Fort George Beta IPA 8.0 (3-Way Test Batch)

Looks like this is pouring at one of my favorite places on the planet to drink beer ... the Fort George Taproom. Anyone try this yet?

I was down there around this time last year when I got to try last year's Three Way (and of course was blown away by it). I'll definitely be going down within the next month and can't wait to try this.

 

I believe it's Georgetown & pFriem. More psyched about pFriem than Georgetown to be honest.

 

Just came back from an overnight trip to Fort George and was hoping to try the 8.0 ... unfortunately the taproom where it's pouring is closed Monday and Tuesday. I was really wanting to ask in the taproom (the guys that work there are awesome and full of great info) about if last year's version will ever be made again. But no dice.

Glad @m4ttj0nes had the scoop though! Honestly, with as much as most of us loved last year's, I imagine brewing a follow up is a tough act to follow. Maybe the idea of doing something a little different, like a Belgian IPA, was their answer to that.

Also have to add that Buoy is brewing some great stuff in Astoria. Really digging their beer.

 

So I spent Sunday night at Fort George and got to try the Beta 8.1 and 8.2 ... both of which are test batches for this year's 3-Way. The ABV is going to be lower this year, focusing even more on drinkability. Recipe is very similar, but without Mosaic hops. The reason behind the exclusion of Mosaic is that they're brewing several other beers with Mosaic. I guess they didn't want to go crazy with Mosaic and have it in everything. The difference with 8.1 and 8.2 is that they treated the water. Both were drinking mighty fine but the water adjustments on 8.2 definitely enhanced the hop flavor.

This will definitely be another great beer. Will it set the NW on fire like the last one? I doubt it. Not because it isn't awesome, it's a great beer. I think some people will look at the ABV and automatically give it a mental downgrade. I dug the hell out of it though. It drinks so easy! IMHO it's going to be the perfect hoppy beer for summer.

Also coming from Fort George is Overdub IPA. This is a session IPA, in the tradition of Suicide Squeeze. I was lucky enough to get a sample from the tank and man the nose is a gigantic .357 Magnum to the nose of hops!

Can't wait for both of these beers!

 

No, not in the least. In fact before I even tasted it I asked what the inspiration was, half expecting to hear "Belgian IPA". But there was no mention of that and it definitely didn't taste Belgian. There was a Belgian IPA on tap in the tap room though. Maybe that got served instead of the Beta.

 

Absolutely man. That beer was so fantastic. The person I spoke with said there were no current plans to brew it again but also said he couldn't imagine that they never would.