Ommegang Rare Vos

20140828:
This Ommegang Rare Vos has a floral smell.

The taste is alright. It's a bit bitter and not at all sugary like Three Philosophers. I'm not sure whether or not I like it. 11:52PM PT

Ommegang Rare Vos - Bottle

Towards the end, the beer has a sweeter, more refreshing taste. Josh seemed to like it more than I did though. 20140829 1:56AM PT

[20141029]

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20140829:
This morning I had the last of the Rare Vos. It was a bit sweeter and tastier than I remember it being yesterday. Thumbs up. 2:40PM PT

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Ommegang Rare Vos

Ommegang Rare Vos - Bottle and Beer

Relevant Links:
Rare Vos (Amber Ale) (BeerAdvocate.com)
Rare Vos (Ommegang Website)

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Website Information:

RARE VOS
AMBER ALE

Ale Brewed with Sweet Orange Peel, Grains of Paradise, Coriander

BELGIAN-STYLE CAFE ALE.
MELLOW, FRUITY, SPICY.

EVERYDAY WE RACE TOWARDS SOMETHING.
THIS SHOULD BE ONE OF THEM.

RARE VOS WAS MADE TO REWARD YOUR VICTORIES.

Dropdown #1:
AT THE END OF THE DAY,
YOU SHOULD ALWAYS ENJOY THE END OF THE DAY.

A clever fox knows when to stop. And when our brewers come to the end of a long brew day, you'll find that their reward of choice is most often a Rare Vos, also known as the Sly Fox.

Named after a Brussels pub famous for bicyling contests and pigeon races, Rare Vos is our most quaffable brew. It's well balanced on every front with slightly spicy notes from grains of paradise and orange peel. The deep amber color, like a sunset, reminds you that the workday is over.

Step up to the bar, or the table at home, or whever the day's race ends, and tip one back to the fox within.

Everything for a reason.

Dropdown #2:
Easy to pour into, easy to drink out of, a tall glass will also show off the amber color.

Dropdown #3:
The balanced flavor, lively spice qualities, and ease of drinkability make Rare Vos great on its own or with pub fare like mussels and fries.

Angry Orchard Iceman

~I'm not a beer. I'm a cider.~

20140828:
This Angry Orchard Iceman has a nice sweet taste to it and I find it sweeter than Angry Orchard Crisp Apple. Overall, I like it more. 7:45PM PT

(20141225)

Josh really liked this cider: "It's delicious and refreshing." 11:52PM PT

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20141225:
Having drank some of and enjoyed the bottle of Iceman I got last summer, Josh decided to buy a bottle during our trip to BevMo.

(20140828)

The Angry Orchard Iceman had a stronger smell than other ciders I've had. It actually had a strong taste as well, though not overwhelming.

Overall, Iceman had a great taste.

Remark: it went well with my carne asada burrito from Alertos. I suppose it makes sense that ciders pair well with beef and pico de gallo. 8:49PM PT

(20140828)

[20150107[20150109 Edit]

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I'm not sure which Angry Orchard Cider House Collection I like better, Iceman or The Muse. I believe Iceman tastes stronger* and The Muse tastes sweeter.

*In fact, Iceman is 10% ABV and The Muse is only 7.7% ABV.

[20150109]

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Angry Orchard Iceman

Relevant Links:
Iceman (Angry Orchard Website)
Angry Orchard Iceman (RateBeer.com)

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Website Information:

ANGRY ORCHARD CIDER HOUSE COLLECTION
THE LEGEND OF ICEMAN
Inspired by the tradition of Ice Ciders in Quebec, Iceman uses the process of freezing the juice from culinary and bittersweet apples to produce a rich, complex and unique cider with a crisp apple taste and notes of caramel and toffee. This cider is sweet but not cloying. The addition of oak-aging yields a smooth and pleasing vanilla character. The result is a perfectly balanced, full-flavored cider that delights the palate with clean apple notes and a lingering toffee finish. 10% ABV

Mad River Jamaica Red Ale

20140826:
Looking through the list of beers available at Stacked, I found something which I had yet to try (Jamaica Red).

