Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Red Racer IPA: Central City Brewery
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Imperial IPA, Green Flash Brewing Co., San Diego, CA
Beer Crusade is lucky enough to have reviewed the West Coast IPA from Green Flash a few months ago. I consider myself even luckier to have the opportunity to enjoy that beer's big brother, the Imperial IPA.
As you'd expect from something with "imperial" in the name, this beer pushes the envelope on hop flavors and ABV (9.4%). The hops are ever-present in this beer, imparting a citrus-y flavor and a sensation of freshness. Despite the hop onslaught, this beer is very drinkable and quite tasty.
Frankly, I think this is a great beer, and a top-notch example of a Californian IPA. The biggest downside is that the alcohol is a bit "hot" at times, giving a touch of "burn" to the flavor and drowning out a touch of the hoppy goodness.
Rating = 4.0
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
21st Amendment: Brew Free or Die IPA
Monday, March 1, 2010
Cascazilla, Ithaca Beer Co., Ithaca, NY
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Bayshore Oyster Stout, Flying Fish Brewing Co., Cherry Hill, NJ
The Bayshore Oyster Stout is part of a limited series named after the exits on the Jersey Turnpike (Oyster Stout represents Exit 1). I've never had anything from the Flying Fish Brewing Co., but I'm going to keep them in mind.
The concept of a beer brewed with oysters is a bit bizarre. Would people with shellfish allergies be able to consume this beer? Is the oyster like a tequila worm, waiting at the bottom of the bottle? Is this going to taste totally gross?
Good news - no visible oysters in my beer, and the taste is actually quite good. The flavor and feel of this beer is definitely the highlight. There is a very nice maltiness, with a creamy and smooth feeling on the tongue. The aroma of smoked malt is pervasive, as you'd expect. Basically, this is a very smooth and creamy stout. I get a minor hint of salt, but I really have to think about it to notice. The creaminess successfully hides the 7.0% ABV.
Rating = 3.0
Oddly, I'll be reviewing another Oyster Stout next week. I received two as gifts recently, having never had an oyster stout.


