Green Flash - West Coast India Pale Ale

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

West Coast India Pale Ale

Green Flash Brewing Company

6550 Mira Mesa Boulevard

San Diego, CA USA

Est. ????

www.greenflashbrew.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 7.3 % ABV

Fluid Oz. = 12.0

Postmortem Brew Review

Hazy yellow/orange color tone.

Pleasant, powerful hop scents that are citrus like grapefruit.
Two finger off-white, rocky head.

Head leaves spiderwebs of lace. End of glass still retains a few clumps of froth.
Sticky hops taste that finishes clean without residual bitterness.

Moderate to active carbonation.

Full hops flavor, medium bodied.


Grim Reaper's Eulogy
My second Green Flash, and alas, the last of them in my fridge. I must say that for hanging around 5 months in my mortuary cooler, this beer held up it's hops notes very well. I now wish I had consumed at time of purchase just to see the kind of presence they would have had when freshly bottled. This ale is one to try to get if you want to see what a great West Coast IPA tastes like.

I am now on the hunt for these actively, as they are not sold on the east coast of the U.S. to my knowledge. It is simply a well crafted and tasty ale, like it's brother the amber. Get some. If you fancy yourself a pale ale or India pale ale drinker, you will find that you won't be disappointed.

Columbus, Centennial and Cascade hops make 95 IBU's. Couple that with a 7.3% ABV you shouldn't need more proof as to how good it tastes. But just in case you do, check out the hardware earned on this is a multi-award winning ale:

• San Diego County Fair 
  2008 Best of Show
  2008 Gold - American IPA 
  2007 Silver - American IPA
• California State Fair
  2008-1st Place - American IPA
  2005-3rd Place - American IPA
• Los Angeles County Fair
  2007 Gold - American IPA
• Bistro IPA Festival
  2010 Bronze
  2005 Gold
• National IPA Challenge
  2008 Champion

Anderson Valley - Hop Ottin' IPA

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Hop Ottin' IPA
Anderson Valley Brewing Company
17700 Hwy 253
Boonville, CA USA
Est. 1987
www.avbc.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 7.0 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0

Postmortem Brew Review
Slightly hazy, amber color.
Pine and citrus hops nose.
Off-white, two finger frothy head. Dissipates slowly and leaves a nice sticky draped lacing on the glass.
Great biting hops, mostly citrus in taste, cling to the tongue.
Moderate carbonation. 
Medium bodied. Well balanced and easy to drink.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Anderson Valley's lineup of beers is now available in my immediate area. The previous two reviewed were fetched from a trip to the desert, some time ago.

While the first two were enjoyable, they didn't exceed my expectations for style, but to be fair they were worthy beers in their own right. This IPA is however, an interesting and quite tasty example of what West Coast IPA's are all about. The citrus and pine notes show up well in the nose and are downright show stealers during each sip.

Do be sure to get this under your belt, soon.

Firestone Walker - Union Jack IPA

Dead Soldier 

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Union Jack IPA
Firestone Walker Brewing Company
1400 Ramada Drive
Paso Robles, CA USA
Est. 1996
www.firestonebeer.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = 7.5 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Golden/amber color.
Lots of citrus and pine hops notes on the nose.
Near-white head that does not last too long nor does it lace much.
Heavy lingering hops flavors that turn dry. Slight paper flavor noticed.
Medium bodied, medium mouth feel. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
This is the second Firestone Walker brew I was able to bring back from a west coast trip. As with the other (the Pale Ale) I think something was lost in translation. And I think I know what the culprit may have been. Let me explain...

I have heard and read a lot about this brewer as stated in the previous review of the Pale Ale. As I "boned" up on my homework about this IPA, I noticed the brewer's notes stated the beer was unpasteurized and was best stored at 44 degrees (Fahrenheit). Basically, it required some special handling to ensure it was as fresh a product the brewer intended it to be. I did travel with it for 24 hours without refrigeration, but I can assure you that it was not my mishandling. Looking back on it now, I purchased this and the Pale Ale from a 'big box' liquor/wine/beer chain from their assorted singles shelf, where the customers are allowed to 'mix-a-six' of their own choosing. Those shelves are out in the open and not refrigerated. And although the store had air conditioning, I can reasonably state it was not set anywhere near 44 degrees! As a result, it had a paper flavor that may have been indicative of oxidation.