Mad River Jamaica Red Ale

This Jamaica Red has a nice smell. I can also smell a little bit of the alcohol. It has a stout taste. Overall, the beer is quite drinkable. There's an ever so slight bitter aftertaste. 7:20PM PT

The beer is only four dollars, because it's Happy Hour. 7:52PM PT

The last sip of the beer had a sugary taste to it. 8:16PM PT

Mad River Jamaica Red Ale

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Mad River Jamaica Red Ale

Relevant Links:
Our Jamaica Beers (Mad River Website)
Jamaica Red Ale (BeerAdvocate.com)
Mad River Jamaica Red Ale (RateBeer.com)

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Website Information:

Jamaica Red Ale

Mad River Jamaica Red Ale

Our legendary red ale. This mahogany hued ale brings an intense spectrum of spicy aromatic hop character balanced by a full-bodied caramel richness. 2011 Silver Medal winner at the Great American Beer Festival in the American Style Amber/Red Ale category.

Malts: 2-row pale malt, Crystal 70/80, Wheat and a small amount of Black Patent malt
Bittering hops: Colombus
Flavor Hops: Chinook, Cascade and Willamette
Finishing Hops: Amarillo, Cascade and Willamette

O.G. 1.065
F.G. 1.015
ABV 6.5%
IBU 45.3

Leinenkugel's Hoppin' Helles

20140823:
Yesterday I had a Leinenkugel's Canoe Paddler. Today I try the Hoppin' Helles.

Leinenkugel's Hoppin' Helles - Bottle

I wrote: "The Hoppin' Helles has a nice, light, hoppy flavor. It reminds me of Magic Hat Blind Faith." 5:40PM PT

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Leinenkugel's Hoppin' Helles

Leinenkugel's Hoppin' Helles - Beer

Relevant Links:
Hoppin' Helles (BeerAdvocate.com)
Leinenkugels Hoppin' Helles (RateBeer.com)

Leinenkugel's Canoe Paddler

20140822:
Leinenkugel's Canoe Paddler tastes a lot like Natty Boh except possibly cleaner/crispier. 5:50PM PT

[20141004]

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20160522:
This beer was decent. It didn't have a wheat taste. It had a slightly bright taste with a light hint of some other flavor, possibly the rye. Overall, it wouldn't fall under consideration as a favorite, but it's not bad.

[20160708 Edit]

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Leinenkugel's Canoe Paddler

Relevant Links:
Canoe Paddler (Leinenkugel's Website)
Leinenkugel's Canoe Paddler (BeerAdvocate.com)
Leinenkugels canoe Paddler (RateBeer.com)

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Website Information:
Canoe Paddler

In 1906, the Kölsch-style beer originated from the Cologne region of Germany as a crisp and light beer to combat the summer heat. All Kölsch-style beers are easy-drinking and crisp, but Leinenkugel's® Canoe Paddler® adds a touch of rye for a slightly spicy flavor and a clean, dry finish. It's our take on a German classic that's perfect for winding down and relaxing.

Awards
In 2013, Canoe Paddler won a Gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival® in the German-Style Kölsch Category

Ingredients (Specified by Brewmasters)
Hops: Sterling, Czech Saaz and Styrian Gold
Other: Rye

Food Pairings
The smooth, dry finish from the rye pairs well with porcini mushroom ravioli with white wine sauce, delicate whitefish with capers and arugula salads.

