An IPA a Day Keeps the Doctor Away
Beer #75
Sorry, this is such a special beer to me that you get my ugly mug as part of the photo festivities.
Ok. Look. I don’t usually like Double IPAs. They’re too malty, too spicy, too burny for my taste. I like my hops just all up in my junk, and DIPAs usually don’t deliver. Oh man……this beer.
I’ve been hearing about this beer for the last year. I found out exactly how elusive it is this year. My town finally got it in around the middle of February. How much? A grand total of 5 cases…
The wait was worth it, although I’m still not sure about the price. At $20 per six-pack, you need to be willing to swallow the fact that you’re paying more than $3 per bottle of this stuff.
The good news? It’s fucking delicious. Every half a minute or so I swirl my glass just to get the massive whiff of hops and subtle hint of honey that this hefty motherfucker (10% ABV) puts out.
On first swallow, the mouthfeel is insanely creamy for a beer of this style, with the sweetness of the honey dominating. That quickly fades, leaving the sheer amount of hops to batter your tongue along with a noticeable but not unpleasant alcohol taste.
Such a great beer, but unfortunately too expensive for my taste. I call this one the Beer Holy Grail of the Midwest. The BHG of the East is of course Dogfish Head’s 120 Minute IPA. The BHG of the West is Russian River’s Pliny the Elder/Younger. This is all just my opinion of course. And I’m rambling. Because I’m drunk. Because I’m drinking a 10% beer. Alright, bye internet.
Deschutes Brewery Hop Trip Fresh Hop Pale Ale
5.4% ABV - 12 Ounce Bottle
Purchased at port @ Village Market
Smuggled aboard MV Golden Gate
6:20PM - San Francisco to Larkspur
Firestone Walker Brewing Company DBA (Double Barrel Ale)
5.1% ABV - 12 Ounce Bottle
Purchased at port @ Whole Foods SOMA
Smuggled aboard MV Golden Gate
6:20 PM Larkspur to San Francisco
Grand Teton Brewing Company Sweetgrass American Pale Ale
6.0% ABV - 12 Ounce Bottle
Purchased at port @ Whole Foods SOMA
Smuggled aboard MV Mendocino
5:55pm - San Francisco to Larkspur
Deschutes Brewery Inversion IPA
6.8% ABV - 12 Ounce Bottle
Purchased at port @ Whole Foods SOMA
Smuggled aboard MV Golden Gate
6:20PM - San Francisco to Larkspur
Bison Brewery — Reunion ‘10 - Belgian-Style Scotch Ale
Purchased at port by @JStone415 at @AlesUnlimited
Smuggled aboard MV Mendocino
5:55PM - San Francisco to Larkspur
Russian River Brewing Company Blind Pig IPA
6.10% ABV - 500 ML Bottle
Purchased at port @ Russian River Brewing Company
Smuggled aboard MV Golden Gate
6:20 PM San Francisco to Larkspur
Russian River Brewing Company Pliny the Elder
8.0% ABV - 500 ML Bottle
Purchased at port @ Whole Foods SOMA
Smuggled aboard MV Del Norte
5:55PM - San Francisco to Larkspur
