The Ultimatum Triple IPA
Out of Bounds Craft Kitchen & Biergarten

I'm going to give this beer a big boost for revitalizing my love of IPAs in general. I typically hate pale ales and IPAs, especially microbrews. While I can easily tell the difference between a Budweiser, a Coors and an MGD, I just can't usually taste much difference in the overly-hopped cascade-filled nightmares that are most micros. Don't get me wrong, I don't absolutely hate them all, but I am not a huge fan of these cascade hops and the overt bitterness with little real character other than "we have lots of hops in our beer".

Out of Bounds does a fantastic job with most of their beers. This was the one I chose to take a bottle of after trying their sampler. Why? Because it's different. Most of the micros in the area, including Sierra Nevada, pack in the cascade hops like they're going out of style, and I think that at this rate, they probably are. Out of Bounds Brewing used Denali hops in this beer and their flavor reflects this heavily. Rather than skunky and bitter, these hops have a pine taste to them, which normally I wouldn't care for, but matched with this beer, they are mild enough and give the right flavor to not mind the unique taste. Though often touted as being citrusy, this hop variety seems to scream pine to me, and I like the change.

If you're ever in the Sacramento area, I suggest giving this beer a shot. Out of the 12 I tried at the time, this was the main one I wanted to take home for another round.

 

 

 

Pours two fingers of head on a clear straw body.
The aroma is big pine resin, grapefruit and a bit of orange in the background.
The taste starts with a huge bitter, but then plays between bitter and sweet to the end, giving it great balance.
The texture is thick.
It's a big brew but maintains great flavor.