– GREAT WITH –
BLACK PEPPER BELLAVITANO®

Beer Stats
ABV 5%
IBU 11

Availability
January-July

Dogfish Head Festina Peche

20140620:
Earlier today I tried the 2014 Firefly Ale, but after walking around for an hour, I headed back to the Dogfish Head tent to try a cup of Festina Peche. My first impression was that it comes with a bright taste. Apparently its a 'tart and refreshing wheat beer.' Yes, I would have to agree! Overall, I find the beer has an excellent taste. 1:30PM ET

Dogfish Head Festina Peche @ Firefly

[20140928]

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20140813:
After the Jack & Ginger, Josh got a Dogfish Head Festina Peche (shorty). It had a soapy and slight peach smell. It is light, like a cider. In fact, it tasted a little like a cider, and it even had the bite of a cider. Overall, it had a small taste of peach. 11:33PM PT

Dogfish Head Festina Peche

The last swig of the Festina Peche tasted tart and sour - in a good way. 11:39PM PT

[20140928][20200110 Edit]

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Dogfish Head Festina Peche

Relevant Links:
Festina Peche (Dogfish Head Website)
Festina Peche (BeerAdvocate.com)
Dogfish Head Festina Peche (RateBeer.com)

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Website Information:

Festina Peche

ABV: 4.5
IBU: 8
Availability: Seasonal
Original Release Date: 06/2007

A refreshing neo-Berliner Weisse, Festina Peche is available in 4-packs and on draft during the sweaty months.

Sadly, there are only a few breweries left in Berlin still brewing the Berliner Weisse style, which is characterized by its intense tartness (some say sour). There were once over 70 breweries in Berlin alone making this beer!

In addition to fermentation with an ale yeast, Berliner Weisse is traditionally fermented with lactic cultures to produce its acidic (or green apple-like) character. Served as an apertif or summertime quencher, Festina is delicately hopped and has a pale straw color. To soften the intense sourness, Berliner Weisse is traditionally served with a dash of essence of woodruff or raspberry syrup.

In Festina Peche, since the natural peach sugars are eaten by the yeast, the fruit complexity is woven into both the aroma and the taste of the beer so there is no need to doctor it with woodruff or raspberry syrup. Just open and enjoy!

We currently send Festina Peche (in season) to our wholesale partners in the following states:
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, NC, NH, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA, WI

Tasting Notes:
peach, dry

Food Pairing Recommendations:
Grilled chicken or fish, salad, chevre

Glassware Recommendation:
Pint

Wine Comparable:
Pinot grigio

Ace Pineapple Cider

~I'm not a beer. I'm a cider.~

20140813:
Ace Pineapple Cider @ Yard House.

This certainly smells like pineapple. In particular, it smells like the sort of pineapple you'd find in a mixed drink. Oh, I totally forgot it was a cider. Yeah, it smells and tastes like it should. The apple cider is dominant, but hints of pineapple are there. I really like it, and any fan of cider would probably like it as well. Josh thinks it smells amazing. Furthermore, he says its dangerous, because it tastes like pineapple juice (that is, an easy way to get drunk without knowing). 11:33PM PT

[20140928]

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Ace Pineapple Cider

Relevant Links:
Ace Pineapple Cider (Ace Cider Website)
Ace Pineapple Cider (RateBeer.com)

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Website Information:

Ace Pineapple Cider

Our Ace Pineapple is another first [thirst] for the California Cider Company. We believe it to be the original pineapple cider made anywhere in the world! We add pineapple juices to our fermented apple base to produce a 5% ABV cider that has a great pineapple nose and a semi-sweet initial taste with a tart finish. It is extremely refreshing and very quaffable for cider, beer, or wine drinkers. It is delicious when consumed ice cold. We got the idea for the cider on one of our many visits to the beautiful and inspiring Hawaiian Islands. It’s the ideal tropical drink especially in hot and humid climates.

It is available on draft, in 6 packs and 22 ounce bottles in over 40 states. It can be mixed with coconut rum, ice, and fresh pineapple pieces to make a Hawaii 5-0! Of course, like all our Ace ciders it pairs well with any spicy ethnic dishes, pork, BBQ, bacon, fish and the like. Enjoy!

Deschutes Chainbreaker White IPA

20140813:
Today at Yard House, I start off by ordering a Deschutes Chainbreaker, which was $3.50 instead of the usual $4.25 for a shorty (9 oz).

