There’s something to be said for the classics. Whether it’s a pair of blue jeans, Converse All-Stars or Canucks’ fans unrealistically high expectations, some things are timeless.
When it comes to classic craft beer styles, West Coast IPAs are what I like to reach for when I want something familiar and delicious. The IPA has seen all sorts weird and wonderful mutations over the past decade, but I keep coming back to the classic West Coast style with its citrusy, resinous flavours, sturdy malt backbone, dry finish and endless pairability with food.
Good Clean Fun by Port Moody's Twin Sails Brewing is a great example of a modern West Coast IPA. A touch hazy with a creamier, chewier body than its predecessors, it undoubtedly has taken some East Coast influence and used it to its advantage.
The flavour profile is immediately familiar and with dank, resinous notes of grapefruit and pine, along with some tropical fruit. Unlike most East Coast IPAs, there’s actually some malt character here to balance out the hop bitterness, making this pretty crushable.
If you were turned off by overly bitter IPAs back in the day, I think it’s worth it to try some of the more well-balanced modern examples like Good Clean Fun.
Good Clean Fun by Twin Sails Brewing
India pale ale • 6.4 per cent ABV • 55 IBU • 473 mL tall cans
Appearance: Slightly hazy copper colour with a thick and persistent off-white head.
Aroma: Dank, citrus, stone fruit, pine.
Flavour: Über dank, citrus, pine, grapefruit, pineapple, stonefruit, assertive hop bitterness, cereal malt character.
Body/Finish: Medium bodied with a creamy mouthfeel. Finishes dry with moderate lingering hop bitterness.
Pairs with: Greasy cheeseburgers, pizza, and four or five more beers.
More beery adventures at thegrowler.ca.
