Taking advantage of a sweet Alaska Airlines promotion*, my wife, son and I embarked on a long weekend to Northern California this weekend, and I’m writing this overlooking Tomales Bay near Pt. Reyes Station, California. We flew into Santa Rosa, which necessitated a stop yesterday at Russian River’s brew pub, where we had some exceptional pizza and a very generous tasting tray. Despite the tray’s girth, I wanted to take some for the road, and their elegant 2-liter growler** provided the means. After sampling and comparing Pliny the Elder, Blind Pig, Happy Hops and the more plainly named “IPA,” we went with simple. It’s a nice hoppy IPA with just enough sweetness to keep you reaching for your glass, instead of the tongue scraper. And paired with cheeses picked up from nearby Cowgirl Creamery and this gorgeous view? It’s perfect.
Beer Name: IPA
Brewer: Russian River Brewing
Price: $20 (including new growler)
Sampled: March 19, 2010
Rating: 4/5
Notes: Very clean IPA with pleasant, but quite bitter hops aftertaste. There is some orange citrus, but hard to pick up over bitterness. Very crisp and light.
ABV: 6.75% abv
IBU: N/A
OG N/A
TG N/A
Serving Type: Growler.
* I have no affiliation with the airline, other than being a new member, and proud owner of a free roundtrip ticket.
** The designer in me is choosing to ignore the AWFUL Comic Sans font used on parts of the silkscreened bottle, and instead focus on the bottle’s novel shape. Vinnie, if you’re listening, please hire a better graphic designer next time whose work complements, rather than detracts from, the great contents!
One Comment on “78: Russian River IPA”
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Oh man, I know what you mean! Their beers are great, but I have such a hard time getting past the comic sans. There’s a bottle of Damnation in my fridge that haunts me every time I’m looking for a beer to drink. That growler is really cool though.
Posted on April 4, 2010 at 2:48 PM.