The beer has a nice citrus, wheat, lemon smell. The taste is light and easy. I would describe it as lemony. 10:31PM PT

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Deschutes Chainbreaker White IPA

Relevant Links:
Chainbreaker White IPA (Deschutes Website)
Chainbreaker White IPA (BeerAdvocate.com)
Deschute's Chainbreaker White IPA (RateBeer.com)

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Website Information:

Chainbreaker White IPA

IPA, Wheat

Alc. 5.6%
IBUs 55
180 Calories
12 oz serving

Deschutes is taking you into the next beer frontier. Brewed with wheat and pilsner malt; this IPA displays beautiful citrus aromas from Cascade and Citra hops that meld with the esters of Belgian yeast. Think thirst quenching hopped-up wit beer with enough IBUs to warrant the IPA name.

Malt: Pilsner, Wheat, Unmalted Wheat
Hops: Bravo, Citra, Centennial, Cascade
Other: Sweet Orange, Coriander

The Critics Speak
Silver Medal, American-Belgo-Style Ale
2012 Great American Beer Festival

Pairings
Crispy Fish Tacos with Avocado and Tropical-Fruit Salsa
Grilled Spicy Sausage and Egg Breakfast Sandwich
Almond Orange Crusted Chicken with Fennel Arugula Salad

Jack and Ginger

20140813:
Today, Josh and I went to Yard House. While it is usual for us to just get beer, Josh couldn't help but try the Jack & Ginger, one of the available beer cocktails.

Having a sip of it, I found it tasty. I could definitely smell and taste the ginger. In any case, Josh loved it. While I enjoy all things ginger, I thought this cocktail was just alright. 10:31PM PT

[20140924]

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Website Information:

JACK & GINGER
jack daniels honey, orange bitters, ginger citrus agave, bavarian weiss, garnished with candied ginger

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Various sources list the following as the recipe:

Jack & Ginger
½ oz Agave Syrup
¾ oz Jack Daniels Honey
Dash of Aromatic Bitters
Squeeze of a Lemon & a Lime
3 oz of Ginger Beer
5 oz of Bavarian Weiss Beer
Place two ice cubes in a goblet or highball glass. Pour ingredients in order listed over the ice.

La Chimay Bleue

20140108:
I recalled having tried a Chimay beer at least once before 20140811. In particular, I recalled trying a Chimay in the Fall of 2011 (either upon moving into my new apartment or during a Halloween party).

(20140811)

Using this hunch, I found a specific date (20111029) for an unspecified Chimay on a private blog I used to keep. Linking this date to my photo records, I learned that the Chimay I tried was not a Chimay Blue, but a Chimay Red.

Several months later (20150124), I found photo records which reveal that I did in fact have a Chimay Blue prior to 20140811. Unfortunately the notes for this tasting (and various other entries during January 2014) are, as far as I know, non-existent.

(20140811)

[20150124]

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20140811:
Chimay Blue. This beer has a nice smell. It also has a pretty strong taste and a bit of a bite to it. There's some bitterness, present both while sipping and in the aftertaste. 8:49PM PT

Josh thinks about how the Chimay compares to the Unibroue La Terrible. I like this one more. Its more drinkable, even though it tastes a bit stronger. 9:47PM PT

(20140108)

[20140923]

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La Chimay Bleue
(The Chimay Blue Cap)

Relevant Links:
La Chimay Bleue (Chimay Website) (English)
Chimay Grande Réserve (Blue) (BeerAdvocate.com)
Chimay Bleue (Blue) / Grande Réserve (RateBeer.com)

(20140811)

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Website Information:

The Chimay Blue Cap

The Chimay Blue Cap, baptized "Grande Reserve" in 750 ml bottles, is a dark Trappist beer with a powerful aroma, the complex flavour of which improves across the years. It was first brewed as a Christmas beer, explaining the presence of a "vintage".

