is a bright, citrusy IPA, that finishes with a strong barrel character.

“Distillers discovered rye decades ago and embraced it for its spicy, complex character,” said Ken Lee, master brewer for Alltech Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co. “Today, more brewers have also embraced rye thanks to the complex notes it can add. With the spice from our Town Branch Rye barrels and the unique dry hopping we did in the barrel, I think craft beer fans will love this crisp seasonal beer.”

Kentucky Rye Barrel IPA is available in 12oz bottles for a limited time.

Style: IPA (w/ Rye Malt. Barrel Aged. Whiskey. Bourbon)
Availability: 12oz Bottles
Arrival: February, 2015

10% ABV

Image via Kentucky Ales

by Reid Ramsay