Has anyone tried the new Sam Adams Rebel IPA? It says "West Coast Style" on the label - does that mean its a session? Also I came across the rarely spotted Lagunitas Sucks but its pretty pricey at 16$ for a 6. Is it an IPA etc?
Its not a session.. which is usually a low alcohol simple tasting beer. What makes it a northwest ipa is the abundance of hops added to the boil, then after the boil which is called dry hopping. Dry hopping is done, and done well, when using some citrus type hops like Simcoe and Amarillo (which are both patented) and until recently not as available as others. Simcoe in particular gives a nice hoppy grapefruit finish. These IPA's are very Hoppy but have lots of balance in taste. They don't "cut" the palate with their bitterness.
Hope that helps. I've been addicted to these types of beers the last three years or so. I live in Washington state where alot of our countries hops are grown. The Fresh Hop season here is big, where local craft breweries do there version of freshly hopped beers.
Examples of that style are Stone IPA, Ballast Point Sculpin, Green Flash West Coast, and Anderson Valley Hop Ottin
Rebel....while a DECENT IPA does not come as advertised; great price point, constantly available, and typically in the cooler
Sam Adams has introduced the budding American Craft Beer drinker to a myriad of beer styles; while the Sam Adams interpretation of those styles are NOT at the top of the class, it's very easy for people to TRY a Gose, Witbier, Scotch Ale, Sweet Stout, Saisons, and Marzens (and so on)
Rebel IPA is sort of like "Fisher Price: My First IPA"
It's a nice transition from Sierra Nevada Pale ale to more hopper beers....but a West Coast IPA it is not
recently and Lagunitas Sucks was the standout selections out of about 12 beers tasted. Delicious.
Have also enjoyed Kane Simplicity and Victory Golden Monkey lately.
refers purely to ABV. A session beer is meant to be lower ABV allowing you to drink more. An IPA is not meant to be a session ale.
Being that it requires less malt and they are taxed on ABV creating session IPA's is their way of selling you more water. Much like what the large breweries did to the American pilsner
My advice is to try a lot of different beers in different styles. At some point you will settle on your favorite style/brand. Even then, I recommend that you always test the waters That is what I did and do and now people know what to get me whenever I have a soiree.
is a fantastic DIPA, but I don't know about 16 bucks for 6...It generally sells for around 10 bucks at my local store. I think for $16 you can find a better deal.
It depends on what style you are looking for. If the place you go to has Port Brewing's IPAs, I'd recommend that.
Hope that helps. I've been addicted to these types of beers the last three years or so. I live in Washington state where alot of our countries hops are grown. The Fresh Hop season here is big, where local craft breweries do there version of freshly hopped beers.
Examples of that style are Stone IPA, Ballast Point Sculpin, Green Flash West Coast, and Anderson Valley Hop Ottin
Rebel....while a DECENT IPA does not come as advertised; great price point, constantly available, and typically in the cooler
Sam Adams has introduced the budding American Craft Beer drinker to a myriad of beer styles; while the Sam Adams interpretation of those styles are NOT at the top of the class, it's very easy for people to TRY a Gose, Witbier, Scotch Ale, Sweet Stout, Saisons, and Marzens (and so on)
Rebel IPA is sort of like "Fisher Price: My First IPA"
It's a nice transition from Sierra Nevada Pale ale to more hopper beers....but a West Coast IPA it is not
Not Belgian style Saisons
Session IPA is a fancy way of staying "American Pale Ale"
Have also enjoyed Kane Simplicity and Victory Golden Monkey lately.
Being that it requires less malt and they are taxed on ABV creating session IPA's is their way of selling you more water. Much like what the large breweries did to the American pilsner
Pliny, Sculpin, are excellent examples. Dogfish IPA are not West Coast, much maltier.
After the game, going to do some work on a bottle of Woodford Reserve, and light up a cigar with the brother-in-law.
love the weekend, and love this time of year.
To each their own