IPA Fest at Lucky Baldwins: Day 1

As promised, I made a trip to Lucky's last night for the first day of the IPA fest. And, as expected, the folks at Lucky Baldwins brought in a vast list of IPAs and IIPAs . . . I imagine that there will be more on the way as the week goes on too.

First though, the bad news . . . no Pliny the Younger :-(.

Next, the good news . . .


Beer 1: Port Brewing Company's 3rd anniversary

Definitely not filtered, with a great golden color. Floral aroma. The taste is quite surprising . . . not as hoppy as I was expecting, far more malt though. However, it is fantastic and very drinkable!

Beer 2: Victory's ______ IPA

The blank is because for the life of me I cannot remember the name (and no, it was not Hop Wallop or Hop Devil, although they both were on tap last night as well!). This was your your standard IPA, not too hoppy, but still full of flavor. I sensed something a bit peculiar though in that the beer had a hint of sourness to it, but very slightly. And interesting touch to a superb IPA

Beer 3: Speakeasy's Big Daddy IPA

Although actually an IPA, this one is on the list as a IIPA for good reason. The Big Daddy is something special, something remarkable, something extraordinary. Its appearance is like no other IPA that I have ever seen . . . very translucent, straw like. The aroma: floral as expected. The taste: out of this world. Initially you wonder, "am I drinking an IPA or water?", but after about a second or so, the hops kick in . . . its like the Amarillo hops are fighting the warrior hops in your mouth, like a world war of hops in your mouth!! And, this lingers . . . . . for a while, making this beer a good one to sip! This beer really is a special delight. Thank you Speakeasy.

Well, that is all for now, I plan on making many more trips to the pub before the festival is over (especially since the IPAs are only $3 and the IIPAs are $4 . . . can't beat that). Keep checking back for more updates!! And lastly . . . they have Maharaja on draft . . . it is #2 on the list :-).

The bottom line: Stop reading my blog and go to Luckys!

Mammoth Brewing Company: IPA 395

Named after the major highway running north-south in the eastern realms of California, this Double IPA is a fantastic treat, especially after a long day skiing or snowboarding on the slopes of Mammoth Mountain.

Mammoth Brewing Company is a rather small brewery located in Mammoth Lakes, California at about 8,000 feet above sea level. Coming in at 8% alcohol this beer is a little low on the alcohol scale for IIPAs, but don't let that bother you, it is a fantastic beer.

The IPA 395 could probably be distinguished quite easily amongst other IIPAs for the fact that the nose is about as floral as it gets. This is due to the abundance of local wild hops used in the brewing process as well as the addition of two peculiar ingredients: desert sage and mountain juniper. As a result the taste is like no other IPA or IIPA: A bit hoppy, earthy in nature, and full bodied. I must say, it was a bold move on the brewers' parts by adding such ingredients to a IIPA, but, what a beer they concocted.

The only downside to the IPA 395 is that out side of Mammoth Lakes and the immediate US 395 corridor, it is next to impossible to find. So, if you do not live within 50 miles of Mammoth Lakes I think it is time you plan a skiing trip with the wife or husband of yours . . . . this way you get the best of both worlds: a few days on the slopes and a few evenings in the brewpub. Who could ask for more!?

The bottom line: Sage and juniper make this IIPA one-of-a-kind!