This authentic Belgian beer, whose tinge of fresh yeast is associated with a light rosy flowery touch, is particularly pleasant. Its aroma, perceived as one enjoys it, only accents the delightful sensations revealed by the odour, all revealing a light but agreeable caramelized note.

It is served ideally at cellar temperature (10 to 12°C).

Features
Taste : Relatively dry with caramel note
Type of foa : Thick, creamy brown
Alcohol content : 9% alcohol by volume
Shelf life : may be kept several years

Bootlegger's Rustic Rye IPA

20120718:
Josh and I are here at the Orange County Fair. Among the various beers, we decide to try the Bootlegger's Rustic Rye IPA ($12).

Bootlegger's Rustic Rye IPA - Bottle

While the beer has an IPA smell, it doesn't have a strong IPA taste. However, this is good, because Josh doesn't like IPAs. I find the beer is quite carbonated, but in a good way. 9:56PM PT

It has a good taste to it. It's not overwhelming or overly hoppy like some IPAs. 10:03PM PT

[20140918]

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Bootlegger's Rustic Rye IPA - Plastic Cup @ OC Fair

20140810:
The Rustic Rye IPA has a nice IPA smell. The smell is full and not overwhelming. The beer has a nice taste to match its smell. Josh loves it, which is saying something considering he generally doesn't like IPAs. I like it as well, and it reminds me of Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA. 11:32PM PT

While Josh and I tried the Rustic Rye IPA two years ago, I never got the chance to blog about it until now (over two years). In any case, its interesting to note that I used the word "overwhelming" in both instances.

Bootlegger's Rustic Rye IPA - Bottle and Beer

[20140918]

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Bootlegger's Rustic Rye IPA

Relevant Links:
Bootlegger's Beer Page (Bootlegger's Brewery Website)
Rustic Rye IPA (BeerAdvocate.com)
Bootleggers Rustic Rye IPA (RateBeer.com)

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Website Information:

RUSTIC RYE IPA

6.2% ABV, 90.9 IBU

Our Rustic Rye IPA balances the malted barley and spicy rye grains with a floral and earthy hop flavor and aroma. The maltiness of this beer is balanced with its finish of a crisp, clean hop bite. The combination makes for a truly memorable and refreshing beer.

Style: American IPA

Available in bottles: 22 oz.

Available in kegs: 5.16 gal, 15.5 gal

First release: January 2009

Unibroue La Terrible

20140809:
The Terrible is black and had no discernable smell. The taste was simple and not strong. On a second whiff, I smell a bit of alcohol. Upon letting the beer sit in my mouth, I taste a bit of the alcoholic burn. 10:11PM PT

[20140917]

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Unibroue La Terrible

Relevant Links:
Terrible (Unibroue Website)
Unibroue La Terrible (RateBeer.com)
La Terrible (BeerAdvocate.com)

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Website Information:

Terrible

Origin: Chambly, Quebec
Brewed since 2002
ABV: 10.5%
Fermentation: High
Style: Quadrupel/Abt
Color: Black, nearly opaque dark chestnut color
SRM: 45
Clarity: Low
Head: Persistent and thick
Bubbles: Thin
Effervescence: Medium
Nose: Rich notes of fruits and spices
Flavor: Subtle fruit flavors are complemented by rich Madeira wine notes.
IBU: 15
Suggested serving temperature: 10 - 12°C / 50 - 54°F
Suggested glass: Chalice
Comment(s): For a limited time only, Terrible is available in Canada. Year Round in the U.S.

