Luce Line Hard Tail West Coast IPA

 Luce Line Hard Tail West Coast IPA. 

7.1% ABV, Luce Line Brew Co, Plymouth, MN.

And here we have the first appearance of Luce Line in the Nib. Hopefully, not the last.

Clear, bright golden hue, slim, white head. 

In the nose: pine, citrus, grapefruit peel, essence of orange.

In the mouth: bitterness abounds on the palate, lingering through the finish. Crisp, clean, snappy. Light bodied and delicious. At last, a West Coast IPA that actually tastes like one. I thoroughly enjoyed this one. 

Hard Tail IPA, a reimagining of our house West Coast IPA. Brewed with a light malt bill and hopped in the kettle with Columbus and Simcoe, Hard Tail is dry hopped over multiple stages with Simcoe, Centennial and a huge helping of Citra hops. 

Back Channel Shadowramma West Coast India Pale Ale

 Back Channel Shadowramma West Coast India Pale Ale. 

7.5% ABV, Back Channel Brewing, Spring Park, Minnesota.

Not long ago, (was it only last week?)I tried out my first Back Channel beer. Another ho-hum hazy. What else do they got? This week, along came a West Coast IPA, named after a misspelling of the cinematic technique used on Mystery Science Theater 3000, with Tom Servo, Joel (or is it Mike Nelson?) (it’s Mike, I now recognize it as the season eight episode “Prince of Space”)and Crow T. Robot riffing on some old Japanese nonsense. I have high hopes for this one. It had better be good...well, it’s a collaboration with Steel Toe, so it has to be, right?

Clear, bright golden hue, sizable snow white head. Looking good.

In the nose: bright, flowery, piney, dank, fully citrified. Very promising.

In the mouth: brisk, crisp, and bursting with hoppitude. Orange and grapefruit, little bit of lime. Bitterness blazes the palate, ending decidedly dry, slightly brittle. Lean bodied, with a slight malt sweetness. Not what I expect or desire in this style. But I’ll give it points for trying. It’s no Size 7, but it gets close. I need more bitter, more dry, more citrus and pine. 

I’m glad I got a free sample. I wasn’t about to drop $18 for a 4-pack, when a 6-pack of Size 7 is right there  for 5 or 6 dollars less.

What’s the matter with West Coast IPA? I like them very much!

Mickey from Prince of Space is one of the great characters from MST3K, up there with Pitch, Rowsdower, Torgo, Mr. B. Natural....oh, man, I’m going to to fall into a binge-watching spiral...

Insight Drift West Coast IPA

Insight Drift West Coast IPA. Featuring Simcoe, El Dorado, Mosaic, Citra Hops. 

WORK IN PROGRESS-NOT FINAL. (This refers to the label, not the beer.)

6.6 % ABV, Insight Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

The can pictured is an unfinished preview of what will probably be a much more attractive label, designed by my old friend Mark Rivard. It is not the first label he's done for them, but you haven't seen the first here yet because I can't get too excited about raspberry pineapple wheat ales. I've been on the fence about it since it came out....show support for Mark, or endure a style I'm not wild about? The debate rages on. If only someone would just come out and give me one, right? But this sample was gifted to me, and I never need hesitate to drink down a West Coast IPA. 

Clear, bright golden color, large and lasting ivory head. 

In the nose: Burst with citrus notes, right out of the gate. Pow! Orange, lemon, grapefruit, tangerine explosion. It fairly pulsates the dank. 

In the mouth: Crisp, clean, bold and shiny. More powerful citrus notes, with a trickle of pine on the side, advance on the palate. A trifle of sweetness, turning swiftly dry, but overly so, and not too brittle or bitter. Hop bitterness is a good sized component of this tasty ale, but it's all well-balanced, smooth and delicious. I look forward to drinking more of this. 

Drift, a mysterious combination of booming multi-dimensional flavor that finishes with an unmistakable finality. Enjoy a bouquet of Pacific Northwest hops. Citrus forward with background of pine, earthiness, and resin. Bitter with a deep and bold flavor profile. 

Original artwork provided by local artist Mark Rivard of Minneapolis. 

Arbeiter WestKüst West Coast IPA

Arbeiter WestKüst West Coast IPA.

6.9 % ABV, Arbeiter Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

Clear, bright golden hue, large, lace-leaving ivory head. 

In the nose: large hop presence, big citrus notes. 

In the mouth: Bitter from the start, with a juicy mouthfeel, ultimately ending dry and brittle. Orange, grapefruit, lemon, and a side of pine. Bitterness never quits the palate, laying in long for the finish. This has all the hops and all the bitterness that a West Coast IPA demands, but it's just a little fresher, brighter, and tastier. Medium bodied, easy drinking (for the hop-heads among us, like me), and an exemplary example of an IPA. 

