Falcon IPA
Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery

on tap at the denver location downtown, a bold and old school sort of ipa, tastes like a fair few others, but i cant complain, the quality is there, there is contribution from all the elements, and the bitterness is a dying art it seems like these days as the hazy ones continue to take over the style. not quite copper colored but past orange, clear, and with a near inch of soapy white head with some rings marking each sip. the nose is intense, some bitter orange and grapefruit to the hops, oily and weedy, fresh enough, with some crackery and honey notes in support from the grain, near balanced even for the hop intensity, sweetness seems tame, and i get things like mango and golden raisin as this warms a little, as well as more obvious pine and even gin. the flavor follows, intense on the hops with an early onset high alpha bitterness, c type hops it seems out front, bitter pithy citrus, spruce, and resin, like they used to taste, and i like this as well warm as i do cold even though the proportions change on my palate, sweeter and more bitter at temperature. some late hop spiciness too comes in, the body stays lighter medium, and shockingly this is pretty strong, doesnt hit as strong as it is, thanks probably to the malt presence, but these can sneak up on you. ive always thought these guys dont get enough credit for their beer, and after a recent visit, i still think that. this is solid ipa in a timeless style, no complaints, and it pairs well with cheap whiskey!

 

 

A promising trifecta of Columbus, Amarillo, Simcoe. 66 IBUs, 7% abv. On tap at downtown denver location. Pours a darker hazy amber, one finger of white head settles to a thin ring, nice spray of lace down the glass. Smell: subdued citrus…orange, grapefruit; lightly piney. Taste: juicy citrus, pine, backing is a bit apple-y with a touch of caramel. Has a nice aggressive/raw component. Is as described: easy drinking IPA.