Ahopalypse Now IPA
Red Bell Brewery & Pub

Depending on who brewed it, this could have been a great beer, or trash. There have been so many different variations.... at least Jim Cancro's original version was good. And the last one I tried... possibly the very last version of it...? was pretty decent. It was a typical IPA. All American malt. Roughly 85 % 2-row and 15% 40/60 crystal blend from Briess. Tomahawk for bittering; Cascades for flavor; Cascades and Chinook for aroma. 38 IBU's. Fuller's yeast. Unfiltered.

This beer was a lot better than I expected from Red Bell. The beer came with a great head with a great lacing throughout. The color is darker than pretty much any IPA I've encountered. A little bit of malt mixed in with hops in the taste. No malt taste to begin with, but once the beer warms up, the beer achieves a nice balance. Nothing spectacular. But nice. Good addition for the Wachovia Center. I'm not sure how many others would be drinking IPAs at the Wachovia Center, so I'm wondering if freshness could possibly be an issue.

Hazy almost ruby color. with a rich tan sheen and head. Lots of carbonation in the glass. Sweetish malt nose with hints of bitterness. Big upfront hop bitterness in the taste with a fruity (sour apple) finish. Nice full body and smooth mouth. This beer was still touted at the brew pub as a Red Bell beer but all other beers were under the Yards Label. I assume Yards is brewing this now at the brew pub in the FU Center. This was a solid IPA and one of the better selections at Center Brew Pub. They also now have Yards Love Stout on tap as well.