My first introduction to a so-called New England style IPA was at Greenport Harbor Brewing Company in Greenport, NY on the north fork of Long Island a few years ago. More then three years ago, I guess, because I only had one kid on that trip.
I then found similar beers at Half Door Brewing Company in downtown San Diego. Meanwhile, fruity/juicy/hazy IPAs flourished without being labeled. Modern Times (decent size brewery) and Pure Project (tiny, but all the rage in local colabs) have put out some of my favorites.
The flagship IPA of my local brewery, New English, started by an English guy in San Diego, has some of these elements while staying close to a classic San Diego beer. Pure and Simple, it is called, and is my go to. It helps that it is brewed and served less than 2 miles from my house.
But recently Karl Strauss and Societe, one an old school main stay and one part of the newish wave of local breweries, both came out with nice entrants in the category after staying away for a while.
I’m not a fan of actual fruit in the beer. Latitude 33’s blood orange IPA was the high point of that for me, but after one summer I was over it. But tropical and citrus notes are just fine right now!
Happy Beer-morning to all!
Reports later today from the Portland, OR area.
I'm thinking Stickmen and FlyBoy.
[redacted] them and the horses they rode in on.
Had Bell's Pooltime Ale for the first time last night. Can definitely tell it's Belgian crafted. Hint of cherries. Refreshing summer beer.
Also have two bottles of Dogfish Head's 120 Minute IPA waiting in my fridge
A dessert of New Glarus Belgian Red more than offsets a second night of Tecate with dinner.
Cheers!
Ekuanot Pale (draft)-FlyBoy Brewing
Drink local (Tigard, Oregon)!
Two ounce sample before dinner. Hey, the waitress offered and brought the wrong sample. Somebody had to drink it.
Yellow-straw pour, small head, vinous aromas and tastes along with some mild citrus flavors. Minimal bitterness. I'll guess 30 IBUs and chalk board said 6.4% ABV. I'd taste this again.
[redacted] them and the horses they rode in on.
Island Jumper (draft)-FlyBoy Brewing
Happy hour pint at a buck off and recommended by our waitress as their best seller. A solid choice.
Pour was a clear, yellow-gold with a modest, creamy head. Lots of pineapple and grapefruit scents and tastes without being a NEIPA/hazy juice. Matching flavors with a little bit of rind and hints of orange, finishing with a light brown sugary sweetness. I'll guess IBUs about 60 and ABV on the chalk board was 7%. A nice pairing with a toasted, Italian grinder and some mixed greens.
[redacted] them and the horses they rode in on.
Tail Gunner Stout Barrel Aged (draft)-FlyBoy Brewing
More local!
Two ounce sample that was supposed to be first but a small mistake made it the second taster so I made it dessert .
Dark brown color with a small head and a sweet, syrupy, boozy nose that coated the palate with dark caramel, dark chocolate, molasses and bourbon. I'll guess IBUs about 40-50 and the ABV was 9.1% but "felt" higher. I don't drink many stouts in the summer but when the waitress offered tastes of any of their brews, I couldn't pass up this one.
Overall, a good experience with Mrs. dd enjoying a good wedge salad and tastes of my mixed greens/bleu cheese/tomato/pickled onion side salad and a toasted Italian grinder.
It might be worth a walk down there tomorrow night for a snifter of Deschutes Brewing XXX Black Butte Porter on draft...
[redacted] them and the horses they rode in on.