So alas, fellow beer drinkers - - - I am sad to report that while it was a nice tasting beer, overall, it did not impress due to the off flavor note at the end. As a result, I am chalking it up to the retailer for not having refrigerated the product. And as for me, my selections will be more influenced by how I can better purchase and handle unpasteurized beer in the future. As is my usual course for other beers I have tried and felt may have been mishandled, I will attempt to get an ideal example of this again; likely a fresh refrigerated bottle when next in the western states. It deserves my re-examination as this IPA is a multiple award winning beer, as judged at The Great American Beer Festival.

Lessons learned and shared, so you don't have to learn them for yourself.

Cocoa Beach - 888 India Pale Ale

Dead Men Don't Tell No Tales

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
888 India Pale Ale
Cocoa Beach Brewing Company
150 N. Atlantic Avenue
Cocoa Beach, FL USA
Est. 20??


www.cocoabeachbrewingcompany.com


Brain Damage Quotient = 8.0 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 22.0


Postmortem Brew Review
Translucent yet clear amber color.
Muted citrus hops and just a hint of sweet malt.
Off-white head. Spotted and stringed lacing. Covers to a cap.
Minimal amount of carbonation.
Hops heat comes on with each and every sip.
Malt sweetness is muted but does a good job of balancing the whole mix.
Medium body, medium mouth feel. Great hops stickiness in finish.


Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Today, September 19th, is National Talk Like A Pirate Day. Lookin' around the mortuary fridge for a beer to review, I was becomin' dismayed at the prospect of reviewin' somethin' with an "Arrrgh" (the letter R) in it. This just won't do. After all, I am the poster child for every Jolly Roger ever flown. That would be a cop out of magnanimous proportions! Besides that matey, what would Cap'n Slappy and Ol' Chumbucket think?


I took out me spyglass and spotted the booty in the back of the cold chest...888 India Pale Ale from Cocoa Beach Brewing! Bloody good luck, then. We were in business for a dead reckoning with this treasure of an ale. I plucked it out with me bony paw, arrrgh, and brought it out for a closer examination. Cool lookin' pirate flag sportin' the triple eight skulls? Check! A pirate chest on the sand filled with said pieces of eight? Check! Arrrrrrgh, this was gunna be an easy plunder. All the makin's of Davy Jones secret treasure, right there in me hand! Though it rivals its Pacific coast IPA brethren, it's an Atlantic coast IPA treasure, make no bones about that.


Ye should get yerself some of this grog, mateys. It's me favorite imbibement from all their treasures. Worth crossing the equator and prime meridian for, in search of it's holy nectar. At 8.0% ABV, this concoction will keep the saltiest of dogs satisfied and their scurvy at bay. Pieces of eight, harrrrgh! Fifteen men on a dead man's chest, yo ho ho and a bottle of.......keep yer' rum.


I'll take my share in trade of this stuff, ya' best be belivin' it!

Bear Republic - Racer 5 India Pale Ale

Dead Soldier 

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Racer 5 India Pale Ale
Bear Republic Brewing Company
345 Healdsburg Avenue
Healdsburg , CA USA
Est. 1995
www.bearrepublic.com 


Brain Damage Quotient = 7.0 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 


Postmortem Brew Review
Golden to amber in color with a slight haze.
Smell of grapefruit and sweet orange citrus hops on the nose.
Off-white head, about one finger high, covers to cap.
Fair amount of lacing down the side of the glass.
Citrus tastes more like grapefruit and lemon zest. It belies the aromas.
Active carbonation.
Light to medium bodied mouth feel. 


Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Here's a pretty darn good IPA. I had heard a lot oh hoopla about this one. So when a recent trip took me out west, I found a bottle to bring home to try. It is good, borderline great for an American IPA. It sure fits the qualifications for a west coast IPA. Citrusy hops smell and taste.

Once again, wish I had bought a whole six pack of this stuff. But being that I can only bring back so much in luggage, it was a one off. I liked it.

What's your take?

