Open Itinerary
Pizza Port Solana Beach

Type: 16-oz. can
Reviewed as: American IPA
Glass: Pure Project 14-oz. Teku glass
Price: $14.99 for a 6-pack
From: University Wine & Spirits
Purchased: March 1, 2022
Consumed: March 2, 2022
Misc.: Canned on Feb. 14, 2022 at 11:36 a.m. PT

Stopped a newish place University Wine & Spirits for the first time on my way home mainly because it was convenient, but I wanted to check it out. (I probably won’t be back). Their website called it a “A simple grain bill of 2-Row allows the hop character to shine through in this bright, golden West Coast style IPA. Aromas of mango, lychee and guava lead to flavors of bright citrus and subtle berry notes thanks to the use of Citra and experimental hop HBC 586. This beer has mild bitterness and a clean, dry finish.” I’m a big fan of HBC 586 (Mango, guava, lychee, citrus, with slight sulfur and herbal notes).

Poured a medium yellow clear color with three fingers of frothy white head. Could see a few bubbles coming up from the bottom of the glass. Excellent layered foamy lacing. Very good retention. (Sight - 4.25)

Smelled Citra, grapefruit rind, lemon, pine, HBC 586, guava, mango, citrus zest, herbal, weed and grass. Much cleaner out of the can. (Smell - 3.75)

Tasted about as good as the nose. In order got Citra, bitter grapefruit peel, lemon, pine, HBC 586, guava, mango, red berry, citrus zest, herbal, weed, grass and black pepper. (Taste - 3.75)

Medium body. Oily-to-creamy texture. Average carbonation. Long, slightly bitter finish. (Feel - 4.00)

Very good overall, pretty much about what most of the Pizza Port IPAs are for me. (Overall - 3.75)

3.81 | 86 | B+

 

 

West coast all the way!

Hints of pineapple and sandalwood on the nose, a faint grassiness. The sip is drying, bitter, pithy. Orange peel and citrus blossom, along with the pineapple and sandalwood note in the back.

Can poured into a Mountain Rambler Brewery pint glass

A: Pours slightly hazy golden amber with a frothy off white head that settles to a light layer and laces very nicely.

S: Dank grassy herbal notes, tropical and stone fruit, a little citrus zest, biscuity bready malt, and a touch of sweetness.

T: Dank herbal notes, citrus, grapefruit, lemon, lime, and a touch of tangerine, tropical and stone fruit, mango, peach, apricot, passion fruit, lychee, and guava, biscuity bready malt, and a little caramel sweetness.

M: Medium body, moderate carbonation.

O: I didn't think I would like this as much as I do. Really easy drinking, West Coast soul with nice depth and balance, but also some new school flair.

Had a pint at Original Gravity in Central PHX while dining with family on 3-16-22 for $9.00.

Solid straight up WCIPA that had all the classic characteristics including a nice gold color, citrus aroma and taste with a nice pine bitterness that was 7/10 on my scale. Mouthfeel was smooth and refreshing as a good WCIPA strikes my palate. Overall a solid beer that is worthy of your try!

 

 

Canned 02/14/22. Their base WC IPA recipe is obviously clean and delicious because they just change the hop bill and bring something new. Has Citra so of course it’s tasty. Easy drinking and great price for a 6-pack of tall cans.

 

Packaged on 2/14 - consumed on 2/27 - poured from a tall boy can into my Dogfish Head shaped pint glass.

Somewhat foggy flax to maize gradient in the glass with a fist of pearling ivory foam up top. Rich, rocky lacing; superior retention.

Guava, papaya, tangerine, tangelo, and maybe some ginger in the nose - bright and tropical/"exotic."

Crisp, zesty palate entry with hints of lime, grapefruit, and some resinous/dank/minty notes as well. Dry finish with a hint of scallion and orange blossom. Very low sulfur note emerges as the beer warms. Moderate bitterness throughout - persistent suggestion of sweetness that never quite arrives. Clean malt base and neutral yeast.

Pillowy, not-quite-medium body; faintly oily with some warmth from alcohol (though no fusels).

Unique hop flavors, well showcased; fairly refreshing, and a decent value.

Voluminous off-white head about 3 fingers high in a tall tulip glass following a vigorous pour. Lasts some time, but leaves virtually no lacing. Golden color. Definitely not clear. Quite a chill haze to it. Unique smell and taste, perhaps a result of the experimental hop. I awarded a 4 in both smell and taste mainly because they were both obvious and unique. Not overly subtle although I can't do a description justice. I agree with others who noted a touch of both citrus peel and a few tropical fruits. I did not really get the berry taste claimed by the brewery description unless my imagination conjured it up by power of suggestion. If I had not read the fact that the berry should be there I never would have imagined it was there. Not very bitter for WC IPA. Clean mouthfeel with medium body.

 

 

So I’m looking at this purple can and all I can think of is Barney the Dinosaur. So does this beer go “roar”? You bet you’re sweet behind it does. And I’m not even talking about those annoying velociraptors that get way too much screen time; this one hits me like a T-Rex. Well, actually it bites me like a T-Rex because we all know about Rex’s baby arms. Anyway, I’d totally be down to sit fireside with some cave babe while sipping on this one.

Raul roars with glee!

Inviting aroma of strawberry and citrus peel. Tastes of orange and mango with a hint of papaya. Very crisp. This has that friendly touch of sweetness to start which is typical of the PP offerings, even when they finish with a whango bitterness. Somehow it is just right, malt, fruit, aromatics, just enough of a tang-- and a mellow blast of flavor that smooths out to leave you ready for another sip.

Interesting for the complex flavors, and pleasing for the big hop taste, utterly clean and murk-less. Picked up this at the supermarket, usually never see these come-and-go IPAs at such a place. From the six-pack of 16 oz cans for $14.99. Dated 01/12/22. Pours a clear golden amber brew with plenty of foam in the Ommegang chalice.