Iowa IPA
Firetrucker Brewery

Picked this up a few months back at the Hy-Vee in Osceola, Iowa. Loved a beer that featured the Hawkeye State and yes, I love it and the people there. That's about as far as this beer went as the taste was from the get-go. Indeed, I couldn't warm up to this even after it fully warmed up...

This had a bright, copper hue to it and a tall, rocky head that took quite a while to settle down. A nice amount of lacing was left behind as it was thick and deep in the form of big spots. Loads of aged pear, melon, and leather were in the nose as blueberry dankness, fruit patch, deep citrus, and odd floral notes came in on the palate. For some reason, this just different, but not in an ideal way. An underlying hint of urine and swamp water grew on me as I sipped this with the end result being that I needed a chaser of water to fully get this down.

Thankfully, the amount of alcohol in this wasn't a deterrent as I barely felt it. Born on 10/25 of last year, only a few tiny bits of dark sediment could be seen in the liquid as this held up well. Lots of Iowa references were on the can but this state deserves a better flagship IPA that's more tasty and accessible. Worth a go once if you're into label collecting like I am!

 

On Tap at brewery. Pours a semi hazy golden orange color with a fresh white head. Smell is fruity and tropical . Taste has citrus pale malts melon and berries . Mouth feel has some pine bitterness otherwise a sweet juicy finish.

 

Smells of hops definitely came through when I popped the can open. Copper color, big head that last a while. Lacing on the glass. Bitterness is up front and center, not a shocker since this is an IPA. It is close to be a bit too much for my preference but I still enjoy it.

 

Day 1 of Iowa beer tent advent box. Canned 10/7/21, poured into pint glass. Clear copper color, tight foam with superb retention. Practically perfect appearance. Light, Cascade hops dominant aroma. Flavor is classic old school hops and bitterness. Mouthfeel is a tad thin. Overall, enjoyable. Very similar to the Sierra Nevada Pale Ale I had earlier tonight, but with the bitterness and hops dialed up. Mouthfeel maybe is dialed down to a bit thinner though. Enjoyable, but needs some work to be more cohesive.