Week of 1.26.2009 - Gordon Ale, Green Flash Imperial IPA, &

I found some winners this week. Forget beer of the week... I tried three new one this week. You gotta love Bevmo.... I can't get out of there in no less than 30 minutes. So much I want to try and so little time... alcohol tolerance. One good strong 22oz IPA and I'm feeling it.


Beer #1. Oskar Blues Gordon Ale
This week. I hit Bevmo and picked up another beer from Oskar Blues Brewery bases on GZ's recommendation. I got 4 pack for Gordon Ale. It was kind of steep... $10 for 4 beers... but mix a between an Imperial Red and a Double IPA with 8.7% abv is worth the loot. I really liked this beer and it's worth the 10 bucks. I love cans... but wish it came in a sixer.

ABV: 8.7%
IBU’s: 85

Gordon is a hybrid version of strong ale, somewhere between an Imperial Red and a Double IPA. We make it with six different malts and three types of hops, then dry-hop it with a mutha lode of Amarillo hops. It is 8.7% alcohol by volume, and has 85 International Bittering Units.

Beer #2. Green Flash Imperial IPA
I have had this beer sitting in my "beer fridge" for over a week now. Ryan suggested this one and I was waiting for a good time to drink it. So after my long ride saturday and taking my bike to the shop I cracked this one open. I will say this... everything I have had from Green Flash so far (west coast IPA, hop head red) has been awesome but this one was the best. I love San Diego style IPA's (very hoppy) and this one didn't disappoint. Right up there with anything I have ever had.

ABV: 9.4%
IBU’s: 101

San Diego-style IPA, as it has come to be known by many, is super-hoppy, high gravity, yet highly quaffable ale. Our Imperial IPA is created in this new tradition with intense hop flavors and aromas from a unique blend of Summit and Nugget hops. It's all about the hops!

Beer #3. Alesmith IPA
Last but definitely not least I tried another IPA from a local San Diego brewery that I have never had in the past. What can I say... another solid San Diego-style IPA. Just like it says on the bottle:
It's
Pretty
Awesome

that's IPA for any of you slow folks out there.

ABV: 7.75%

Deep golden to light amber color, and a nice off-white head, with good retention when properly served. Starts off with pleasantly strong hop flavors, balanced by a firm malt backdrop, then fades to a dry finish with a lingering hoppiness.

Week of 1.19.2009 - Dale's Pale Ale + Racer 5 IPA

Ok... this week is a 2 for 1 and both of these beers I have had before. First up is a beer from the Oskar Blues brewery in Lyons, CO: Dale's Pale Ale.

The first time I had a Dale's Pale Ale was at the 24 Hours in Old Pueblo last year. They were sponsoring a team at the race and giving out free beer at their RV. I love companies that support mountain biking and especially one's that give away free beer! I also like the fact that it comes in a can... always colder. This is a good everyday beer. Not to hoppy and goes down easy. A perfect beer to knock back while working on the bikes or cleaning the garage... at least that's what I did.

Now here's the bonus beer. Bear Republic's Racer 5 IPA.

I have been into this beer for quite some time and actually had a chance to go to their Brewpub last summer when we were in Sonoma for Vineman. This is just one of the those beers that you gotta get in a 22oz bottle. 12oz just wont' do it.