If you keep brewing this, Arbeiter, I'll keep drinking it. 

Full Sail West Coast Style India Pale Ale

Full Sail West Coast Style India Pale Ale.

7 % ABV, 70 IBU, Full Sail Brewing, Hood River, OR. 

Is the West Coast IPA my favorite style of beer? I still maintain that the Belgian abbey dubbel holds that status, but for casual, easy drinking that's not too rich or too strong or too expensive, I reach for a West Coast IPA any chance I can. Any time I see one, I'll give it a whirl. This time it's a West Coast IPA from Full Sail Brewing of Hood River, OR. This is the third appearance of Full Sail in the Nib, and the first time since 2014. Looking on BeerAdvocate, I have reviewed 18 of their beers on that site, between 2002 and 2010. Since starting this blog, I either haven't seen them that often, or haven't had that much interest in their work. This beer only recently arrived at the store where I currently work, and it was brewed in September of last year. The bottles were dusty when I opened the case. Why are such old bottles arriving in our market?

Other questions: Did I buy this 6-pack because it's a style I lean towards so often, or because I wanted to give Full Sail another try after so many years, or because it was only $8 a 6-pack? Maybe all three...but the third option is the strongest candidate. 

Clear, with a slight chill haze, bright golden, with a prodigious ivory head, looking fantastic. 

In the nose: Bold, vivacious, bristling with pine and citrus. Right on the money. 

In the mouth: Asserive hoppiness climbs on the palate and spreads citrusy goodness all around. Grapefruit, orange, and lemon, with a side of grass & pine. Medium bodied, easy-drinking, for the hopheads among us. If you're not into hop bitterness laying long on the palate and coating the tongue and every other crack and crevice that interfaces the senses, you're best of staying away. Dry finish, nearly brittle, but beautiful and quite delicious. 

Just about as note-perfect of a WC IPA as you're going to find. Once more, I waited until bottle #6 to take the notes. I might just have to pick up another 6-pack. (Although, I'd prefer them fresher.)

Pale malt, oats, and wheat combine to create a golden base allowing Cryo Citra, Mosaic, Simcoe, and Ekuanot hops to shine. Beautiful aromas of tropical fruit, citrus, and melon are well complemented by clean malt notes. This refreshing beer is high on hop aromatics yet well balanced.

 

Oliphant Cats Cats West Coast IPA

Oliphant Cats Cats West Coast IPA.

7.5 % ABV. Oliphant Brewing, Somerset, WI. 

Three years ago, or so, Oliphant released a West Coast-style IPA called "cats, cats, cats, CATS!!!", or something like that. Was this the same beer under a new name, I wondered? I asked Josh who told me that they were saving that name for when they make a double IPA version. So, it begins with Cats Cats, to become Cats Cats Cats Cats, as they have done with Gorb Gorb and Zozo Gun Gun. But, I ponder, why not call the new DIPA Cats Cats Cats Cats Cats Cats Cats Cats? What about that, huh?

Anyway, same beer or not, I'm going to review it again, just for fun...and just as soon as I get this cat off of my arm....damn you, Sonny Boy!

Clear (with a slight chill haze), bright golden hue, long-lasting and lacey white head. Looking great!

In the nose: Bold citrus and pine. Orange, grapefruit, a pinch of pineapple. 

In the mouth: Brash bitterness pounces the palate, plays around and sticks it out for the long haul. Slightly fruity and juicy, but ultimately dry and just a little brittle. Medium body, light malt, nothing but hops and all the goodness that comes from them. Flawless rendition of the style. Make more of these please!

IPA w/ Cascade,Centennial Hops

So, I wonder if my old review of the earlier beer read the same, and, yeah, pretty much. Read it here. Is it the same beer, though. The other was reportedly made with Chinook, Columbus, Cascade, and Centennial hops, and for this one they kept to the final two, apparently. Nothing wrong with that, that's a classic combo right there. They can't all be Citra and Mosaic. 

Pipeworks Karate Cats West Coast Style India Pale Ale with Blood Orange Juice

Pipeworks Karate Cats West Coast Style India Pale Ale with Blood Orange Juice.

7 % ABV, Pipeworks Brewing, Chicago, IL. 

Why did I buy a 4-pack of this beer? The price was right. ($12) I usually enjoy Pipeworks, and I like to sample as much of their wares as I can. (If they are the right style and the right price.) The name and illustration sold me. But...nunchucks and swords aren't karate, you guys, and, besides, how do the cats hold them in their little, non- opposable thumb kitty cat paws, anyway? Think about it!

