El Zapote IPA
El Zapote Brewing Company

 

I love IPAs, but this one is way too bitter. However, it has potential and a great price. Slick……..

 

I was just visiting Costa Rica for a couple weeks, where I learned firsthand how spoiled we Americans are with so much great beer. All of the decent IPAs I had were something like this: amber malt base, 6-6.5% ABV, and just enough hops to qualify as an American Pale Ale about 10 years ago. Found this one at the airport in Guatemala during my layover. Way pricer than the liquor, considering this bottle was $4, but you could buy a liter of Tequila for $25.

L: I dig the frog, but the bottle art is not particularly impressive. The body glows a nice cherry amber, and the foamy head is a nice khaki color, though it doesn't leave much lacing at all.

S: It doesn't measure up to a Cali IPA, but I find it very nice. I get a fruity aroma suggesting orange, papaya, mango, lime and basil. Caramel and a hint of yeasty sourdough bread linger underneath.

T: A super plain flavor profile compared to what I usually enjoy. Still, enough to bring a little smile to my face in the hop-devoid beaches of Central America. Sourdough bread and wheat bran are the predominant flavors, with orange and basil tickling the palate here and there. The bitterness is notable, but mild and short-lived.

F: Like any decent amber ale, but a little drier. Not at all what I'd hope for from an IPA.

O: Someone needs to show Guatemala what "lupulada" means...

A69