I typically stay away from the big sticky's during the summer - it's just too hot for a huge hop and malt bomb. But now that the weather has turned, and especially now that it's Tuesday and the weekend is so far away, I've gone back to the staple of my winter months - Double IPA's. The tasting, as mentioned in the email, came about as a result of a visit to the Pike Brewpub. I have always dug the ambiance of the Pike and yesterday was no exception. They always hit the trifecta - great beers, great service and lot's of shit to read on the walls...
Here's today's taste:
Pike Double IPA: Pike Double IPA is a golden hued beauty in the glass. Weighing in at 8% alcohol and 80+ IBU’s it is strong yet balanced. It features Columbus; Chinook; Centennial; Cascade; and Amarillo hops - and is dry hopped with Amarillo and Columbus giving the beer a wonderful aromatic nose. Balanced and drinkable are the key words - like all Pike Beers.
Lagunitas Hop Stoopid: (I copied this verbatim from their website) So Hoppy that it threatens to remove the enamel from one's teeth.
Stone Ruination: So called because of the immediate ruinous effect on your palate. 100+ IBUs. Bracingly bitter. Thick, pungent hop aroma. We would say that no hops were injured in the brewing of this beer, but that would be a massive lie. In fact, the words "Stone Ruination IPA" are what older hop vines use to cause little hop vines to quiver with fright and lose sleep at night . We at Stone honor the brutal massacre of countless hops with this "Liquid poem to the glory of the hop!" Paganism at its best!
