Brew Detective: Luponic Distortion #11 | Firestone Walker

The eleventh iteration of Firestone Walker's Luponic Distortion has reached my local grocery store (the batch I brought home was brewed Dec. 7th). Early observations were obvious; it possessed good carbonation and effervescence with a long lasting foaminess, plus it's super clean and really clear. I like it!

Initially, a subtle hop-driven bitterness gives way to notes of guava and slight lemon, I did not taste pineapple as suggested by Firestone Walker. Luponic #11 is super easygoing, almost too drinkable if ya know what I'm say'n. This would be a great beer for someone who doesn't prefer IPA's but wants to try some. I was stoked to get a taste of California's central coast up in the wintry lands of Portland. Drink responsibly.

Luponic Distortion #11 | 5.9%

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PUBlication: Revolution No.004

Luponic Distortion No.004

The fourth release from Firestone Walker's Revolving Hop Series has some engaging characteristics. Firestone continues to brew with new and experimental hops, this time from South Africa. There's a lightness to this IPA. The complexities of keeping a beer clean, clear and fresh, is a challenge to say the least. I personally enjoy the interplay between the entirety of the ingredients. The lack of heavy malt and the choice of yeast make Revolution No.004 highly drinkable; this is the most session-like Luponic Distortion yet.  

Shining in the glass, No.004's clarity is pronounced, leading me to think; was this IPA brewed like a Pilsner or Lager? I really dig this installment. The brewer's tasting notes mention a white grape quality in one of the hop varietals, and I concur. Hops however, continue to lead the charge. Thanks to the Lion and the Bear for keeping craft beer interesting and attainable. Available November '16 - February '17. Enjoy responsibly. 5.9% | 59 IBU 

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PUBlication: Revolution No. 003

Firestone Walker | No. 003

The third creation from Firestone Walker's Revolving Hop Series is juicy, clean and crisp. Revolution No. 003 strongly resembles an American IPA, even if the dominant hop is from Germany. Pop the top and breathe in what an IPA is capable of. 

Two traits are pronounced as the fluid ounces leave the bottle. Visually, a pillowy head floats atop the tropical aroma. I'm under the assumption that this Luponic Distortion is filtered; the transparency is so clean. It reminds me of a rare golden nugget, magnified and made to shine under the crystal clear waters of a river. My palate was rushed with succulent fruit. Mango and lychee came to mind, as did the slightest hint of bubble gum. Both color and flavor remind me of summer. This is one of the better IPA's I've had in awhile. Revolution No. 003 is a primo example of how the wheel can be reinvented. This delectable nectar is available on draft or in the bottle through November. Drink responsibly. 5.9% | 59 IBU

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PUBlication: Revolution No. 002

Luponic Distortion No.0002

Who does number two work for? Firestone Walker this particular time. The Luponic Distortion revolving hop series has released its second offering; you can read a review of No. 001 here. They've been showcasing the process of hop selection via social media. It's amusing to see brewers snouting out a bunch of new hops.

Seven distinct hop varietals square off nicely against the pale and wheat malt. The cornucopia of hops is led by a couple of Pacific Northwest favorites. Next is a pair of new hops from Germany, followed by two additional hops from New Zealand. The latter two are said to illicit melon and tropical flowers. Last but not least is a new experimental hop that is suppose to produce notes of berry and peach. Luponic Distortion is best within 90 days of bottling. Drink these delicious marvels. Revolution No. 002 is available now, happy hunting. 5.9% | 59 IBU

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PUBlication: Revolution No. 001

Revolution Batch No. 001

Firestone Walker is at it again with their recent release of the Luponic Distortion revolving hop series. This inaugural batch is an amazing IPA brewed with experimental hops. Revolution No. 001 is a revelation; I say that because these hops are not the varietals most people are familiar with. With that said, the first taste reminded me of Pliny. I know, how can that be? These masters of craft brew have collaborated in the past. Russian River needed help when they were renovating their off-site brewing facility with new tanks and Firestone Walker was trusted with the continued production of a certain, awesome beer.

The six pack I picked up was bottled on April 6th—they recommend enjoying this brew within 90 days. This delicious IPA has a faint nose when cracked open and poured. Once in the glass, a beautiful golden clarity bubbles beneath a substantial head. The foam does retreat a bit, turning airy while still lingering. The carbonation is noticeable and adds to the palate feel. Brewed with 6 hops that were harvested in 2015, the blend can only be adequately labeled once tasted for yourself. Wheat malt partners sublimely, furthering the crisp characteristics. If you're lucky enough to spot this one-of-a-kind IPA, don't hesitate in buying it.  5.9% | 59 IBU

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PS. My review of The Legendary Boonville Beer Fest will be coming soon...

PUBlication: Union Jack vs. Duet

Two of my favorite beer producers within The Golden State are Firestone Walker and Alpine. Northern California has a bounty of amazing beer, so I thought it only fitting to compare two India Pale Ales from elsewhere in the state. Pitting Central versus Southern seemed a reasonable task. Both of these breweries epitomize quality. I personally feel as though they're comparable to one another, strongly representing west coast style IPA's. Remember, craft beer is never a contest, but rather a cooperation of like minded innovators, aiming to enrich their communities. Union Jack vs. Duet...