Clear, bright golden color, slim white head. Looking good. 

In the nose: Nicely hopped. Citrus and pine. Sweet meets bitter.

In the mouth: Juicy mouthfeel at the start, accompanied quickly by brisk, sharp bitterness. Clean and smooth. Blood orange flavor starts to emerge, but remains a participant, not a player. Slightly tart, but hops are still in control. Citrus and pine at play on the palate, with a long, hoppy finish. Light-ish bodied, and effortlessly drinkable. 

Another yum-a-dum-dum Pipeworks beer. Go get some! 

Junkyard Gone Hollywood West Coast style IPA

Junkyard Gone Hollywood West Coast style IPA. With Simcoe, Amarillo and Citra. 

6.9 % ABV. Junkyard Brewing, Moorhead, MN.

Lightly hazed. Not completely clear. They just couldn't do it. Tried, though. Give 'em credit for that. Bright golden hue, short white head. 

In the nose: Big-time citrus and pine. Lemon/lime, orange, grapefruit. Dank.

In the mouth: Great blast of bitterness at the top, nice and juicy, turning dry in a quickness. Crisp, clean, bold and hoppy. Medium bodied, easy-drinking, for the hopheads, of course. All others, need not apply. 

Big, bold, beautiful happiness. This, I love. Yum a dum dum. It delivers all the goods you want in a West Coast IPA, the kind I love. Keep em coming, Junkyard, don't stop here. 

This Oscarworthy IPA is brewed with an all-star cast of hops. In the whirlpool we added Falconer's Flight, Citra, Denali, El Dorado and Strata. Then we dry hopped this West Coaster with more Falconer's Flight, Cryo Ekuanot, and Strata. Le's get to it, annnnd ACTION!

I'm not sure why the references for the West Coast style interpretations always go for Hollywood / L.A. San Diego is home to that style. Why not make a reference to that? (Footnote: this beer came right after the release of BlackStack’s West Coast IPA, Tinseltown.)

The Brewing Projekt Skullduggery West Coast IPA

The Brewing Projekt Skullduggery West Coast IPA. Double India Pale Ale with Simcoe, Centennial, and Amarillo. 

7.2 % ABV. The Brewing Projekt, Eau Claire, WI. 

This is the 5th appearance of The Brewing Projekt in the Nib over the past three years, including that collaboration with Oliphant. This is curious, since their last appearance was in July, and yet I haven't bought any of their beers since, though new ones appear almost weekly at the retail store where I currently work. People say that they're creative, but I think they're promoting illiteracy. They can't spell "jungle juice" right, or "smoothie", or even "project", for goodness sake. All the labels look like outtakes from Adventure Time. Everything's a variation on a smoothie sour, or is called "Puff" or something. And anytime they make a regular ol' IPA that's not a milkshake or a some shit, it's always $17-$20 a 4-pack. Who needs it!

And then I saw this one. $14.99. West Coast style. Double IPA. Okay, let's try it out, and hope they don't pull a switcheroo and make it a hazy without saying anything, as is the custom these days. 

Holy Crap! It's clear! What the---?!? Bright golden, too, with an ample stash of ivory head on top. I never would have believed it. 

In the nose: citrus and pine with a special added pungency, all very lively, bold, and almost aggressive. Highly likable, this. 

In the mouth: Exactly what I'm looking for in this style. Big hops, big bitterness, 100% piney and citric. Medium bodied, slight sweetness, all the classic West Coast hop bitterness ringing in full effect. And the alcohol content isn't quite high enough to really call it a double IPA, I am feeling something and the hop presence on the palate feels double enough. Tasty hoppy treat. Even, if I may, yum a dum dum. 

I give this one my firm stamp of approval. Although, I can get Ninja vs. Unicorn for $4 less, so I may not pick it up too often. Still, nice surprise from these guys. 

Wild Mind Ultra Wires West Coast IPA

 Wild Mind Ultra Wires West Coast IPA.

7.8 % ABV. Wild Mind Ales, Minneapolis, MN. 

All clouded up. Because everything has to be that way now, no matter what. Bright golden hue, large, attractive ivory head. 

In the nose: Powerful citrus and pine, with a dose of cat pee on the side. Actually, it's running down your leg. Don't mind that, just a joke. White wine splashes, as well. (Seriously, this time.) (Although, I was serious about the feline emissions.)

In the mouth: Pow! Great big bite of bitterness, fierce hop attack, bursting with orange and grapefruit, lemon and pine. Delicious! Love it! Medium bodied, easy drunk. Bursts with flavor, then turns dry in the end. Wonderfully bitter hop flavors from the usual gang of suspects. Long, lingering, hoppy, bitter finish. Lovely. 

