I really don't know what to say here...

Sometimes I feel like all I ever do is talk about IPA's. I wonder if you guys reading this would ever like to hear me talk about something else. Well, if you want me to talk about something else....just comment. Until then, I am feeling like talking about my executive meeting with Brother Joe at my favorite La Conner hang out....the pub at the Nell Thorn. I love this place for its intimate ambience. It feels like you are in the galley of a old, wooden sailboat. So check it out...its a great place. Oh yah, it also has the best burger and fry combination I have ever had.

I had a pint of the Gospel IPA (filtered on the right) and Boundary's (unfiltered on the left), both of which I have spoken of before. They represent two very different styles. Boundary's is my favorite and is citrusy (grapefruit), piney, and otherwise floral....just wonderfully balanced. The Gospel is a kick in the teeth. Although I may not prefer it over the Boundary style, I appreciate it for what it is....the epitome of what the alpha hop represents. Based on that alone, it is always worthy of a pint.

Cause for self-reflection

After having two trusted beer friends tell me (on separate occasions) that they are sick of Bbay IPA for its over-hyped and average quality, I have decided to look inward. What brings on this disdain? One of these friends told me that they have had it only once because they are sick of everyone worshiping that beer. I've got to be honest, that is kind of how we all view the mass-produced American pilsners, so I kind of understand that standpoint. As I write, I can't help but think that I have become the Yankee fan of the microbrew world. Case in point, just about every establishment in the valley has it on tap at one time or another....the P-house has it on always and it is their biggest seller. The other friend, upon my prodding, started talking about a certain detectable mold in beers that they get out of Boundary's IPA. I don't know about that, but I will say this....I have never had a reason to distrust that person previously. Maybe my revelation is that beer appreciation is much more subjective than I even gave it credit for. Ironically, they both have a fondness for Stone's IPA and Elysian's Immortal, so they aren't blowing spoke. In conclusion, what makes Lopez Jas....Lopez Jas, is that he really digs aggressively hoped, citrusy unfiltered IPA's. If its wrong, then I don't wanna be right!! Ah Yeah!!

And....Until Next Time

Lopez Jas

Sorry if some of you are getting tired of hearing about IPAs, BUT...

Here are some more!!! AAAHHHH YEEEEAAHHH!

Moylander Double IPA - Moylan's Brewing

Pretty much what makes me happy in a Double IPA. Understandably sweet with a well balanced hop profile. They call it "fat and resiny, with aggressive and excessive hops swinging on an enormous malt backbone like naughty monkeys on a vine." Yup, I can definitely see that. One more thing I should mention...I didn't finish the whole double deuce (22 oz) last night because I ended up having to do more revisions to our (graduate cohort) unit plan than I thought and I needed the majority of my wits. Soooo...I put the rest in the fridge (uncapped). Fast-forward to this evening. I was watching Man v. Food and lamenting the fact that I am not Adam while finishing the last of that beer. Flat but cold, halfway like a cask, but definitely still worthy of a positive experience. It reminded me that yes, definitely sweet, but really well hoply balanced (you know what I mean).

As I am writing this blog, I am working on this one...

Whoop Pass Double IPA - Silver City Brewery

This one, along with the Ballz Deep, was what my lovely wife picked up for me during that trip to the south sound. What can I say about this one. The malting character is a little less meaty than the Moylander. The hops are earthier and chewier, possibly from a more pronounced yeasty background. I could be way off on this, but you're not paying for this review anyway. A nice drinking experience, just a step behind the Moylander in my opinion.

Now, back to my beer...and one of my other vices, Storm Chasers!

Until next time,

Lopez Jas

Just reporting the facts...

Being the devoted grad student that I am, I nearly forgot about my other almost-as-important duty....getting out to North Sound for the 1st batch of the imperial and relaying the message of good beer. With that said, let me begin.

To Hell in a Hop Basket Imperial IPA - North Sound Brewing

At 10.7% and approximately 130 IBU's, this was quite a brew. Obviously sweet, but surprisingly well balanced for something on the fringes of beer. The hop balance was nice as well, nice and citrusy. Then again, if you add hops every 5 minutes in a 90 minute boil and dry-hop it...what do you expect. I'll tell you what to expect, a frickin' rad beer!! As if my experience wasn't good enough, Kurt had a bit on cask as well. Simply Wonderful!

Of significant importance as well...

The Gospel IPA - Skagit River Brewing

Most of you know, I wouldn't necessarily go out of my way for Skag-beer, but this comes as a suggestion from other well-informed/cultured hop-heads. Arlen (a local brewing institution) had lent his services to one of our local breweries and the result was pretty damn good. Of significant importance was the hop balance...very angry... as I like to say of an aggressively bitter IPA.

Special thanks to Casey at the Nell Thorn for putting it on.

Until next time,
Lopez Jas