Rubicon Brewing IPA

by James III
(Beer Delegate, CA, USA)

Rubicon Brewing IPA (6.5% ABV)
Rubicon Brewing, CA, USA

Every once in a long while, an IPA comes a knocking on your palate that completely redefines your expectation of what an IPA should be, what an IPA could be. From the first sip until the point where drinking this elixir of the gods has finally wrested consciousness from your control, you rejoice in good fortune and spread joy all around you.

Don't let my foreshadowing fool you; Rubicon's flagship ale presents an utterly unremarkable taste experience. One of the most important parts of an IPA is the interplay of the hops and the sugar; this sinking ship has little of either.

While the Cascade and Chinook hops start strong, they quickly fade into but a memory leaving you wondering: "Did I just drink beer, or beer-infused water?"

That being said, its greatest weakness can become its strongest asset if, and only if, you are drinking to get drunk. Its weak taste makes it great for chugging, and with an alcohol content of 6.5% ABV, you won't have to chug much.

In review, the IPA presents itself as a fine choice if you are ordering pitchers and pitchers of the stuff and you do not really care about enjoying a deliciously wonderful and frosty brew.

But not a fine choice if you are looking for a satisfying beer pairing to accompany one of Rubicon's sandwiches.