Firestone Union Jack IPA

Firestone makes some pretty respectable beers, so I was expecting something big from this IPA.  At 7.5% abv it is right up there with some big hop brews.

The beer poured a dark golden brown with a good head.  The aroma was pretty malty, which was a turn off for me.  The taste was pretty disappointing with way too much malt for an IPA.  It was an ok beer, but if the bottle didn't say IPA I would have guessed it was something else.

If you like a good malt flavor, you should try this, but if you want big hops don't bother.

I give it 3 out of 5 hops.

Beer Republic XP Pale Ale

The XP Pale Ale from Beer Republic was pretty dreadful.  I have had some of their beer in the past and it was usually pretty good, but this beer really left me wanting more.

It was a low alcohol pale ale (5.5%), so I wasn't expecting too much hops, but I still over estimated things.  This beer was like drinking a Miller Lite.  It had very little taste going on.

I can't recommend trying this beer.

I give it 1.5 out of 5 hops.

Rogue Dead Guy Ale

This beer is from Rogue Ales in  Oregon.  It has a 6.5% alcohol so it isn't too strong and is very drinkable.

Overall this beer we quite nice.  Not as hoppy as I typically like my beer, but it was very nice.

It had a slight sweetness to it that came through in the aroma as well as the taste, with only a moderate bitter after taste.

This is definitely worth trying.

I give it 4 out of 5 hops.

Port Brewing Wipe Out IPA

This is a local brewery that is getting a great reputation that it deserves.  I have had this beer on tap and it is very good, but out of the bottle it was only average.

If you have a chance to get it on tap you should try it, but out of the bottle it is only ok.

I give it 3.5 out of 5 hops (on tap it is 4.5).

Lagunitas IPA

The Lagunitas IPA is  true IPA.  It was a bit low in alcohol at 6.5%, so I didn't expect too much from it, but I was surprised.

This IPA was pretty hoppy for only a 6.5% ABV, and it was excellent.  It poured a light golden color and had good hop aroma, with a medium fizz.

I give it 4.5 out of 5 hops!  You should try it.

Karl Strauss 23rd Anniversary Ale

Not sure what to say about this beer, expect yuk.  I didn't care for it at all.  If I wanted to drink bourbon I would just buy that.

I don't like Karl Strauss beers much anyway, but this was atrocious.  Stay away.

I give it 1 out of 5 hops.

Ballast Point Sculpin IPA

I have had this beer on draft in the past it it was excellent, and the bottle didn't disappoint either.  Although it was better on tap it was still very good out of the bottle.

It pours a nice golden and has a distinct hop aroma that is mildly sweet.

I give it 4.5 out of 5 hops!

Anderson Valley Imperial IPA

This Imperial IPA had a strong malt tone in both aroma and taste, which was a put off for me.  The sweetness of the malt drowned out the hops and as a result it was a pretty muted IPA in my opinion.  Alcohol content was pretty high at 8.5%.

I give it 2.5 out of 5 hops!