California West Coast IPA Thread (2022)

Thank you to the gift of state wide shipping; just landed my first ever mix case of Green Cheek! It Just Works IPA is outrageous, glad I got 2-4pk in this mixed case because this is a top tier IPA.

 

Just got my order from Green Cheek (3 different beers) delivered today. Haven't opened up the "It Just Works" yet but looking forward to it. Can't go wrong with Green Cheek.

 

Absolutely.

 

Hadn't had Like Riding a Bike from Urban Roots in a while. What a damn fine beer. Huge tangerine notes with a touch of pineapple. Super bright and a joy to drink

 

When I lived in Tehachapi I'd hit Lengthwise...for the guest taps.

 

I've seen Lengthwise for some time via tw hb, ball canned even, old.

So, I've never had Lengthwise, I was always curious, when years ago the head brewer that made Citra a sensation, left, went to Lengthwise. That's right, the former Kern River head brewer.

Now I've still never had Citra, but I did have JO, others in their prime, when that hombre left, so did the flavor.

Nonetheless, Kern River has a special place in my heart, I've had working vacations, stayed at the hotel next door, gone river rafting, over the years I show the love, get some back

 

This reminds me of what an old friend used to say about a local brewery that features a full bar

Oh ya, X brewery, that's a great place to get a cocktail.

 

Now y'all got me thinking of what I think of Green Cheek now.........the guest taps

 

That younger….

 

There was a guy named Kyle Smith who was once the head brewer at KRBC along with Eric. They put out some amazing beers back in the day. JO was the perfect IPA and Citra was gold. Kyle left went down to Bakersfield and became the head brewer for Lengthwise. Kern River had a minor bump in the road after Kyle left. But it seems like they are on track and better than ever. They have been putting out some world class beers. Lengthwise? Not so sure. I’m not sure if Kyle is still with Lengthwise? I thought I heard he moved on to another brewery in Bakersfield. Did I mention Class V, Dirty Hippie, Hop Nookie or Class X?

 

He started Great Change. Was in there right before the pandemic, so its been a couple years.

 

Thx. Great brewer.

 

Went to the brewery last week and didn't get any pliny bottles, but I did get some cans of the new one, Mosaic Stack, and holy fuck is it good. Think it may have been dated 2/4 as well.

 

Now that you say this a buddy of mine whos new to beer and all about IPA hype grabbed a bottle per my recommendation.
Short story: i went with him once to grab PtE and he sat on it for 2 weeks cuz he got busy and when he finally drank it he didn't enjoy it much
The second time we grabbed the 2/4/22 ones which he drank at less than a week old and he said he enjoyed the first one more.
I thought that was strange but didn't think much of it , I'm no fan of Russian River so didn't care to sway his opinion.
Maybe it is a shit batch

 

Modern Clarity from Burgeon collab with Altamont and Boneyard, is excellent crisp clean light body and delicious.

 

Now that my order is safely in, haha, I'll let everyone know that DDH Pliny and Blind Pig mixed packs are up on RR site for shipping. Also sold as separate 16pks.

https://www.shop.russianriverbrewing.com/collections/bottles-cans

 

I hope this isn’t a one time deal on the Pig cans. Maybe a ddh BP in the future?