Rejoice beer fans! You hop heads, you lovers of lupulin. No longer must your India Ales be bound to the confines of “pale”. You may now enjoy the bitter bliss in brews ranging from pale to black, with many in between. In recent years the craft beer world has been experiencing a redefinition of what an India Pale Ale is. The hang up for some is on the crucial descriptor “pale”. Brewers have handled this in varied ways. Some have simply done away with the pesky word, instead substituting their own adjective, giving us beers such as Dogfish Head’s “Indian Brown Ale” or Bootlegger’s “India Red Ale”. Others have embraced contradiction and put out beers labeled black IPA (A.K.A. cascadian dark ale, a nod to the Pacific Northwest that claims to be the styles originator).

Green Flash Brewing Company has taken the latter route with their “Hop Head Red” , Red India Pale Ale.

Just the Facts:

Brewery: Green Flash Brewing Co.

Place of Origin: San Diego,CA



BJCP Style Category: 14.b. American IPA (or 23. Specialty Beer)

ABV: 7.0%

Bottle Sizes: 12 Oz. 22 Oz.

Recommended Serving Temperature: Cellar Temperature (50-55°F)



First Impression:

Examining the bottle one of the things that drew my attention was the description of the brew contained within. Beyond the name and the style, the brewer describes the experience of enjoying the beer from beginning to end. As a homebrewer myself i particularly liked that the hop varieties used to achieve the aroma and flavor were explained.

The Pour:

This beer pours a beautiful orange-red color, with no noticeable haze. Ample quantities of a rocky cream colored head from but quickly give way to a reasonable layer capping the brew. There is some slight effervescence that persists throughout.

Aroma:

When the bottle is first opened a great resinous, almost piney, hop aroma greets you. over time this aroma gives way to a more mellow floral and citrus hop aroma combined with a malty aroma generally not perceptible in traditional West Coast IPAs.

The Taste:

The story of this beer is one of balance. I took my first sip expecting the familiar bitter hop bite associated with India Pale Ales. However, while this beer sports a hefty hop bill, the bitterness aspect is downplayed. The hops are thus allowed to support the beer on a more subtle level. The other half to this balancing act is the malt character, the malty yin to the hoppy yang. Continuing to divert from tradition this beer is not nearly as dry as a typical IPA, it has a sweeter taste, and heavier body and mouthfeel making it more akin to an imperial IPA. These differences are primarily due to the increased use of specialty grains compared to base pale malts.



Food Pairing:

While one would traditionally pair IPAs with a burger and fries, or use it to accentuate the heat of a spicy curry. This beer drinks more like an imperial (or double) IPA, and as such can stand up to richer, heavier foods. I have seen recommendations of enjoying this beer alongside a slice of carrot cake with a rich cream cheese frosting.

I enjoyed the pleasant surprise that this beer presented. It provides a good balance of malt and hops. However, at 7% ABV this beer does not lend itself terribly well to being a session beer. I would recommend having a bottle or two of Hop Head Red, and then evaluating a switch to a more sustainable choice.

Other “Other than pale” India Ales to try:

Dogfish Head – Indian Brown Ale



Deschutes – Hop in the Dark

Next week on “The Weekly Pint”: The Czar from Avery Brewing Company





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