IPA

Posted in Wild Leap Brew Co., New Releases

We shouldn’t have wait until the 5th release to try Wild Leap Alpha Abstraction

It took us until the fifth edition of the beer to finally find out what all the excitement is surrounding LaGrange, Georgia’s Alpha Abstraction Series. What this long means we waited too long.

Wild Leap Brewing’s reputation in the beer world is made by Alpha Abstraction aka “AA”. The double India pale ale is one of the best juicy/hazy style IPAs in Georgia right now. While each release uses a different hop bill, the response from fans is clear- they love it.

Wild Leap Alpha Extraction #5 is double dry-hopped with Nelson Sauvin hops, finishing with just a hint of bitterness. This 12-ounce can of juicy goodness is velvety smooth to the point of being creamy, lingering with tropical fruit hop flavors that linger with every sip. In our opinion, this a great example of why the hazy IPA is popular.

AA #5 is a limited release in 12-ounce cans and draft. Wild Leaps states the 6th edition is coming in mid-March.

Style: Imperial IPA
Hops: Nelson Sauvin

Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft. Limited Release.
Debut: Early February 2019

8% ABV

PIC: Beer Street Journal

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Creature Comforts, Coming Soon, Don't Miss This, Russian River Brewing

Debut Week: Creature Comforts collaborates with Russian River on new IPA

Creature Comforts has teamed up with California’s Russian River Brewing Company, benefitting the brewery’s “Get Comfortable” campaign. 

At the 2018 Firestone Walker Invitational, Creature Comfort’s Adam Beauchamp was having a beer with Russian River’s Vinnie Cilurzo. Beauchamp mentioned Creature Comfort’s ‘Get Comfortable’ Campaign, their annual community outreach program. Creature Comforts helped raise funds to help folks affected by the 2017 Sonoma fires, so Cilurzo couldn’t wait to get involved.

The two breweries collaborated on an India pale ale, brewed with Strata, Amarillo, Comet, and Pahto hops. “Get Comfortable IPA” finishes at 7.2% alcohol by volume.

This year, Creature Comforts has chosen the following nonprofits to benefit from the funds raised from sales of the collaboration: Action Ministries, Advantage Behavioral Health, The Ark, Athens Community Council on Aging, Bigger Vision, Chess & Community, College Factory, Family Connection-Communities in Schools, and Mercy Health Center. These nine non-profits will be highlighted throughout the 2019 Get Comfortable campaign season, which wraps up in November.

Creature Comforts Russian River Get Comfortable IPA is available in 16-ounce cans and draft throughout the duration of the campaign.

Style: IPA
Hops: Strata, Comet, Amarillo, Pahto

Availability: 16oz Cans, Draft. February-November 2019
Debut: February 2019

7.2% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Birdsong Brewing Co., Seasonal Return

Charlotte Haze: Birdsong Brewing Hazy Sexy Cool IPA returns

Birdsong Brewing Hazy Sexy Cool IPA re-joins the brewery’s seasonal lineup again on January 31st. 

This beer was first introduced in 2018 as a part of the Charlotte, North Carolina based brewery’s IPA Series. Back by popular demand, Birdsong is re-releasing the hazy IPA brewed with Citra, Mosaic, and El Dorado hops.

We’ve been making hazy, unfiltered beer for years, long before the haze craze and love for the New England style IPA, but why not really haze it up?

Birdsong Brewing Hazy Sexy Cool IPA is available in 16-ounce cans at the brewery on January 31st, then local shops shortly after the release.

Style: Hazy IPA
Hops: Citra, El Dorado, Mosaic
Availability: 16oz Cans, Draft. Limited Release.
Latest Return: 1/31/19

?? ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Firestone Walker Brewing, Don't Miss This, New Releases

Firestone Walker Mind Haze IPA may be the best hazy IPA we’ve had yet

In the wild west of hazy India pale ales, one of the best breweries out there is about to release one of their own after a year of experimentation. Firestone Walker Mind Haze IPA debuts this month.

Firestone’s brewmaster Matt Brynildson recognizes this hazy IPA trend got its start on America’s East Coast, but according to him, he also sees it starting with Bavarian hefeweizens. This may help explain the flavor profile in Firestone Walker Mind Haze IPA.