Duet | Alpine Beer Co.

Pouring this gem, you instantly notice the grapefruit and spice bullying your nose. Duet possesses good clarity with soft carbonation. The color resembles sunlight beaming through liquid pine sap. Initial dankness hits your palate, finishing bitter with the aforementioned spiciness. I'm amazed by the bite of this ale considering the subdued bittering units. Simcoe hops help to push the taste, while Amarillo hops mesh in harmony to create an exquisite IPA—West Coast Style. 7% | 45 IBUs

Hops: Simcoe & Amarillo

Union Jack | Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

As the bottle emptied into the glass, an off-white foam sat atop the whiskey-kettle coppery ale. Union Jack holds your nose, clean with hops. Nestled alongside the distinct citrus is a slight bitter kick. There's nice gravity without too much sweetness considering the softened blend of four different malts. Multiple stages of hopping help to define this West Coast IPA. This is the favorite. 7.5% | 70 IBUs 

Hops: Magnum (bittering), Cascade and Centennial (late kettle), Amarillo, Cascade, Centennial, Chinook, Citra & Simcoe (dry hops).

Drink responsibly,

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PUBlication: Boonville Review

Boonville became a beer mecca on May 2nd as it does every year, by hosting perhaps the best beer fest in the west. This event is pretty much a can't miss (I did miss last year due to a wedding). Each time I've attended it's been a blast—even that time I was mangled the morning after. This year I was far more adult. Agent M and I set up camp while mentally and physically priming ourselves for mass ale consumption, we did well on this front. With a good crew of friends nearby and my younger cousin, who was a first-timer, it felt familiar yet exciting. There were seven breweries that I had to hit. I only missed one, Oakshire out of Oregon. So without rambling too long I'll get into my favorites and skip writing about those that didn't live up to my hype. 

My first of the day was an Easy Jack session IPA from Firestone Walker—I'd had it before and I'll have it again. It's one of the best session IPA's out there. It's dry hopped with a global array from North America, Europe and New Zealand. 4.5% | 45-50 IBU

Next up and a few tents away was Ballast Point, father of the Sculpin. I've had plenty of their magical suds and still had never had Grapefruit Sculpin*** on draught. The nose was even more citric and fresh. I can't believe how good this beer is. It has ascended into my all-time desert-island list. Already a darling in the bottle, on tap it's even more fragrant. With, if you can believe it, a smoother finish. Hopping an ale along five stages does produce something unique—the gold-medal standard for fruit infused IPA's. 7% | 70 IBU 

Drakes puts out a great line of beer. I've found most of their stuff to be on point. One particular session of theirs I'd never tasted was the Alpha Session IPA. It had a nuttiness up front, but it was the crazy good aftertaste that encouraged me to get another one immediately. Multiple hop varietals and 2-row barley create this delicate yet fierce limited seasonal session. 3.8% | 50 IBU

Rubicon is representing the capitol city quite nicely. Having been acquainted with the Hop Sauce, I knew they could kick out an awesome IPA. At Beer Fest I wanted to dive into something new from them. I went for the Monkey Knife Fight (great name). I'll be looking to pick up the Knife Fight whenever I can. Mount Hood hops are used initially and then dry hopping occurs later with Cascade hops. 5.4%

Faction also brought the heat. As far as pale ale's go, this was one of the two best, more on that note later. Simply named the Faction Pale Ale***, this beast epitomizes the west coast influence on being hop forward. The medley of hops dictate all the action up front. The finish is so smooth. That's all I kept saying, "smooth." Considerable amounts of Simcoe, CTZ and Mosaic hops produce the profile. 5.2% | 45 IBU 

The best "Kölsch" of the day, or any day for that matter, belongs to Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. They were new to me and won me over. They two dudes manning the tent were also super friendly and knowledgeable, one of them was a brewer. The FMB 101*** is Kölsch inspired, fermented like an ale and cold-conditioned like a lager. Straight delicious. 4.8% | 20 IBU

Berryessa Brewing Company creates some damn fine beer, they were also one of my two favorite breweries of the day (the other is below). Keep in mind I was frequenting brewers that were new to me or hard to get locally. The brew master at Berryessa is a Washingtonian who set up shop in the small town of Winters. As for double IPA's, Double Tap*** was the finest I tasted in Boonville. 8.5% | 70+ IBU

Berryessa's other libation was a Session Saison, which was phenomenal. There was a mellow sweetness mingling in the foggy body, with slight notes of banana and tangy citrus. 4%

Pizza Port was one of the two breweries I wanted to taste from the most. The other shall remain nameless. As mentioned earlier, I had two favorite pale's, The Ladies Man*** was the other. An assortment of citrus fruits came through first, then a mix of floral memories. Not too bitter and good on the back end. Being on the pale ale train was rewarding. 5.7%

Pizza Port was also offering a blonde. I'm pretty sure it was Revelation, sorry for the lack of certainty. It was Belgian styled and banana was prevalent, which I like. Thanks for pouring. 8.5%

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*** denotes favorite beers | underlined denotes favorite breweries