On tap at Sogo’s, robustly “sinful delight” (with unassuming 10.6% ABV) spreads coffee-roasted espresso bittering atop ashen hop-charred nuttiness with assaultive brevity. At the bold finish, thick dark-roast coffee tones gain cacao-nibbed black chocolate insistence and mild burnt wood fray.
On tap at Growler & Gill, calmly reserved ‘tropical lager’ wrangles lemony yellow grapefruit spritz out of zesty Citra-Mosaic hop sunshine. Vinous white grape subtlety underscores lightly embittered orange rind midst where sweet pineapple-coconut tranquility contrasts mild pine resin subsuming divergent India Pale Lager.
On tap at Plank Pizza, “blissfully” well-balanced moderate-medium body leads lemon-peeled pineapple, peach and mango tropicalia thru grassy herbal hop astringency, dank pine resin and sweet floral perfuming. A mellower IPA.
Irresistible medium-bodied India Pale Ale relies on sharp tropical fruiting to resonate above resinous hop pining and wispy floral herbage. Sunny orange-bruised grapefruit, pineapple, peach, mango and tangerine tang picks up browned pear-apple sweetness above biscuity cereal-grained sourdough bottom. Recessive chamomile, hibiscus and jasmine illusions flutter softly.
Pervasive eye-squinting white grape vinegaring, salty lemon liming and mild gooseberry tartness receive tartly kettle-soured lactobacillus yeast to further desiccate the front end of moderate Berliner Weiss. Beneath the surface, acidulated malts increase lactic thrust. Tertiary lime zest, green apple and melon rind illusions whir.
Stylishly mellow Imperial IPA celebrates West Coast brewers’ 22nd anniversary with soft-tongued approachability. Lemony grapefruit-orange tang comes as expected, livened up by pineapple, mango and peach tropicalia as well as dank pine resin and herbal notions. Mild caramelized oats create gentle base.
Invigorating jet black full body veers from molasses-licked brown chocolate roast to bitter oak-charred hop sear. Syrupy chocolate caked midst picks up ancillary cocoa nibs, vanilla, coffee, black licorice and cinnamon bun illusions. Boldly righteous.
On tap at Growler & Gill, juicy mandarin orange, tangerine and bruised orange tang integrated into assertive hop profile of strong 9.4% ABV IPA. Lemon peel bittering contrasts ancillary nectarine, cantaloupe and orange sweetness at the backend.
Gloriously well-balanced 21st Anniversary Imperial IPA contrasts bitter piney fruiting against sweet spruce-sugared tropicalia as viscous amber-hazed yeast sinew creates sticky texture. Sharp orange-peeled ruby red grapefruit, pineapple, mango, tangerine, peach and tang briskly burrows thru richly creamed caramel-candied cookie dough malts. Boozy 9.8% ABV warmth lingers lightly below fascinatingly fruitful fodder.
On tap at Cloverleaf, nifty collaboration between USA’s Stone, UK’s Beavertown and New Zealand’s Garage Project utilizes delicate Down Under fruiting and mild chili peppering for unique India Pale Ale (with muted 8% ABV). Calming tropical fruiting gains mild habanero burn while advertised “colossal hop character” only results in moderate bittering. Subtle kiwi and yuzu adjuncts allow lemon zest, pineapple, orange, grapefruit and mango illusions to coexist alongside waxy plasticine swipe.
Pleasurable dry-toned IPA-like piney fruiting gives West Coast pale ale a certain luster. Juicy grapefruit-peeled orange rind bittering stays moderate as easygoing passionfruit, mango, pineapple and nectarine illusions sweeten the back end alongside honeyed cereal grains and mild floral daubs.
Divergent li’l IPA refrains from typical fruited pine styling for milder sourdough-like Challah breading. Subdued floral-spiced fruitiness lingers with lemony orange-candied pineapple and peach wisps. Thin and pallid up-front, retaining pleasingly sweet baguette resonance and musty grain seepage.