Ska - Modus Hoperandi India Pale Ale

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Modus Hoperandi India Pale Ale
Ska Brewing Co.
225 Girard Street
Durango, CO USA
Est. 1995
www.skabrewing.com


Brain Damage Quotient = 6.8 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0


Postmortem Brew Review
Golden amber color.
Sweet malts, then a copious amount of pine hops aromas.
One and a half finger of off-white head.
Rings of sticky lacing down the glass with each sip.
Malt sweetness with citric zinging hops element.
Medium amount of carbonation.
Medium bodied, medium mouth feel with a slight oily hops finish. 


Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Modus Hoperandi IPA is a bang-on pine/citrus sticky hops ale. It is very flavorful and well balanced with sweet malt that rounds it out, but rest assured the hops are there from start to everlasting sticky finish.


This is probably one of the best dozen or so west coast American IPA's that I've come across. Fun too, cause' The Reaper likes the skull dude - this time leading the pack in a snazzy suit and tie combo. As he takes the pony-tailed bobby-soxer into a dip, the words "Lip Up Fatty" are emblazoned above the dancing couple. It pays homage to the ska band "Bad Manners" which managed to bust a record into the UK charts back in 1980.


I also found many other "Easter Eggs" on the can.  The word 'recycle' is listed not once, not twice but three times around the can neck. Subtle word choice such as 'walk', 'kite', 'hide', 'seek' even 'shower' are reminders to do good and have fun along the way in life. Something that this beer and brewer, seem to be all about. After all, even the name Modus Hoperandi is a play on Modus Operandi. Hops is how they roll, down in Durango. And having fun seems to be in their nature.


The best hidden word gem was found on the ingredients list. It seems the folks at Ska have found a way to get around the German Purity Law of 1516 by adding a fifth ingredient and still keeping it Reinheitsgebot. What's that fifth ingredient? Love.


No German Brewer would fault them for that brewing addition. Thanks Ska!

Cigar City - Jai Alai White Oak Aged India Pale Ale

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Jai Alai White Oak Aged India Pale Ale
Cigar City Brewing Company
3924 West Spruce Street
Tampa, FL USA
Est.2008
www.cigarcitybeer.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 7.5 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0


Postmortem Brew Review
Cloudy, orange/amber color.
Citrus hops on the nose. White Oak adds a different nose complexity of dryness.
Off-white, two finger head that hangs around a long time.
Sticky, stringy lacing inside of the glass.
Citrus (orange) hops flavored. Woody oak tones shine through.
Moderate amount of carbonation.
Medium bodied mouth feel. Complex flavors of drying oak and citrusy hops on the tongue.


Grim Reaper's Eulogy
I've had the Humidor Series IPA aged on cedar and the standard base JaiAlai IPA's before. Here's a very interesting take on the standard JaiAlai from Cigar City Brewing. It is aged on White Oak and that imparts a new and interesting taste to the beer.


The White Oak adds a rich, pungent and dry quality to the flavor. It truly speaks to you and asks, "Why don't you sit back and just sip me?" I was quite unprepared for this version and was ready to quaff away, but after the first bold flavored sip, I knew that we were going to take some time to get acquainted. It's not that the IPA is overwhelming or strong, it is that the beer has such a complex flavor profile coming off the oak.


And, boys & girls, that is not a bad thing. Settle in and get to know this oak aged treat! Not your ordinary India Pale Ale.

21st Amendment - Brew Free! or Die IPA

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Brew Free! or Die IPA
21st Amendment Brewery
563 2nd Street
San Francisco, CA USA
Brewed at:
Cold Spring, MN USA
Est. 1995
www.21st-amendment.com


Brain Damage Quotient = 7.0% ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0


Postmortem Brew Review
Beautiful deep amber color.
Piney and citrusy hops and caramel malts in aroma.
Near-white, two finger head. Nice draped lacing, good head retention.
Hops are off the charts. Malts play in the background with resiny hops taste.
Moderate amount of carbonation.
Medium bodied. Enveloping hops-play on tongue.


Grim Reaper's Eulogy
No less than six kinds of hops (70 IBU's) and two malts make up the structure of this tongue tantilizing IPA. Found in a supermarket on my trip to Portland, OR, a six-pack of the stuff was snatched up, without question. It was the only representation of 21st Amendment's offerings at this store, but a nice find indeed. And the light weight cans made it a no-brainer for packing in my travelling cooler to bring home and share. The Reaper loves the sentiment "Brew Free! or Die" on this whimsical and free spirited container. Honest Abe is bustin' out of Mt. Rushmore much to the delight of Teddy Roosevelt and concern of George Washington. Thomas Jefferson, a brewer in his own right, appears unfazed by all this calamity. Presumably, Mr. Lincoln is going to go get a sixer of these IPA's for the boys.

