A new year and a fresh start are upon us. This is a time for self-reflection and celebrating beginnings however the outcome of 2019 was for you. We raise a glass with hopes that the new year will be filled with adventure, opportunities, love and peace. Typically, no celebration is complete without Champagne. If you happen to be someone who’s not a fan of the bubbly French vino then you’re in luck because many craft brewers have got your back.
In addition to the brews produced specifically for the holiday season, there is a growing trend in craft beer that is replacing the $100 bottle of Champagne with a brut IPA. Brut IPAs have a mouth-watering, bone-dry, effervescent, Champagne-like characteristic. “Brut” is a familiar word amongst vintners and wine consumers. In Champagne, the word brut means very dry. So too with the brut IPA. This highly effervescent IPA tastes and looks as close to Champagne as a beer can get. So this year consider celebrating with any number of beers that are made for the holidays including the real Champagne of beers, a brut IPA. Happy new year!
Stoudts Brewing Co. (Adamstown)
Queen of Hops #1670, brut IPA (7.9% ABV). Pours light yellow with a slightly floral aroma and cracker. Tastes dry with flavors of lemon and biscuit although the flavors are a bit faint. Light-bodied beer. Finishes very dry with a bitterness.
Victory Brewing Co. (Downington)
Fizzy Bizness, brut IPA (7.2% ABV). Pours light hazy yellow and has aromas of citrus and spicy hop bitterness. Light body with a dry taste of citrus and fruity overtones. Finishes dry and citrusy with a trace of slight hop bitterness.
Two Roads Brewing Co. (Stratford, Conn.)
Dry Mighty, brut IPA (6.8% ABV). Pours a hazy light yellow color. The aroma of tropical fruit, orange and lemon are present. Medium body with flavors that matched the nose. Semi-dry finish with notes of tropical fruit.
Stone Brewing Co. (Escondido, Calif.)
Enjoy By IPA, double IPA (9.4% ABV). Pours a golden-hue with a creamy white head. Unfiltered with a hazy appearance. Aromas of peach, tropical fruit and citrus. Tastes dry with hints of alcohol warmth and a nice citrus bitterness on the back end. Like the other IPAs in this series, Stone Brewing Co says this version is brewed specifically NOT to last.