Crabbie's Spiced Orange

20140804:
I wrote: "Crabbie's Spiced Orange. This beer is good. Too bad I don't have an orange to add. In any case, it tastes sweeter than Crabbie's Original." 9:26PM PT

[20140912]

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Crabbie's Spiced Orange

Relevant Links:
Crabbie's Spiced Orange (Crabbie's Website)

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Website Information:
Surprisingly Tangy
SPICED ORANGE

SPICED ORANGE offers the same REFRESHING taste as the ORIGINAL but with a lighter GINGER profile and a ZESTY orange falvor

Parallel 49 Salty Scot

20140804:
I wrote: "Salty Scot. This beer has a malty smell. It also has a strong alcohol smell. Josh finds it has a dark alcohol smell and smells roasted. Josh tastes the caramel, but I don't. I still think it tastes malty and sweet though. Not at all strong"

I also wrote: "After a couple sips, Josh and I tried to take a guess at the beer's alcoholic content. Josh guessed 9% ABV and I guessed 8% ABV; the beer's ABV is 7.5%. Ultimately, the beer is sweet and I do taste the caramel a bit, but I still don't taste the salt at all." 9:00PM PT

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Parallel 49 Salty Scot

Relevant Links:
Salty Scot (BeerAdvocate.com)
Parallel 49 Salty Scot (RateBeer.com)

The Lost Abbey Witch's Wit

20140802:
The Witch's Wit has a banana-like smell. The taste is a bit more flowery. I'm not really into this flavor, but otherwise the beer was solid. 9:16PM PT

[20140911]

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The Lost Abbey Witch's Wit

Relevant Links:
Witch's Wit (The Lost Abbey Website)
Witch's Wit (BeerAdvocate.com)
Lost Abbey Witch's Wit (RateBeer.com)

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Website Information:
WITCH'S WIT

Convicted of a dark art, the crowd will gather to watch as they raze your earthen existence. An intolerable pain is the cross you’ll bear that day as you are removed from this righteous world. No one will summon the courage to save you in fear of their life. It sucks. But such is the life of a witch. In honor of your fleeting existence, we brewed Witch’s Wit. A light and refreshing wheat beer, it’s exactly the sort of thing you might expect to find being passed around the center of town on witch burning day. Say hello to the Prince of Darkness for us.

ABV:
4.8%

TASTING NOTES:
AROMA There are tons of esters present in the beer as well as a soft yeast note. This beer has also been spiced with Grapefruit Zest, Orange Peel and Coriander. Each of these is subtly stated so as to not overwhelm the nose of the beer.

TASTE Most definitely, this first and foremost a wheat ale. You can taste the wheat from start to finish. A faint toasted note from the addition of flaked oats is present in the beer as well. This is a light bodied beer that finishes with a spicy layer in the end. The overall impression should be an easy-to-drink refreshing ale.

STYLE REFERENCE:
Belgian Witbier

PAIR WITH:
White fish, Salads, Numerous cheeses

Hangar 24 Double IPA

20140802:
I wrote: "Hangar 24 Double IPA. Straight up IPA smell. Deeper pine/grass smell. A slightly bitter taste which settles down into tasting like grapefruit, at least in terms of bitterness (not citrus)." 2:37PM PT

[20140911]

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Hangar 24 Double IPA

Relevant Links:
Hangar 24 Double IPA (Hangar 24 Website)
Double IPA (BeerAdvocate.com)
Hangar 24 Double IPA (RateBeer.com)

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Website Information:

Hangar 24 Double IPA

Assertive and drinkable. Double IPA is California’s gift to beer lovers. Ours is brewed with four distinctly American hops: Centennial, Citra, Columbus and Simcoe, all beautifully balanced by five malts and generous additions of local orange blossom honey. An intense sensory experience — the fresh aroma of citrus, pine and grapefruit with the bold taste of hops and sweet honey.

Additional Information:

This beer was first brewed to celebrate American Craft Beer Week in 2010. The Double IPA style is distinctly American, and so are the flavors of the specific hops used. This beer was an instant hit (Southern Californians do love their hops!) and we plan on brewing it throughout the year whenever our production schedule allows it.

Alcohol Content: 9.0%
IBU: 118
Glass Type: Tumbler
Serving Temperature: 50º fahrenheit
Food Pairing: Grilled lamb, smoked beef brisket, chicken fried steak. Crème brulee. Sharp blue cheeses.