Everyone that's tried some has remarked how tasty it is. I still have a few tucked away, but fear they won't last long in the mortuary fridge. And when they are gone, well, we'll continue to search out more. Very nicely done west coast style American IPA.


Get some if you can.

Muahhaahaahaa!

Ninkasi - Total Domination IPA

Dead Soldier 

Jamie "Darth" Floyd
& his minion - Ninkasi Brewing

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Total Domination IPA
Ninkasi Brewing Company
272 Van Buren Street
Eugene, OR USA
Est. 2006
www.ninkasibrewing.com


Brain Damage Quotient = 6.7 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 (3 oz. sample)


Postmortem Brew Review
Hazy orange/yellow color.
Smell of rich malts and citrus/spicy hops on the nose.
Sturdy off-white head, about one finger high.
Great lacing down the side of the glass.
Medium bodied. Full flavored mouth feel. 


Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Round #5
This blog post was done live at the 2nd Annual Beer Blogger's Conference, held in Portland, Oregon. 95 bloggers were in attendance, from over one thousand identified blogs. Luminaries of the craft beer world also attended to serve as presenters and keynote speakers for the event. A "speed round" of blogging was held by brewers, each bringing an exemplary brew to blog. Great craft beers, 12 blogging tables and 60 minutes were allotted in a fun, free-for-all session. 

Great Divide - Rumble Oak Aged IPA

Dead Soldier 

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Rumble Oak Aged India Pale Ale
Great Divide Brewing Company
2201 Arapahoe Street
Denver, CO USA
Est. 1994
www.greatdivide.com


Brain Damage Quotient = 7.1 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 


Postmortem Brew Review
Hazy orange/honey color.
Smell of citrus hops. Nice oak aroma imparts from glass.
Firm but short lasting, off-white head.
Lace clings tightly to the side of the glass with each sip.
Oak taste and hops flavor pretty much dominate the muted malt tones and a vanilla finish.
Medium bodied and modestly complex flavors. 


Grim Reaper's Eulogy
What can't Great Divide do with an India Pale Ale? It is easier to say that they can do pretty much anything. If you are an India Pale Ale fan, strap it on, because Rumble is one not to miss.


This one is a fairly sessionable IPA at a tad over 7%, unlike its big brother Hercules at 10% (yet to be obducted by yours truly.) And it's safe to say that Rumble is unlike its other sibling, Titan, a similar in ABV ale, but does not have Rumble's vanilla nor oak conditioning. Then there's the 17th Anniversary that combines more, more, more of everything as a DIPA, but that is not Rumble either. Oh yeah, there's also Belgica, Rumble's European cousin, a Belgian style IPA.


So where does this Oak Aged India Pale Ale fit in? Rumble tucks neatly in the middle of the pack, yet stands on its own. A fairly easy drinking, modest ABV India Pale Ale with an oaky and vanilla character that hits the taste buds like, well - like WHAM!


A very interesting and unusual India Pale Ale that satisfies and surprises.

Lagunitas - India Pale Ale

Dead Soldier 

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

India Pale Ale

Lagunitas Brewing Company

1280 North McDowell Boulevard
Petaluma, CA USA
Est. 1993

www.lagunitas.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = 6.2 % ABV

Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review

Rich gold color with copper tones.
Smell of citrusy hops and malt sweetness on the nose.
Nice, fluffy, near white head, one finger high.
Good amount of lacing on the glass.

Smooth hops up front and nicely warming in strength on the back.
Dry malt flavor coming through from start to finsih.

Medium bodied mouth feel.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Oooooo! Lagunitas has a nice IPA here that while bitter in hops, keeps you coming back for more. Easily sessionable at a mere 6.2%, this is a tasty take on the American India Pale Ale style.

Many of their other offerings also include hops strength, but this one is a keeper with me. The malt and hops balance is smooth and interestingly complex. Both get nicely tangled around all of your taste buds. Try some yourself and see if you agree. Visit their website if you have the time...there's a lot going on there.

