So for this week's Beer of the Week I ventured down Interstate 70 to Columbus, Ohio. Though it's not necessarily "local," it is regional and it is one of my favorite, commonly available IPAs. Columbus IPA really breaks away from the stereotypical IPA, which should interest non-hopheads.
Though Columbus IPA carries with it the traditional elements of IPAs, there is one particular feature that separates it from the rest: it's floral aroma and flavor. The aroma invites the palate to prepare itself with scents of faint malt sweetness, pine, orange zest and citrus, and substantial floral notes. The taste is similar to the smell with malts, mild pine, orange and citrus, but is dominated, completely and utterly, by floral hop flavors. This beer is like drinking a recently blossomed flower and its magnificent. To date, I would struggle to find another easily accessible IPA that captures the floral essence of hops as well as this one. Yet it doesn't completely abandon the parts of IPAs that hopheads love: fruity, pungent, and bitter flavors.
One of the reasons some people avoid IPAs is due to the style's pungent, bitter hop presence. However, at only 50 IBUs, this beer brilliantly incorporates mild bitterness, but allows the floral aroma and flavor to bloom throughout the drinking process. The sweet malt backbone also helps to balance some of the bitterness.
This beer is difficult to find in the Pittsburgh area, but a trip to Boardman/Youngstown, Akron or west toward St. Clairsvisville/Zanesville on I-70 may yield positive results. I recently picked up two bottles at Vintage Estate in Boardman, Ohio. They've also had it on draft at VE. At their sister location, Magic Tree, they occasionally have some Columbus Brewing Company offerings, including Gold Medal winning Uncle Rusty and the ridiculously delicious Double IPA, Bodhi. So you may find it there. If I see it around Boardman or Youngstown, I'll be sure to alert you via Facebook or Twitter.
My Full Review:
Appearance: Pours a hazy orange with a thin, cream-colored head.
Aroma: Faint malt sweetness, some orange zest, citrus, mild pine, and substantial floral notes.
Taste: Matches the nose: orange zest, citrus, some sweet tangerine cream. Primarily floral, freshly-blossomed pungent flowers with a mild tang on the back palate. The sweet malt forms a steady backbone that does an exceptional job of carrying the floral tastes and light tangerine, orange and citrus flavors.
Mouthfeel: Stinging carbonation, medium bodied. The carbonation helps accentuate the "florality" of this beer and assists in lingering flower and orange/tangerine tastes on the back of the palate.
Overall: A well-balanced, medium-bodied IPA that deserves the high rating I've given it. The floral essence of this beer makes it unique and allows both hopheads and non-hopheads to enjoy it. Personally, one of my favorite IPAs. When I see this on tap or in bottles anywhere, I'm sure to purchase it.
Final Rating: 4.59/5
Can't find it? Let me know and next time I see it, I'll try to grab one for you!
Cheers and I sincerely hope you can find this beer,
KevBot
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