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 →

Posted in DC Brau Brewing Co, Headlines, New Releases, Oskar Blues Brewing

Oskar Blues & DC Brau “Smells Like Freedom” Smells Like Weed

Oskar Blues Brewery and DC Brau have definitely made a statement with their newest beer, Smells Like Freedom. What does it smell like? Weed.

Smells Like Freedom is a tribute to Initiative 71 that legalized marijuana in Washington D.C. in late February. It is now legal to possess and grow pot in the district, yet it cannot be bought or sold.

The two brewery team came up with IPA that contains a mix of hops that smells like fresh cannabis.

Both Oskar Blues and DC Brau brewed Smells Like Freedom at their breweries. A majority of the release is draft, the cans are exclusive to Washington D.C.

Smells Like Freedom debuted at a special party in the nation’s capital on March 17th.

Style: IPA
Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft. 120 Barrels (nearly 4,000 gallons)

7% ABV

Image via DC Brau

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Half Acre Brewing, Headlines, New Belgium

New Belgium Oatmeal IPA, a Half Acre Collaboration

New Belgium Oatmeal IPA joins the brewery’s Hop Kitchen Series, a collaboration with Chicago’s Half Acre Beer Company.

The idea to create Oatmeal IPA started about four years ago when New Belgium’s brewmaster Peter Bouckaert visited Half Acre. This collab actually turned out to be two beers, the first dating back to 2013 with Avoine IPA.

Avione (which means “oats”) was an “oat-spiked” IPA that was only available in Chicago on draft. Those who have had it, consider that a teaser beer for what Oatmeal IPA has become.

This 2015 release is honey-hued with a velvety mouthfeel that offers brilliant pine, grass and guava courtesy of Citra and Centennial dry-hopping. Oatmeal IPA is ultra-tropical and appears softer than the traditional IPA, but be warned – lurking beneath the smooth oats and toasted malts, are vibrant hops with a bitter bite.

New Belgium Oatmeal IPA is a wider release, but draft only.

Style: IPA
Hops: Citra, Centennial
Malts: Oatmeal, ???

Availability: Draft only

6% ABV, 60 IBUs

by Reid Ramsay
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