Minnesota IPA Appreciation Thread (2024)

*Not my picture. "Borrowed" from a Google search

Bought this, as I was wanted something non-hazy. Pretty good.

 

Old Growth - High Pines Brewing
My friend Tim picked this up for me when he was there, and I'm thankful he did. What flavor I get from it is good, but, it is so light on flavor. I did have it out of the fridge for a good half hour before opening, so it did warm up a bit.

https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/60689/704769/

3.36/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25
From a 750ml crawler. No date on it, but my friend picked it up Memorial Day weekend.

This beer is a nice looking dark amber color and is somewhat murky looking. There's a thick 2 finger slightly off white head. Frothy looking and has decent retention. There's a bit of lacing on the glass.
The nose is not very strong, and I left it out of the fridge a good half hour for it to warm up a bit. I get a very faint pine aroma, but it is super faint.
Taste - Well, sadly, the taste is a lot like the nose: faint. First off, what I'm getting doesn't taste bad at all. I get a very faint pine flavor. There's a slight roasted malt flavor. There is a bit of a build of bitterness on the back, but, again, faint.
Yeah, there's a bit of bubbly feeling. There's a bit of bitterness on the back. Body is decent.
This beer is a let down. What I got wasn't bad, but I got so damn little off it. Kinda sad.

 

About to try Steel Toe Carbide IPA.

Is this the simply named Steel Toe IPA they had last year? I know a few people here on BA mentioned it was pretty good.

 

I know MANY will disagree but I love how Hoops has stuck to IPA roots and not moved into the Hazy IPA world....I think Dave was quoted once something to this regard "I spent my whole life trying to make clean beer...why would I want to go backwards..."I'm paraphrasing and that's not quite the quote, but I can't find it now....

 

One of the bartenders told me they'll never make a hazy IPA because Dave doesn't like them. I thought that was cool and thanked them for it too.

I enjoy some haze every now and then. But they don't need to be everywhere.

 

I almost did it again on Saturday!

My go-to is Steel Toe Size 7, but there are so many to choose from, now, it can be a dizzying array even at the smallest of packies.

 

Yeah I agree....I can appreciate a good NE IPA but not one of my favorite styles.

 

Size 7 is my favorite Minnesota IPA for what it's worth....Used to remind me of Odell back in the day but now I don't think Odell is nearly as good..

 

Did you have the Steel Toe IPA last year? If so, does Carbide seem similar?
I thought that Steel Toe IPA was fantastic.

 

I know we aren’t supposed to like hazies anymore but Barrel Theory’s TDH Shooter McGavin is an absolute banger. DDH King Sue is dropping again soon and would like to due a compare.

 

I never was able to find it last year. Late to the party like usual for me.

But their website says,

CARBIDE - IPA (Formerly known as IPA - IPA
7% ABV A beer brewed to highlight the juicy, fruity & tropical aspects of hops.

So this more than likely is it I would think.

 

Now we're talking. I love King Sue already. And like many out there, I'm a sucker for Citra.

 

Saw this and instantly when to pick up 2 sixers. If it's the same (and SteelToe says it is), it's all I'm going to buy until it leaves. I'm waiting to hear back from the brewery to see if it's seasonal.

Just spent two weeks in the PNW and there isn't a single beer back home that comes close to what they are drinking out there. Interestingly none of it has changed. It's just really hard to find anything hazy, everything is so clean, crisp and bright. I love our MN IPAs but someone needs to start brewing some PNW IPAs. This might be the closest we have. I'll report back after the 4th and my 12 beers are gone.

 

I can lament this with you.. While not PNW, we were in LA(OC) for a week for the 2nd time in as many years back in March.. What they're doing with West Coast IPAs is amazing. Many stops to Riip, Beachwood and Green Cheek in the Huntington Beach/PCH area. I picked up extra luggage from Costco to bring a hall back lol.

We have good IPAs. But what we call West Coast IPAs, are old and outdated imo. It's just a traditional IPA. Heavy on malt, a bit bitter, maybe piney. The stuff I have out there is much more hop forward, malt takes a back seat and even at 6.5% they just drink so crisp and clean. Especially after a hot day on the beach.. Plus, the dankness of them.. Unmatched by anything here.

I really hope someone can bring that style over here, soon.





All that said, I do enjoy Steel Toes IPAs right now the most.