April 19, 2014 Show

This week we examine some new and unique takes on the insanely popular IPA style.  The styles are not technically recognized as a beer style, but those who have had or heard of them do not think about this when enjoying this amazing beers.

Dogfish Head Brewery- Aprihop: Dogfish Head has made some bold IPA's and really set one of the standards for the style itself.  With Aprihop the brewery re-staked their claim within this beer style by blending a standard American IPA with apricot juice.  Resulting is an unbelievably juicy and thirst quenching IPA that still manages to have a fantastic and clean finish.  The choice of using Amarillo hops adds another great layer of flavor depth to this beer with strong orange notes seemlessly melting into the apricots.  Stop reading and try it, especially since this seasonal beer will be gone soon!

Harpoon Brewery- Brown IPA: Harpoon really produces some world class beers, especially those in their 100 Barrel series and this Brown IPA is no exception.  While technically classified as an American Brown Ale, this "Brown IPA" is certainly a hopped up version of a somewhat hoppy style.  Heavy handed use of Chinook, Simcoe, and Amarillo hops create one huge hop bomb with a silky smooth brown ale backbone.  Very enjoyable and only 5.7% ABV!

Otter Creek- Black IPA: This beer is proof positive just how popular the Black IPA style is truly becoming.  Otter Creek used to brew this beer as a seasonal but demand grew to such a fever pitch that it soon made it's way into being brewed year round and we can all rejoice for that decision!  This is an incredibly smooth and easy drinking Black IPA that does not have any unpleasant notes and is actually what we would call a fantastic introductory beer to the Black IPA style.

Stone Brewing Co.- Sublimely Self-Righteous Black Ale: Another beer that was made available for a limited time, specifically as part of Stone's annual anniversary beer lineup.  However, demand for this beer to be brewed again was huge and soon the brewery did just that and thus unleashed the first widely available Black IPA upon the market!  This is certainly the most powerful beer in the bunch with aggressive hopping and a bold malt selection.  This is certainly not a beer for the faint of heart, but is truly a fantastic drinking experience.  An absolute must have!


This weeks special beer from the dark nether regions of Derek's fridge:


Odell Brewing Company- Runoff Red IPA: Wow, just wow!  Odell is a brewery that does not have it's footprint in a lot of states, but the states that it is in, well these are very lucky people!  This fantastic rendition of an Amber Ale gives a smooth malt feel with perfect citrus and pine hops and fantastic carbonation that seemingly tickles the palate while cleansing.  Not many beers can hold their own after drinking Sublimely Self-Righteous, but Runoff Red not only held it's own, it absolutely dominated.  As with all Odell beers, this is another to be classified as world class!