Alright, a few weeks ago we all celebrated International IPA Day. Or at least I hope you did... you are reading a beer blog after all so I assume you like beer. And if you like beer enough to read a beer blog, well then you probably at least have some appreciation for the IPA. I know these hoppy beers aren't for everyone, but I sure like them. So, I had originally planned to try a few IPAs and write about them for that special occasion, but a few friends got word and an IPA tasting developed and then it turned into a full-on shit-show of hoppiness.
To get the party started, Dustin came over a bit early and since we both had a Great Divide 17th Anniversary Wood Aged Double IPA on hand, that was the kick-off beer. Poured from a bomber into a pint glass, it has a clear copper color with a finger or so of white head.
It has a very typical IPA aroma, caramel malt base with a strong blended hop aroma. It's tough to tell which typical hop note comes out the most. And there wasn't much wood on the nose.
The wood aging really comes out on the taste. It has some vanilla oak flavor and a caramel base like the aroma. The wood notes blend well with the hops but also masks the bitterness some.
It's a good beer and a good one to get started, but I had a feeling there would be more to come.
It has a very typical IPA aroma, caramel malt base with a strong blended hop aroma. It's tough to tell which typical hop note comes out the most. And there wasn't much wood on the nose.
The wood aging really comes out on the taste. It has some vanilla oak flavor and a caramel base like the aroma. The wood notes blend well with the hops but also masks the bitterness some.
It's a good beer and a good one to get started, but I had a feeling there would be more to come.
My Rating: B+
After that warm-up everyone else started trickling in and the real fun began. Following the 17th Anniversary DIPA, the IPA list kept growing... Left Coast Hop Juice, Brasserie Dieu Du Ciel Corne De Diable, Squatters IPA, Mikkeller Stateside IPA, Dogfish Head 60 Minute, Red Brick Double IPA, Saint Arnold Divine Reserve 11, Bridgeport IPA, Dogfish Head Squall IPA, Bell's Two-Hearted Ale, Moylans Moylander DIPA, Moylans Hopsicle TIPA, Full Sail Hop Pursuit, Maui Big Swell, BrewDog Mashah Belgian Dark IPA, Boulevard Double-Wide, Cigar City Jai Alai, Breckenridge Lucky U, Sweetwater IPA, He'Brew Lenny's Rye IPA, Avery DuganA, Lagunitas Hop Stoopid, Bear Republic Racer 5, and an Eel River IPA to finish it off.
Yeah, quite the lineup! About half of them were new to me... I think the highlights of the tasting were the Left Coast Hop Juice, Full Sail Hop Pursuit, Boulevard Double-Wide, and of course the Bell's Two-Hearted. Everyone had their favorite though, and all of our taste buds were shot by the end of the night. Thanks to everyone who came by and brought beers, and I hope everyone out there enjoyed a fantastic IPA Day!
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