Hop lovers rejoice. The back to back reign of dark brews on Sunday Suds has come to an end, and I’m breaking out some deliciously bright and hoppy India Pale Ales. Both of these American style hop monsters are like sunshine in a glass, with juicy citrus flavors, rich, sweet malts, and of course, a generous amount of balancing bitterness.
India Pale Ales were first created many years ago by the English during their colonization of India. Already lovers of ales, they found that by increasing the amount of hops used in their beers, there was a preservative effect that would keep the beers fresher over the long cross-sea voyage. India Pale Ales were made out of necessity then, but since have gained popularity with American brewers for their intense, hoppy bitterness and complex flavor profiles.
Today we will be talking about two India Pale Ales from San Diego County, California, the self proclaimed home of hop enthusiasts. These beers may not be for the faint of heart, but if you’re willing to live a little dangerously, it’s sure to pay off.
Brew #1: Port Brewing Company “Wipeout” India Pale Ale
Our first brew comes from the Port Brewing Company in San Marcos. Port brewing is well known for also making Belgian Abbey styled ales under the Lost Abbey brand. While those ales follow the Belgian model, Port’s brews are straightforward and very unique at the same time. Their line consists of India Pale Ales, a Red Ale, a dark Strong Ale, as well as a series of seasonal and specialty beers, each made using their own special techniques and ingredients that separate them from the competition.
Wipeout, which is dedicated to the county’s local surfers, is a blend of wheat and barley malts, as well as three different types of hops. These include Simcoe (a bitter, aromatic variety with a complex profile, generally dominated by notes of pine resin and herbs), Centennial (a bitter, aromatic variety with citrus tones and a faintly floral quality), and Amarillo (an aromatic variety with bright citrus notes).
The aroma is dense and full of hoppy goodness. Tones of mango and pineapple jelly edge a bright, citrusy core, accented by a leveling aroma of pine sap.
Equally dense on the palate, this brew shows a balanced level of dryness, and a very firm, clean pine resin flavor. There is a faintly floral quality to the mid palate, with tropical fruit tones emerging lightly behind notes of bitter orange marmalade. There is a good amount of bitterness to this beer, and it’s fairly dry on the palate, leading into a very clean finish. Well done.
Worth Trying. 88 points.
Brew #2: Karl Strauss Tower 10 India Pale Ale
Karl Strauss is one of my favorite breweries in San Diego County. Their line is diverse, featuring a deliciously crisp but creamy Amber Lager, a smooth and hearty Red Ale, the fascinatingly complex IPA that we are about to talk about, and a host of other specialties and seasonal offerings. What I like most about them is that no matter what the beer is, you know that it’s going to be good.
Like our first brew, Tower 10 also takes its inspiration from the California coast. Also like our first brew, it uses a blend of three different hops, with Chinook (a bittering variety with citrus, pine, and roasted herbal notes) added during the brew and Cascade (a floral and citrusy variety used for aroma) and Centennial added following fermentation.
The aroma is dominated by dense, showy honey tones and rich resinous hop notes blossoming from the glass. Pine sap, intoxicating flower petals, and a grapefruit skin aroma open up with a light spin in the glass.
Deep and caramel toned, edging on bitter chocolate, with coffee beans and pine nuts, the palate is immediately complex and attention getting. Curiously butter toned and caramely with only a faint hint of floral notes showing around the edges. There is a slightly tarry quality to this brew, with a subtle, persistent piney flavor that begins softly but shows very clearly at the end. The finish is long lasting with pine, honey, and a faint grapefruit flavors persisting. This brew is very well balanced, and while there is a considerable amount of bitterness, there is also a sweet maltiness and subtle citrusy component that actually make it feel pleasant and refreshing. A well made brew all around.
Worth Buying. 90 points.
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