Brew Batch #77 Centennial IPA (cIPA)

Having sorted through the aforementioned hop inventory, I deduced a nice straight Centennial IPA would be warranted. So I dusted off a basic IPA recipe and when all is said and done, I'll have 6oz of hops in it. I'll be replicating the 10 minute hop stand from The Medusa batch because it seemed to bring the aroma of the hop out so well. I'm also using Pac-Man yeast (Wyeast 1764) from Rogue for the first time, we'll see if it's as bad as John Maier says it is. OG 1.064+0.001 @66F. What better beer to brew on Inauguration Day. After all, Trump will be 70 years 7 months and 7 days old tomorrow in his 1st full day as POTUS in the Hebrew calendar year 5777. True Story!

Our Tastes-- Heady Topper

Got a chance to have a beer I've heard about for a long time but unfortunately never had the opportunity to grab one without breaking the bank! It says, "Drink from the can." and yet I partook from a large tulip that accentuated the hazy medium straw color. Smell for me was a touch citrus but taste ended on a grassy, dankness that is extremely memorable. Very smooth and velvety on the mouth feel. It is not Pliny, BUT in it's own right a superbly delicious 8% 100 IBU DIPA that I would drink all day, not could but would;) Upper 90s-100 on ratings, I'm glad I'll die with a little part of this one in me.

Our Tastes-- Hoppy Poppy IPA

The great thing about friends getting married and taking honeymoons to locales you've never been is that you MAY get some great samplers out of it! As luck would have it, Junk's confirmation took him to the west coast where he laid;) this one on me. Hoppy Poppy, from Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co.  Another west coastie that delivers a typical dryness, but in this case more of a floral nose. From the poppy seed addition? I get a good but of what they call "orange oil" on this one. Not like the sweetness of pulp. A 6.5 yummy I'll probably never have again:(

2017 Hop Inventory

As we start into 2017, I did something I've never done before and inventoried my brew supplies, equipment and hops. In a monster surprise I'm sitting on 72 ounces of hops in my freezer! Including 11oz of Cascade, 6oz of Centennial and 9oz of Summit. Everything else is a smattering of NZ and Australian hops. Needless top say I need to knock out a couple of stiff IPAs and a session at least. GIPAs getting a little low an needs a cousin in the keezer;)

Our Tastes-- Terrapin HI-5 IPA

Another in the Survival Pack, that is a winner. HI-5 IPA is a light orange pouring resinous wave rider! A true dry west coast style bitterness starts and finishes. I get a slight citrus nose to it with emphasis on orange. The biscuit malt gives it a touch of sweetness at best on a nearly nonexistent malt backbone. Hopped with Zythos, Centennial, Amarillo, Simcoe and Citra, then dry-hopped with Citra, Simcoe, Amarillo and Centennial. Talk about bringing your hop profiles forward! 5.9% can crusher!

Our Tastes-- Terrapin Recreationale

Another in the Survival Kit, Recreationale is a session IPA offering from Terrapin made with Zythos, Centennial, Bravo, Amarillo with a little Galaxy dry-hop. 4.7%abv makes it an all dayer (which reminds me, I need to try Founders). A great golden straw color with what I consider a "bland" or standard hop nose. It's a bit more bitter than Session Player but since I can't readily get that beer, this one will have to be my "go-to" for now. 

Our Tastes-- Terrapin Hopsecutioner

I've been a Terrapin fan since their Golden Ale was originally Cream Ale and Spike had to mail out the T-shirts you got via six pack redemption by hand. So to see their line expand (and be bought out) to Hopsecutioner, I had to write about it. An IPA with 6 hop additions including Warrior, Centennial, Chinook, Simcoe, Amarillo and a little Cascade dry-hop, that touts a smooth 7.3%abv. A good piney resiny offering that's a bit bitter for me, but nonetheless keeps me coming back for more. I've picked up the Ultimate Survival Kit mixed pack and can't wait for the Luau Krunkles IPA!