Beer
Review:
Indica IPA
Eureka, California, USA
By: George
Zhen
October 1, 2005
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(Note:
As per our Mission Statement, there are a few caveats
regarding the beers we can review when there are no
native beers available, We could not find any beers
to represent Norway at our local supplier, so we have
instead reviewed a beer from a country we have previously
visited.)
(Stockholm, Sweden) - Such
a pretty label, I thought. I mean, I can hardly see
anything, but that label is spot-on mad! An IPA - ok,
I'm in the mood. Eureka, California, huh? Ok, I would
expect something on the west coast with this design.
My beer guy recommends it highly. Tells me some story
about giving this beer to a couple of straight girls
at a Ani
DeFranco concert. Hmmm. Straight girls at an Ani
show? Another story...
So, it's an off night flying-wise,
meaning that we're flying in a region where no local
beer representative can be found. Our rules are that
we can in that case drink whatever we want from any
country we've been to before. Perfect - Indica IPA
from
Lost Coast Breweries it is.
Pop the cap and pour it
into one of those fancy glasses and watch the most amazing
head I've ever seen. Really - this is perfection! Foamy,
rich, height and a trace film left on the glass all
the way through. I mean, ALL THE WAY! That sets a standard
that we'll be referring to from this point forward.
"Did it pour like Indica?" "No, not quite!"
Color is a murky gold with some artifacting when held
to the light. As beautiful as an IPA can get in the
glass.
Smell the hops? I can still
smell them, but it shouldn't scare you. This is no nasty
Arrogant Bastard or intense Avery IPA with so much hoppage
that it is undrinkable. Sure, it has a bitter bite,
but not so much that a pilsner guy or gal can't appreciate
it. The finish is complex and lasting, working up the
nose with a reminding bite that demands another sip
soon after the crescendo fades.
At 6% ABV, this IPA isn't
as strong as some other infamous IPAs, but you'll do
fine unless you're an absolute alcoholic. There is a
price the morning after, with a mild hangover awaiting
the sunrise. Some prophylactic Advil before nighty-night,
and you'll be set.
So, here's the kicker about
this beer, boys - it's a chick beer! No, No,
I don't mean it's fruity and impotent like a wine cooler
- I mean it's brewed by two women, Wendy Pound
and Barbara Groom, founders of the Lost Coast
Brewery. I'll be careful not to be sexist, but I don't
think there are too many women brewing beer. If this
is an example of what the industry is missing, then
it's everybody's loss. Great stuff, girls - Your product
gets some of our highest marks...
Beer
Tasting Scorecard
Indica
IPA |
Attribute |
Score
(0-5) |
Head |
5 |
Color |
4 |
Taste |
5 |
Flavor |
4 |
Effect |
5 |
Overall Score |
4.6 |
For more information
on Lost Coast's Indica IPA, visit their
website at www.lostcoast.com
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