I broke my vow against the $20 4-pack for this. I'd been whining about why Wild Mind hasn't put anything out in the market, and how if they would, then I would support it, when lo, and behold, there these (and others) were on the shelf, and I saw the price tag, and say to myself, Shit, well, am I going to be a liar, or a sucker, but surely not both. 

Due to the price, I won't grab this one each time I want a good ol' drinking IPA, because I am not made of money. I am not even gainfully employed at this moment. But you should. You sure should. 

West Coast IPA hopped with Cascade, Amarillo and Centennial.

BlackStack Concerned Citizen India Pale Ale

There are no more Concerned Citizens out there than Moe and Galactus.

BlackStack Concerned Citizen
 India Pale Ale.
7.5 % ABV. BlackStack Brewing, St. Paul, MN.

At last, after nearly three years in business, BS has produced their first see-through IPA. The nerve! The gall! The sheer chutzpah! I can believe that they would throw their reputation on the line like that.

Actually, I'm thrilled beyond belief. So tired of every single damned IPA being DDH and Hazy, etc. Or juicy. Give me what I crave, the clean, the dry and the bitter. Unless....we'll see...

Crystal clear, bright golden color, slim, but lasting ivory-toned head on top.

In the nose: Alive with citrus-y hop aromas, with pine on the side. Crisp, clean, and beautiful.

In the mouth: Brash bitterness begins it. Electric hop sensations on the palate. Slight sweetness, moderate malt, easy-drinking and not holding back on the bitter. Lemon, grapefruit, orange. Wonderfully hoppy expression of the West Coast style, the kind that's been missing from the local breweries in favor of the juice and the haze and all that craze for days,...I says...

Now, how is it to get something like this on the reg? I know it's unorthodox to ask for such a thing, but, you know me, I'm a rebel.

It only took us 3 years, but we made our first see-thru IPA. We figured it was about time to scratch that crispy itch and have some good old-fashioned, clear-headed fun. West Coast classics Simcoe & Mosaic low riding with El Dorado & that new new Sabro. CAN U C ME? R U OK?

Surly Yummi Bear West Coast IPA

Surly Yummi Bear West Coast IPA.
6.9 % ABV. Surly Brewing, Minneapolis & Brooklyn Center, MN.

So, it's like a Gummi Bear, but Yummy? I guess? Let's find out...

Lightly hazed, bright golden hued, slim white head.

In the nose: Powerfully pungent. Intense citrus and pine aromatics. This is exactly what I want in an IPA aroma. Just about perfect.

In the mouth: Slight sweetness meets bracing bitterness. Medium bodied, smooth, easy-going. Loads of citrus and pine on the palate. Judicioius juiciness, ultimately dry and delightful.

Thanks, Surly, not not merely trotting out another NE Hazy IPA over and over again, like some breweries I could name. Thanks, for making IPA bitter again.

This west coast-inspired IPA is dry, bold, and hop-heavy–but with a twist. Yummi Bear swaps out the dank, resinous SoCal vibe for a bright, citrusy hop flavor and a hint of tropical fruit character. In other words, it’s Yummi.

Barrel Theory Not On My Worst Day West Coast IPA

Barrel Theory Not On My Worst Day West Coast IPA.
7.5 % ABV. ? IBU. Barrel Theory Beer Company, St. Paul, MN.

Barrel Theory Beer Company of St. Paul opened up in the summer of 2017 and their beers have appeared here in the Nib a total of nine times prior to this post, all of those occasions being reviews from growlers that I've taken home from visits to the taproom. I've been there maybe six times, most of them in company of my good friend Ed. This is the first beer I'll review from them that I did not transport back from St. Paul, and that's because Ed brought it to me in Minneapolis. That's what a good friend Ed is.

There's an important reason that Ed bought a crowler and crossed the river to give it to me. This beer seems to be the first non-hazy IPA ever produced by BT. I'm taking Ed's word for it, for he goes there much more than I. (None of their IPAs reviewed here in the Nib have any clarity.) And both Ed and I are very bored of the ubiquitous hazy IPA. Come on, already, people! Get off the haze train!

Well, they did, and Ed liked it so much, that he made sure that I could review it here, before it goes away. And notes begin....now.

Crystal clear, light amber/bronze coloration, sim white head on top.

In the nose: Citrus and pine, grapefruit, lime, tangerine, lemon rind. Classic West Coast IPA aroma. If a bit subdued.