Dundee - India Pale Ale

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

India Pale Ale

Dundee Brewing Company/Genesee Brewing Company

445 St. Paul Street

Rochester, NY USA

Est. 1994

www.dundeebeer.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 6.3 % ABV

Fluid Oz. = 12.0

Postmortem Brew Review

Dark golden color with copper hues.
Citrus/grapefruit hops notes with a biscuit malt aroma.
Off white 2 finger head that leaves a cap.
Good amount of lacing on the glass.

Nice balance malt and hops taste up front, but not as much hops on the finish.

Active carbonation.

Medium bodied mouth feel.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Dundee's slogan "The Best Beer You Never Had" is curious. I guess you could say that I never had it before now. But where does that slogan leave me now? It was a good beer to have. Hmmmm. Hafta' look up their marketing ploy on that phrase, sometime. It took a little sleuthing to uncover their founding date. Seems that Dundee started marketing a lager in 1994 at the former High Falls Brewing plant in Rochester. This was all done under the Genesee name, part of the North American Breweries Group. Nice to see a seasoned veteran of brewing helping to reinvent themselves. From a handful of beers, they have grown the list to around a dozen that include seasonal beers.

Chinook and Willamette hops combine with Caramel 60 and Crystal 77 malts to produce this balanced IPA. At 60 IBU's this India Pale Ale  is on target to produce the hops sting you might expect. I found that the hops appear to be there up front, but seemed a bit missing in action on the finish. In all, it is still a fine IPA and I would easily consider this again.

Grand Canyon Brewing - Black Iron India Pale Ale

Iron Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Black Iron India Pale Ale

Grand Canyon Brewing Company

233 W. Route 66

Williams, AZ USA

Est.????

www.grandcanyonbrewingco.com

Brain Damage Quotient = ?.? % ABV

Fluid Oz. = 12.0

Postmortem Brew Review

Translucent golden amber color.

Appears to be unfiltered as there are suspended particulates.

Grapefruit like hops bang on the nose.

Two and a half finger, fluffy white head that settles rapidly to a nice cover.

Great spiderweb lacing on the glass.

Sticky hops taste. Lots of good hops resin notes coat the tongue.

Light to medium bodied.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy

This one's a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma...

I placed a FaceBook question with three beers to review, all for your reading pleasure today. This one was the clear choice of you wandering souls. I found this in Arizona while visiting, a while back.  Just for the record, if you are reading the notes above, I was not bored and getting carried away with the ? key. Interestingly, I couldn't dig up jack about this IPA on their website! I mean, they have their amber ale, pilsner beer, pale ale, raspberry wheat, white water wheat, stout and even a 'seasonal' listing, (deep breath) but sadly, zilch on this terrific IPA. No ABV info on this ale. Nothing about when they were formed as a brewery, either. Sheeesh! 

But fear not, my minions!  The autopsy is just in on this IPA. The hops hit you straight away from the pop of the can tab. Stick foam covered my bony finger as I cracked it open. The hops are there and add a lot of warmth.  Either that or the thermostat is broken down here in hell. Speaking of its heat, the warmth may also be due to the unknown amount of alcohol by volume. Since there is nothing to go on from the website, I turned to two 'other' fairly reputable sources, but they too do not have a clue as to its ABV. Judging by other IPA's drunk, I'd place it in the 6 % to 6.5% range. Possibly a tad more even...

So in closing, we don't know a hell of a lot about this brew. GRAND CANYON ARE YOU OUT THERE??? You've got to place a bit of info on this wonderful libation on your website and correct the err of your ways, SOON. Cripes, do you need a branding manager?  I'm available...call me. ;-)

Oh, by the way dear audience...you all should try this IPA if you get a chance. It's very sessionable. That is all.

Now back to playing with the keyboard?????        ????????????????????? ??????????????????         ???????????????????              ??????????????????             ????????????????????????????????????

Pensacola Bay Brewing - Li'l Napoleon IPA

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Li'l Napoleon IPA

Pensacola Bay Brewing

225 E. Zaragoza Street
Pensacola, FL USA
Est. 2009
www.pbbrew.com


Brain Damage Quotient = 7.5 % ABV

Fluid Oz. = 32.0 (Growler)


Postmortem Brew Review

Hazy amber/orange color.

