Month: July 2014

Green Flash West Coast IPA

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gree flash

Where – Dos Pinas Taqueria

How – On Tap

Green Flash West Coast IPA on-tap is always a welcome sight.  The local taqueria tends to have it on tap, and it is an easy pick for me.

It is actually a Double IPA, so the ABV is 8.1%, and you can taste it with the 95 IBUs.

Creamy head, with tropical and grapefruit zest.  Amber orange pour and intensely hoppy.  Fairly carbonated.

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Overall, if I am in the mood for a bigger IPA, this is a good choice.  To me, it comes off hoppier than some of the others DIPAs like Enjoy By, and not quite as smooth.  There is some caramel sweetness and pineyness.  Aptly named, as to me, this is what a California, especially San Diego, IPA is.

My score: 86/100.

http://www.greenflashbrew.com/our-beers/west-coast-ipa/

Coronado Brewing Frog’s Breath

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Where – Steep Brew at Whole Foods Potrero Hill

How – On Tap

I recently at Frog’s Breath on tap at Steep Brew, the beer bar in our local Whole Foods.  The description of Frog’s Breath was interesting, and slight concerning.  Specifically, it was described as an unfiltered IPA being brewed with spices, kaffir lime leaf, lemon and orange zest. This type of description generally concerns me, as I prefer my beers without added flavors and spices.  However, the kaffir lime and spices were not prevalent, and at most, in the background.

Alcohol content was 6.5%.

Fairly foamy head with lemony, zesty and spicy finish.  Overall fairly smooth, and the finish was unique.  Would I get it again?  I would have one on tap, but I probably would not buy a 6 pack, 22 oz., or growler.

My rating: 70/100

http://coronadobrewingcompany.com/frogs-breath-ipa-hops-onto-shelves-and-taps-in-april/

Figueora Mountain Lizard’s Mouth

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Figueroa-Mountain-Lizards-Mouth-Imperial-IPA-e1398881125832-200x200

Where – Figueroa Mountain Brewery, Santa Barbara

How – On Tap

After a visit over two years ago to Santa Barbara, we stopped at the Figueroa Mountain Brewery in  Buelton on our way home.  I was impressed by the beers, but when we recently went back down to SB and tried some more of the beers in the new brewery in the “Funk Zone” near the pier, it was a whole new experience.

Not only is the new brewery a great place to hang out, listen to music and soak up the sun, the beers are killer.

My personal favorite was the Lizard’s Mouth Double IPA. Another strong one, with an ABV of 9.2% and 100 IBUs.

The pour is golden with a light, white head.  The aroma is citrusy.  Balanced hop flavor, with some citrus flavors and a slight hint of caramel on the finish.

Overall, an incredibly smooth DIPA.  Unfortunately, when we were in town, the SB brewery was all sold out of bottles of this one, as was the Buelton brewery.  Hopefully it will makes its way up north soon…

93/100

http://www.figmtnbrew.com/our-beers/#lizards-mouth

Stone Enjoy By

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Where – Steep Brew, Whole Foods Potrero Hill

How – On Tap

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The first post must go to what is currently my favorite IPA out there, the Stone Enjoy By series.

At 9.4% ABV, this one is a monster.  I have had it both in the bottle and on draft, and it is delicious either way.

Fairly light head and carbonation is light.  Definitely has some grapefruit flavors, and extremely smooth.  Piney hop aroma.

stone

This is the smoothest Double IPA I can ever remember having.  Closest other one is the Cafe Racer.  After the initial smoothness, there is a massive hit of the hops.

Each different Enjoy By “date” I have had has been consistently good with no variation noted.

My rating:  95/100

http://enjoyby.stonebrewing.com/

UPDATE – Recently had the Enjoy By 08/16/14 in bottle, still as delicious as all the prior iterations.

UPDATE – I recently had the 10/31/14 iteration (photo above), and it was a bit sweeter than prior iterations.