This can of hop-haze boasts a creamy mouthfeel and tropical-banana aroma according to the brewery. (Where the Bavarian influence comes into play.) The brewing team amplified the esters from the yeast and paired it with fruity hops.

Firestone Walker killed it. In the world of hazy IPAs, Mind Haze is immediately one of the best we have ever had. This beer hits all the high notes of a hazy IPA; it’s a tropical juicy hop explosion, that finishes soft and almost creamy. No weird vegetal or underfermented flavors that some poorly made hazys possess. Brynildson and the brewing team took their time perfecting this beer before releasing it and you can truly taste it. This is a hazy slammer of a year-round release that raises the bar for the style.

 “We’re not relying on residual yeasts or starches for turbidity. The haziness and mouthfeel of Mind Haze are cultivated by more stable means, namely using 40 percent wheat and oats in the grain bill while nailing the timing and interplay of our hop additions,” says Brynildson.

It’s this hazy IPA meets Bavaria flavor that Firestone Walker hopes really puts their own “stamp” on the style.

Firestone Walker Mind Haze IPA hits the brewery’s entire distribution footprint this week in 12-ounce cans and draft.

Style: Hazy IPA
Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft.
Debut: January 2019

6.2% ABV

Image: Beer Street Journal

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Anderson Valley Brewing Company, New Releases

“Very dry” Anderson Valley Extra Dry Brut IPA debuts

Anderson Valley Extra Dry Brut IPA joins the brewery’s lineup year-round this month.

India pale ales have dominated craft beer sales for years. Every few years, a new trend surfaces within the India pale ale category. There’s been Black IPAs, and Belgian IPAs, but lately, it’s the hazy IPA/milkshake IPA fad and the quickly rising “brut IPA”.

The style is inspired by champagne and is loosely intended to be dry and effervescent like it’s namesake beverage. Anderson Valley’s Brut IPA is first and foremost dry, brewed and fermented with almost no residual sugars. The brewery used Chinook, Amarillo, and Simcoe hops to impart clean citrus flavors with low bitterness.

Anderson Valley Extra Dry Brut IPA is hitting shelves nationally in 12-ounce cans over the next few weeks, year-round.

Style: IPA (Brut IPA)
Hops: Chinook, Simcoe, Amarillo

Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft.
Debut: Late January 2019

6.8% ABV, 28 IBUS

Image: Anderson Valley Brewing

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Boulevard Brewing, New Releases

Boulevard Space Camper Cosmic IPA joins lineup year-round

Boulevard Space Camper Cosmic IPA is the newest year-round release by the Kansas City, Missouri based brewery.

The brewery’s year-round hoppy offerings include Heavy Lifting and Single Wide IPA, but nothing as juicy as Space Camper. Expect some of the usual “dank” suspects in this IPA, like Eukanot, El Dorado, and Galaxy.

…aromas of juicy mango, peach and pineapple, plus flavors of fresh citrus, stone fruit and watermelon.

Besides the reward of a tasty IPA, Boulevard has made a web-based Space Camper video game to celebrate the launch. Beat level 8 and you can enter a contest to win beer prize packs and possibly a Nintendo Switch.

Boulevard Space Camper Cosmic IPA is available in 12-ounce can and draft, year-round starting in late January 2019.

Style: IPA
Hops: Eukanot, Galaxy, El Dorado

Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft. Year-round.
Debut: Late January 2019

5.9% ABV, 50 IBUs

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Scofflaw Brewing Co., Aslin Beer Company, Coming Soon

Scofflaw Brewing debuts collaboration with Virginia’s Aslin Beer Company

Scofflaw Brewing debuts their hoppy collaboration with Herndon, Virginia’s Aslin Beer Company on Friday, January 25th.

The brewing teams created an India pale ale (yeah, of course, it’s hazy) brewed with “obnoxious amounts” of Mosaic and Strata hops.

Juicy… with a huge aroma/flavor of pineapple, mango, stone fruit and berries with low perceived bitterness.

RELATED: BEER COLLABORATIONS

The Scofflaw/Aslin collaboration is apart of the brewery’s taproom only canned releases. Available while supplies last when the brewery opens Friday. $14 per 4-pack.

Style: IPA
Hops: Strata, Mosaic

Availability: 12oz Cans. Brewery only.
Debut: 1/25/19

7.1% ABV

by Reid Ramsay