Bready malts front of nose presence with  floral hop notes.

Draped lacing, off-white head that simmers out to a wispy cover.

Tastes nicely hopped and bitter up front, finishing with a balance of malt.

Moderate carbonation. 

Medium bodied. Finishes very clean.


Grim Reaper's Eulogy

Brought to me from the other timezone of Florida, was this half-growler of Lil' Napoleon. I've heard of this brewery/pub but they are about a ten hour drive from my parts, here at the crypt. Fortunately, I have friends in the right places.

This is a real nice IPA. In the growler bottle, it didn't stand a chance. I reaped it within 24 hours of pour from the tap and must say that it was very enjoyable.

One of three to review, from Pensacola Bay. Can't wait for the other two.

SanTan Brewing - Hop Shock I.P.A.

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer

Hop Shock I.P.A.

SanTan Brewing Company

8 South San Marcos Place

Chandler, AZ USA

Est. 2007

www.santanbrewing.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 7.1 % ABV

Fluid Oz. = 12.0

Postmortem Brew Review

Rich copper color.

Pine hop aroma and a bit of malt on the nose.

Two finger head that leaves great spiderweb lacing.
Tastes hoppy up front with a good twinge of malt in the backbone.

Modest amount of carbonation.

Full flavor, medium bodied. Tasty hops.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
The time has come when I finally review this brew. I had a pint on tap at SanTan in Chandler earlier this year. I was glad to see they packaged in cans. So this one was brought home to compare with my tasting notes from the tap. It is quite a rocking West Coast style India Pale Ale, and one that I won't soon forget!


SanTan had such a great lineup of beers when we visited, we also ordered one of their surfboard shaped flights. It included 7 of their best from the tap. I truly enjoy a good IPA and find that this one ranks right up there in my top ten. But that's just my opinion. The bottom of the can says it all, "Craft Beer For Beer Drinking."  They may be masters of the obvious, but at least they included these instructions for its application, lest you forget what to do with it. Muahhahaha!


Along with great beer, SanTan's brewery is also a full service food pub, and the fare is oh, so good! If you ever get a chance to visit the Phoenix area, make it a point to swing by Chandler for a visit. You will be well rewarded.

Bison - India Pale Ale

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
India Pale Ale
Bison Brewing
2030 Fifth Street 
Berkeley, CA USA
Est. 1989
www.bisonbrew.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 6.0 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 22.0

Postmortem Brew Review
Light amber/orange color with very slight haze.
Grapefruit and some pine in the aromas. Bit of malt comes through.
One-finger tan head that leaves minimal lacing.
Light pine/grapefruit hops along with a slight drying coffee taste.
Modest amount of carbonation.
Light to medium mouth feel.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Organic brewing does not mean any compromise in taste or quality. It may cost a bit more to produce, but knowing that the ingredients are of the highest standard makes it all worthwhile.

This is a west coast IPA, but it is modest in its IBU punch. It is surely a worthy IPA by any standard. The best part is it won't over stimulate your taste buds or burn out your tongue with traditional west coast hopping. It may also be due to the single hopping style employed in this brew. Bison states on the side label that they play around with single hop formulations and the type is displayed on the neck label. This bottling used the Willamette hop, descended from the Fuggles variety. It has woody and grassy characteristics that leaves a soft hops play on the palate.

All that being said, it drinks a lot more like an east coast IPA. Regardless, I found this to be a great brew, a great value and a delicious IPA indeed.

Boulder Beer - Mojo

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Mojo IPA
Boulder Beer Company

2880 Wilderness Place
Boulder, CO USA
Est. 1979
www.boulderbeer.com 

Brain Damage Quotient = 7.2 % ABV

Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Clear, brilliant light copper color.
Strong presence of citrus hops and light malts detected in aroma.
Two finger, off white head on pour.

Spiderweb lace coating on side of glass.
Hops taste up front, but not as bold as the smell. Malt finish.
Medium bodied. Easy to drink.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Mojo as a term, is something that keeps you going. It's your groove, your vibe, your energy source. From the bottle's label it reads:

 Mo-Jo ('mO-(")jO) n.1: a magic spell or charm; magical power 2: herbaceous ale that summons hop attacks.

