Taproom Talk

For 27 years the brewers of Sierra Nevada have produced some amazingly good beers. Topping the list is their monumental Celebration Ale, which ages like a fine wine (for a 10th of the price); what’s more, their aptly dubbed Anniversary Ale joins this grand list of epic beers with its pleasantly hoppy signature IPA bite complemented by a fine citrus and slight piney taste. Its hop nose with subtle malts and few bubbles producing a fine lacing invites the beer drinker to taste what is arguably the handiwork of poets. This beer has a wonderful hoppy backdrop that actually comes alive over time; indeed, drinking this beer at slightly colder than room temperature yields a wonderful drinking experience that leaves you searching for another bottle (after another) to imbibe.

The Anniversary Ale is a grand achievement for a fabulous assortment of beers produced by a team of brewers capable of epic feats. Brew on! I will drink and be merry!

With its big white head that lasts an eternity and a wonderful hoppy smell, Mendocino White Hawk IPA is sure to please the most highbrowed of beer snobs. The White Hawk has an elegant hop taste with subtle spiciness, which is highly complemented by a malty backdrop and a smooth refreshing finish. Its gold hue and light bubbly body give off an inviting essence that leaves you feeling lonely once you’ve finished this fine beverage.

As far as IPAs go, Mendocino has done it once again with a strong showing of yet another beer– you’ll find yourself wanting to take the White Hawk home every time!

Here are pictures.  Check back for a podcast from the event.

I can think of only one beer that tastes good out of a can and that’s Mother’s Milk. Add this to the fact that most Canadian beers I’ve tasted, outside of the province of Quebec, are an underwhelming experience and it’s obvious that I should have resisted the urge to taste Alexander Keith’s IPA. Maybe it was because the barkeep poured the beer into a wine glass that I resisted my snobbishness and reluctantly accepted the free drink.

I generally like IPAs due to their hoppy, crisp taste; however, as I took my first sip of this Canadian drink, I was sure the can was misprinted as all I could pick up was a watery malt taste. I couldn’t pick up any hops. I took another sip to verify, and sure enough, this beer was horrid. I decided to put an end to the unpleasant experience right then and there. Does an IPA imply something different in Canada?

If the beer has been labeled a lager, I may have just described it as a watery lager and left it at that. But, because of the IPA sobriquet, I’m left utterly disappointed and once again reaffirmed in my belief that only one beer can be purchased in can and that on the large part, Canadian beer must be brewed incorrectly. If you are Canadian, give a Wild Goose IPA a try and you’ll see my point.

I was eager to taste the Wild Goose IPA, which is brewed by the Frederick Brewing Company in Frederick Maryland, as I thoroughly enjoyed their SnowGoose seasonal awhile back. Much like the SnowGoose, I was once again, astonished.

This light gold beer poured with a slight white head that quickly disappeared to reveal a pleasantly hoppy essence with few bubbles. The taste was incredibly crisp and refreshing with smooth hints of hops and citrus. The finish was highly complementary with a smoothness that reminds me of the nectars produced by the Anchor Brewing Company. This is a highly impressive showing- the IPA is worthy of a tasting any day.

Flat flavor and an even hoppiness are the attributes of Big Daddy IPA from Speakeasy in San Francisco, CA. It’s easy to drink and has a clean, dry taste. The aftertaste was pleasant and combined with a lingering sensation of ginger in my throat. Overall, the stimulation is in my cheeks and throat - my lips and the tip of my tongue feel left out. I’ll keep my hopes high for the Untouchable Pale Ale and Prohibition Ale, which I’ll try next. Although I would never think it was brewed in a bathtub, there would have to be a prohibition for me to drink another Big Daddy. No matter what the Mob threatens, I’ll speak my mind. This Speakeasy offering can stay underground.

I don’t know what it is about Mendocino, CA but beer is taken extremely seriously there. Tonight, I’m enjoying Anderson Valley Brewing Company Hop Ottin’ IPA. This vulgarly hopped ( and I love it ) India Pale Ale carries 7% alcohol and powerful flavor. It’s the closest thing I can think of to striking gold in the California hills. All of the Anderson Valley beers are spectacular, but Hop Ottin’ IPA has a special place in my heart for its obnoxious tone and unrelenting hops.

But, if you combine the two (like a Griffin) does the creature still bite? If you drink Flying Dog’s Dog Snake IPA, the answer is “of course!”

This amber colored brew has a light white head with a hoppy bite that amazingly comes off tasting super smooth. I usually don’t enjoy IPAs too much, but Dog Snake is certainly an exception with its spicy undertones which leave an excellent aftertaste. The hoppiness comes off in its pleasant aroma too.

There are only a few IPAs that I like drinking and the Flying Dog Brewery makes one of them. Enjoy!