In the mouth: Big blast of hop bitterness and juicy citrus fruit flavors right from the start. Bitterness lays long on the palate, but slide off in time. Medium bodied, lush malt, easy drinker. Pops with all the classic citrus and pine flavors, with just a little bit of extra juiciness. This one is giving me all the hop flavors I demand, without this cushion that seems to be demanded these days. An old school IPA. The kind that old school beer fans that Ed and I love.

I'm feeling good now. It's making me think of all my favorite IPAs. This doesn't happen with the haze craze for daze IPAze. This one is not only yum, it is yum-a-dum-dum.

This is pretty much absolutely perfect. Make more, BT, make more. Evade the haze! Phooey on the fuzzy!

West Coast IPA with Simcoe, Centennial, Amarillo, & Cascade hops

Utepils Tall Tails American IPA

Utepils Tall Tails American IPA. 6.8% ABV. 76 IBU. Utepils Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Clear, bright golden color, slim ivory head. Looking good.

In the nose: Sweet, fruity, floral. Nicely hoppy. Citric, piney.

In the mouth: Bitterness strikes first, blazes the palate. Brash, fruity, citric, piney, bold, tasty. Medium/light-bodied, Easy-ish drinking. Full of all the IPA I like. Damn, this is a right-on-the-money. Bright, bitter, beautiful. Fresh, delicious.

All hail the West Coast IPA style. Long may it reign! I'm delighted that Utepils the European-style brewery has perfected this style, while so many other locals keep chasing after Hazy and Milkshake-styles.

Our first all American brew. Tall Tails starts with the finest American malted barley and adds big hop flavor and aroma from the Pacific Northwest. Generous additions of Zeus, Cascade and Centennial hops bring the flavor & aroma you crave

Bent Brewstillery The Great Sweat West Coast -style India Pale Ale

Bent Brewstillery The Great Sweat West Coast -style India Pale Ale. 6.5% ABV. 65 IBU. BentBrewstillery, Roseville, MN.

I am so behind. I've got to catch up and try to get to these samples faster. Look at this label. This guy's really excited to be eating a corn dog, on the Midway, under the August sun. The State Fair is a distant memory now. Autumn is here, it's getting colder, no sweatin' any more. Enough self-flagellating, let's drink a beer.

Clear, bright golden, large and lasting ivory head, looking nice.

In the nose: Aburst with citrus and pine, big ol' grapefruit and lemon. Very vibrant.

In the mouth: Out-sized and aggressive hop bitterness pouncing the palate. Fairly juicy, slightly sweet. Then bitter dries it out. Light bodied, hop driven. Long, bittersweet finish. This tastes exactly like a good West Coast IPA should. Not the best, mind you, but a good one nonetheless. Cheers to that.

I like this. More than some other Bent beers. Is this my favorite? Maybe.



The gold medal winning West Coast IPA recipe is a happy, hop-forward jobber that’s a bit dank and catty with notes of squishy fruit, pine and citrus, finishing crisp, dry and thoroughly digestible. With loads of MN malt, more than ample hooch and buckets of New World hops, The Great Sweat can stir even the swelteriest soul.

I'll apologize again for the tardiness as I bundle up to head outdoors. I promise to review the beers in the proper season. Seriously, this time.

Uinta West Coast-style IPA

Uinta West Coast-style IPA. 6.3% all. by vol. "great tasting & gluten reduced.""Parked by Uinta Brewing, Salt Lake City, Utah." (Parked?)

To the eye: Clear, bright golden. good sized layer of white foam for the cap. Nice. 

In the nose: Hop bitterness and citrus notes team up, with pine lurking behind. Grapefruit rind, orange zest, and a patch of forest floor. 

In the mouth: Bold bitterness, bright citrus flavor.  Medium, to lightish bodied. Absolutely delightful. This one's got it just the way you want it.

Our bold and citrusy West Coast-style India Pale Ale—brewed using four different hop varieties—features pronounced aromas of pineapple, mango and pine.

Town Hall Assertive

Another new beer from Town Hall, which was released a week ago Monday, from a growler I purchased this Monday, two days ago. And once more, it's not on the website. Maybe Sean L. will come to the rescue once more?

5.7% ABV. West Coast-style pale ale, assertively hopped with Centennial and Chinook hops.

Clear, bright golden coloring, slim white head.

Vibrant, fruity, beautifully bitter hoppy nose. Citric notes aplenty. Perfectly lovely.

In the mouth: bursting with hops on the palate. Slightly astringent bitterness, melds well with malt. Medium-bodied, easy drinking. Downright down able, and an utter pleasure for a hop-head like me. Might be a bit much for folks who like a mellower, maltier pale ale or IPA, but not me. This hits me right where I live. Love it.