Does Anybody Like Brut IPA?

The couple I have tried haven't wowed me

 

Haven't had one yet. Much as I would like to see a new trend in IPAs to ease the NEIPA insanity, and much as love dry IPAs, I afraid another low-bitterness sub-style is not for me. I like a firm bitterness to my IPAs.

 

Unless you've had a Brut IPA with a hand from its creator (Kim Sturdavant/Social Kitchen & Brewery), I don't think you've really tried a Brut IPA.

It's just like hazy IPAs. Although many breweries have tried to make them, they only started getting decent after a few years of attempts.

 

Just to double check my understanding of what you are posting here: you are of the opinion that it will take years of brewing before a given brewery will properly brew a Brut IPA?

Cheers!

 

I'm saying that someone even in 2016/17 could try their first "NEIPA", not like it, and basically make a conclusion about the entire (sub-)style. I think it's only 2018 where I feel like a lot of CA breweries (ie local to me) are making NEIPA close-to / as high quality as the respected NEIPA makers in the East. Many of those same breweries made poor "NEIPA" attempts in years prior.

In 2018, with Brut IPAs being actually quite rare, one could try one and conclude they're not into the style, when actually brewers are still trying to figure it out. This is one example where living in San Francisco actually helps, as other parts of the country are trying to emulate / do their spin on a Brut IPA. I bet a lot of those brewers making it have never actually tried one, because surprise! Brut IPAs are pretty rare even here.

 

I have not had the pleasure of drinking a Brut IPA from Social Kitchen & Brewery. I take it you are a fan of the Brut IPA beers they brew? How would you rate them on the scale of Good – Very Good – Excellent?

Is Social Kitchen & Brewery the functional equivalent of Trillium, Tree House,.. in the realm of Brut IPA vs. Juicy/Hazy IPA?

Cheers!

 

Social Kitchen & Brewery is this small little brewpub in a residential area of San Francisco, so no one really makes it a destination. The brewmaster, Kim Sturdavant, is famous because he's one of the select few Master Cicerones out there. (To be fair, I'm not sure it translates to their beers as I don't find their beers better than other old-school microbreweries like 21st Amendment, etc. They're not new-school like Cellarmaker, Fieldwork, Alvarado, Sante Adairius. They don't attract hipsters or hazebros.)

That being said, I've enjoyed the Brut IPAs that Social has done by themselves (Puttin' on a Spritz, which will likely be on tap if you go) and the ones they've collaborated with other breweries on (Caviar Dreams from 7 Stills/Social, Three Cheers from Temescal/Cellarmaker/Social).

But they're not exciting beers. I like them as a dry, refreshing beer that's easy drinking despite the slightly higher ABV vs. other crushable beers. I like that because they minimize the malt, the beers focus on a hop expression, that's very different and far more subtle than NEIPA. I don't think it's a style that will have mass-appeal on BA because the flavors are not at all aggressive. But if you're into the subtlety of blonds and Pilsners, there's a lot to like.

More info from local Bay Area news: https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/07...w-brut-ipa-is-making-waves-in-the-beer-world/

 

I had one from a local brewery. Since it's just one I don't have a frame of reference so I can't say I don't like any of them, but if they are all like this one, then it's a category I'll let pass me by. It was a pretty austere style of IPA - had lager-like malty body, pretty acidic, and sharp. I guess it's the opposite style of a hazebro, which is creamy, rich, very pleasing. So, when I drink beer, I prefer ones that are super tasty and easy to drink and intense, but not the austere style, which is generally while I much prefer ales over lagers.

 

I do indeed hear what you are saying here.

That very much sounds like a beer I personally would enjoy drinking. My limited experience with beers labeled as being Brut IPA has not been too enjoyable so far. I hope to someday drink a beer akin to Puttin' on a Spritz.

I enjoy drinking Juicy/Hazy IPAs but frankly these sorts of beers tend to be 'one and done' for me - I enjoy drinking the one beer but when I am done I have little desire to drink a second. I highly suspect that if I could find a 'well brewed' Brut IPA that is a beer I would enjoy drinking the one and when I was finished would enjoy a second.

Cheers!

@BillManley @SierraTerence @brianhink @JValm @SixpointBrewmaster @SixpointMikey @RobH

 

Industrial Arts' take on this was one of the best beers I had this year. Brown's version was terrific. The one I had from Fair State was good -- just not as much so as the other two.

Anyhow, in capable hands, its for sure a style with merit. But, as with any style, plenty will jump on the train without a deft enough hand to make it special.

 

Brut IPA is like an AAL of IPAs.

 

I've only had Boulevard's. Well made beer and all of that. Based off of that one I prefer a traditional or NEIPA.

 

…..wat

 

Simply put, I have not been a fan of any that I have tried.

 

I've had several (5-6) and I'm indifferent. They tend to finish super clean and dry, almost to a fault. I'm not sure I actually want that characteristic with a hoppy beer. It's almost like an IPL that has esters that show up then disappear.
I'm curious if the style will have long-term viability or if it'll be the next IPA trend (White IPA, Black, IPA, Belgian IPA, etc.) that people lose interest in.

 

I've tried 3 different examples by good brewers and I am not eager to seek out the style further.

 

I finally found one here: Surly Liquid Stardust. I thought it was exceptional. I love the fruity hop character without the sweetness, the effervescence, and the exquisitely dry finish. I'll try every one of these I can get my hands on. YMMV.

 

Haven’t had many. So far I could leave it. Like everything else, some breweries are making ones that taste good and some clearly have no idea WTF they are doing but just making something called “Brut IPA” to jump on the train.

Don’t really see it catching on and not something I need in my life.

 

I’ve had 3, including the Stone. It ain’t for me. I described it to my brother as a “hop la croix.” Like I said, it ain’t for me

 

I suspect that this has been the situation for me (so far).

Cheers!