Well, another birthday weekend is wrapping up, and it’s been a pretty good one. Last night, we hit the Oktoberfest celebration at Destihl Beer Hall, and I spent a good chunk of today tackling some projects around the house and in the yard. Now that the dust is settling, I’m finally kicking back in front of the TV, catching up on some computer work, and decided it was the perfect time to crack open a beer I’ve been looking forward to.
On top of that, I’m also deep in a little experiment right now, trying to figure out how to make these beer reviews go a bit quicker with some help from ChatGPT. So, part of the reason I’m diving into this particular brew tonight is to test out this new, streamlined approach. Efficiency, folks, that’s the name of the game when you’ve got a blog to run and life happening all around you!
The Story Behind the Brew: Mission Brewing’s Pipe Dreams IPA
This beer has been waiting in my beer fridge since a trip San Diego a couple months ago (which I took to take a class on the Certified Information Security Manager, or CISM exam, which I passed a couple weeks ago now). I brought back a mixed 12-pack of IPAs from Mission Brewing, and the Pipe Dreams IPA, was part of the haul. I actually stopped by Mission Brewing on a previous San Diego trip in 2019 and enjoyed their beers. Their quality and unique flavors definitely stuck with me, making it a must-grab when I saw their mixed pack. It’s a brewery that ties into the city’s deep missionary history, and you can almost feel that heritage in every sip.
Mission Brewing Pipe Dreams IPA Review
Location & Numbers:
- Poured From: Can
- Glassware: Teku style pint glass (at home in Bloomington, IL), channeling all those vibrant hop aromas right to my nose with every sip.
- ABV: 7.2%
- Calories: Approximately 220
Appearance & Aroma:
Straight out of the can, this IPA pours a bright yellow, with a slight haze to it. When poured into the glass, it had a little, bright white head that was thicker around the edge of the glass. As I enjoyed it, it left some decent lacing on the glass, a good sign of a well-crafted brew. The aroma is primarily dank, but it’s beautifully backed by a good amount of citrusy hop notes that really brighten things up.
Taste & Feel:
The body on this one was surprisingly light for a beer clocking in at 7.2% ABV, which I appreciated. The mouthfeel was wonderfully crisp, thanks to both the lively carbonation and a hop crispness. Up front, the flavor was a bit sharp with big hoppy lemony-citrus and distinct piney notes. As it moved through the middle, that bright hoppiness softened a bit, giving way to some dank, hoppy juiciness. The finish brought the dankness up, adding more piney elements to a bitter conclusion that was a fantastic mix of lemony-citrus, pine, and those deep dank hop flavors. Those bitter notes lingered on my palate for a good minute or two in the aftertaste, a pleasant reminder of the IPA.
Food Pairing Suggestions
With all those bright lemony-citrus flavors, I can’t help but think this IPA would be absolutely fantastic with some fresh fish tacos. It would complement the taste of the tacos perfectly, like a wedge of lemon or lime. Alternatively, if you’re looking to tame some heat, this beer would be a great contrast to help kill the spice of some truly authentic, spicy Mexican food.
Overall Impression: A Taste of San Diego
This beer truly transported me back to San Diego. The lemony-citrus notes evoked the tropical climate and perfectly complemented the memory of the incredible fish tacos I enjoyed there. The dankness? Well, that brought back the unmistakable aroma of, shall we say, certain other plants I occasionally smelled walking around town. And the pine? It was like the whispers of the trees in the coastal wind. It’s clear why this is called Pipe Dreams since it’s designed to be a liquid reminder for surfers of their time catching waves in San Diego.
It’s a fairly complex IPA, with a really engaging mix of hop flavors that keeps your palate interested. I particularly enjoyed its brightness and crispness, making it an ideal choice for a sunny day on the beach, or even just dreaming of one from my backyard. Overall, this is an excellent beer, and if you get a chance to grab a Mission Brewing Pipe Dreams IPA, don’t hesitate!
My Rating: 
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