Alaskan IPA

by Matt Dodson
(Huntsville, AL)

Alaskan IPA will warm you in a cool climate

The Alaskan Brewing Company located in Juneau, AK has finally got it right when it comes to a crisp and flavorful Alaskan IPA. Out of the dozens of domestic and imported IPAs this delegate has consumed in the past, this one invokes the "Oh DAMN!" response every time!

Nothing is more refreshing than a crisp hoppy IPA on a warm summer day (awww....that rhymes). But all too often I have chosen poorly in my search for pleasing my summer palate. Perhaps it's my occasional inability to make a decision when faced with all the beers at my disposal.

But I really blame my love for trying microbrews whenever possible. And after trying a certain Anchorage microbrew's IPA, who shall remain nameless (Snow Goose's Fish On" IPA), I was appalled and severely crippled to ever try another IPA again! The thought alone of tasting that beer again makes me cringe, but that's an entirely different story.

So for the rest of my trip I stuck to what I knew I liked until I happened across Alaskan IPA. This was a real crossroads for me. At my disposal were traditional domestics, a few British ESBs, and a 22oz bottle of Alaskan IPA.

I chose the latter for reasons still unknown to me. But it was definitely the right move.

Alaskan IPA has a very intense initial hop flavor followed by a mild maltiness turning to clean citrus finish. Perfection for a satisfying summer beer! There are no odd organics involved or infused flavors. It's everything this delegate needed to save a bad experience from preventing him from drinking another IPA.

HERE'S TO YOU ALASKAN BREWING COMPANY AND YOUR MAGNIFICENT IPA! WELL DONE!