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It’s Thanksgiving evening and we’re about to start on our second helping of turkey and stuffing. We’ve already talked about the things we’re thankful for this year – family, kids, and more. Since we’ve moved onto the second helping, here’s my second helping of what I’m thankful for this year – my Travel Oregon Brewmaster Cuisinternship at Full Sail Brewing in Hood River, Oregon. It was an incredible time and an experience that made my year. I’ve been waiting to review this special beer – which I will admit I’m completely biased – as it is THE beer I helped brew when I assisted on the brew deck at Full Sail.
When I poured it, it was fairly clear and golden in color. The head was soapy white and it actually grew as it sat while I wrote the first part of this review. There was plenty of carbonation in it as there were a lot of bubbles coming up within it. The aroma was a very nice piney hop smell.
It was light bodied, crisp and very drinkable. There was a slight bit of carbonation bite up front, with a nice piney, and slightly earthy hop flavor in the middle. It finished with a bright, crisp, light piney hop flavor which lasted for a little bit. I really like the hop flavor – nice and strong, lightly pine with a little bit of earthiness and a hint of floralness.
I tried to have this with my turkey, but the hop bitterness and the turkey just didn’t go well together. After tasting it for a bit, I think this hop-forward IPA is meant to be enjoyed on its own without any food.
I have fond memories of helping to dump a few hundred pounds of hops into the end of the boil for this beer. I really enjoyed this beer, but I’m certain that part of that is the same reason I enjoy my homebrew – because, not only do I know the hard work and care that went into it, but there’s the satisfaction that I helped to create this with my hands. Despite my bias, I did find it to be a very nice, very hoppy IPA that was quite drinkable.
My Rating: 
Reader Ratings[five-star-rating]
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