Tiki's California Gold
Ham's Restaurant & Brewhouse

A lovely day up in the mountains that let me try a huge sample of some new NC locals. Always thrilled when a day works out like this one did.

This was one insane IPA. Out of all the things I tried in the past week, this one sticks out to me more then any other. Simply an amazing IPA with a huge floral bouquet. Looks great from the first pour as it comes into the glass a nice dark amber color with a nice inch cap of white that settles down on the top of the glass. Aroma is thick, heavy, rich grapefruit dominates the air and leaves just about everything else in its wake. Just ripe, dripping, enormous aroma. Each sip was dripping with hop oils, thick flavor of deep citrus mixing with a huge bitter and dry finish, this would hold its own with the best of the west coast offerings. Simply sublime.

One of the finest local IPA's I have ever come across. If it were bottled I would do all I could to get more people to notice this one, really just wonderfully and damn near perfectly done. Highlight of the day for me.

Draft arrives with a glowing brushed copper body, clear as a bell, capped with grainy white foam that retains well and leaves thin patches of lacing on the glass.

The smell is toasty pale malt with a whiff of citrusy hops.

The taste of the drink is very similar to the nose... citrusy hops, toasty caramel malt backbone. Simple, clean, and tasty.

Medium-bodied with soft carbonation, Ham's latest brew is smooth, tasty, and highly drinkable.