For an IPA, it resonates with that emotion, because you could session these all day and not get your over the top IPA burnout.It is an American IPA, done in the English style as the label reads. I had the good fortune to have some of this at the Boulder Brewery last fall, fresh from their taproom. In the bottle, it is nearly just as good.

Find your own Mojo, and see what it's all about.

Bridgeport - India Pale Ale

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer 
India Pale Ale 
Bridgeport Brewing Company
1318 N.W. Northrup 
Portland, OR USA
Est. 1984
www.bridgeportbrew.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 5.5 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Golden color with hazy body.
Big smell of citrus, floral hops. Only the smallest amount of malt detectable in aroma.
Near white color, one finger head. Sticks around a while.
Good amount of sticky, draped lacing on glass.
Light, not too sweet, malty taste with boost of hops taste in the finish.
Light to medium bodied.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Several things appealed to me about this IPA. First was the company name, as it reminds me of home. Not Portland OR, but my hometown is named Bridgeport. Brushing nostalgia aside, this bottle conditioned brew states. "Oregon's Oldest Brewery" on the bottle cap and also in raised script lettering, on the bottle neck. Being first at something, in the beer industry, is always good to claim.  Eyeballs roaming around the label, we find the statement, "Reach Beervana" in a fancy font on the backside. Hmmph...that's pretty cool. Must find that spot, someday.

But mostly, what intrigued me was this; over two years ago, I ordered this IPA while in Colorado but they were out. I really wanted to try it then, and resigned myself to another day.  Fast forward - - - today is the day! I really liked this brew by Bridgeport. A real great blast of floral hops on the nose, and a nicely balanced malt and hops composition in taste. This is so drinkable for an IPA. Pure pleasure to enjoy. I've a few more Bridgeport ales in the fridge and can't wait to review them as well.

Sometimes, you just have to wait. And brother it was worth the wait.

Cigar City - India Pale Ale (Humidor Series)

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
India Pale Ale (Humidor Series)
Cigar City Brewing Company
3924 West Spruce Street
Tampa, FL USA
Est.2008
www.cigarcitybeer.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 7.5 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 25.4

Postmortem Brew Review
Cloudy, orange/amber color.
Citrus hops on the nose. Cedar does come through once the liquid warms up a bit.
Off-white, two finger head that hangs around a while.
Sticky, stringy lacing adheres to the inside of the glass.
Citrus (orange) hops flavored. Woody cedar tones shine through.
Modest amount of carbonation.
Medium bodied mouth feel with a cling of cedar and hops flavor to the tongue.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
No cigar jokes. No cedar or wood snark. This, boys and girls, is how you make a multi-award winning IPA. One GABF gold medal in 2009 and a silver in 2010.

It is citrusy, hoppy and cedar-y just like it claims, all in tremendous balance. If you fancy an IPA the next trip to Florida, go and see the boys at Cigar City and order up a Humidor IPA. Utterly fantastic and pure joy for your senses.

Samuel Adams - Latitude 48 IPA

Dead Soldier

Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Samuel Adams - Latitude 48 IPA
Boston Beer Company
Boston, MA USA
Est.1985
www.samueladams.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 6.0 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Dark amber color that pours 'thick', almost murky.
Mostly the smell of floral hops, a bit of sweet malt in the nose.
One finger, fluffy off-white head.
Foam leaves behind some sticky spotted lacing.
Complex hops, (grapefruit and sticky pine) tastes with malt in the background.
Medium bodied mouth feel.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy 
Latitude 48 IPA gets its name and taste from hops collected along, (you guessed it), the 48th latitude. These are primarily from Ahtanum, Simcoe and East Kent Goldings style hops.  They are 'dry hopped' according to the Sam Adams website, which achieves the extraction of the lupulin hop oils directly from the plant matter. There is a nice malt component in the background. It is a soft, sweet caramel taste that blends well with the hops.


After tasting and reviewing my notes on this IPA, I looked at the body and noticed it looked a bit thick and creamy upon the pour. I then read other reviews to see if that was a common element of their finding, but mostly everyone else saw a nearly clear beer. Perhaps this one had been mishandled? It did not affect the taste, however it did look just a bit off and detracted from the full pleasure of drinking the ale.


I shall try again sometime and compare my notes against this particular bottle.  What has been your experience?