2X Ultra IPA

In Miami, there is a restaurant called Titanic, which is also a bar and brewery. They have a couple of seasonal brews alongside their regular offerings, as well as what they call "guest beers" or something like that, basically beers that they didn't brew on the premises but that are supposed to be pretty awesome. Their meatloaf is also a winning item, made in the typical fashion but with the addition of chorizo to give it a kick. But I digress.

One of their seasonal beers, brewed in house, is the 2X Ultra IPA. I gather that it is only for a limited time, so if you are in the area, hurry up and get some. Eric says it is the fruitiest IPA ever, with a sweetness and a mango flavor that gave him pause. It is also very hoppy, with malts you can taste but that are nonetheless overpowered as expected by the hops. As the resident IPA lover, he enjoyed it very much and would drink it again. Be warned: it has a high alcohol content, which I think was in the vicinity of double digits but I cannot recall and it is not posted anywhere that I can find.

Just the facts, ma'am: 2X Ultra IPA, Titanic Brewery, Florida, American Double / Imperial IPA, high alcohol content.

Anderson Valley Hop Ottin' IPA

The name of this beer intrigued me because, well, I had no clue what it meant. Namely the "Ottin'" bit, which I kept reading as "otter" because let's face it, otters are adorable. And so it was that I found myself on the website of the Anderson Valley Brewing Company, which is located in a place called Boonville, which has its own language. Boonville is in California, which as we know is practically a foreign country, so I was not entirely surprised. But I was amused that the language, called Boontling, was allegedly created "to use in their private conversations, both for their own amusement, and to confound anyone who might overhear them harpin’ (talking). They created new words as they went, trying to shark (stump) their companions." My new goal in life is to use this language whenever possible. I will undertake its study post-hate.

But you are perhaps wondering about the beer itself. I am pleased to report that it was well-received. A dark amber color, it was hoppy as it should be, with some floral undertones that gave it an almost tea-like taste according to Alex. It has a medium body for an IPA and is about as bitter as you would expect. The drinkers compared it to a Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA but more brutal, though not quite at the level of a 90 Minute. They very much enjoyed it and would definitely drink it again and seek it out.

And if you were wondering, "Hop Ottin'" means "hard working hops" in Boontling. Grab some chiggrul and this steinber at a tidrik and you're in for some bahl hornin'. Just nee boarch the heelch horn and moshe or you'll end up at the shoveltooth.

Just the facts, ma'am: Hop Ottin' IPA, Anderson Valley Brewing Company, California, American IPA, 7.0% alcohol by volume, 80 IBU.

Victory HopDevil

Once upon a time, there was a beer festival in Fort Lauderdale. And lo, many new beers were tried that day, but the brewery that amazed above all others was, fittingly enough, Victory Brewing Company. Alas, their beers were not available anywhere for the sad drinkers to enjoy again, or at least to test to ensure that they were in fact delicious, and not merely delicious when already very drunk on beer.

But soft! What light through yonder window breaks? It is Whole Foods, which has now begun to carry Victory beers. While several options were available, for Eric, lover of IPA's, the choice was clear: HopDevil, the hoppiest beer in the land.

HopDevil is an IPA that goes to 11. Its flavor is a combination of hops, hops, and more hops, with some floral notes somewhere, tooting almost in embarrassment. The bitterness is also cranked up, leaving a sharp tang on your tongue, and there is a relatively high amount of carbonation. Even the smell is very strong; people in the vicinity will know an IPA is being imbibed nearby.

If you do not like IPA's, you absolutely should not drink this beer. If you like IPA's, you may still find this beer overpowering. If you love hops as much as Eric does, you will probably love this beer. Regardless, don't start with this one or almost everything else will taste weak by comparison.

Just the facts, ma'am: HopDevil, Victory Brewing Company, Pennsylvania, IPA, 6.7% alcohol by volume.

Ribbit! Definitely hoppy.

Lagunitas IPA

The IPA, or India pale ale, is a fairly robust beer to begin with when compared to other types of beers, excepting stouts or porters. Of all the kinds of beers, this is my least favorite due to my aversion to hops. It also happens to be my husband's favorite, as well as that of several of our friends.

The Lagunitas IPA is a solid example of its type, perhaps leaning toward light. Brewed in California by the Lagunitas Brewing Company, it is less strong than its fellow Lagunitas brew, the Maximus, but is nonetheless delightfully hoppy and bitter. If you like IPA's, you'll like this beer. If you like more robust IPA's, give this one a pass and head straight for the Maximus.

Given its relative weakness when compared to other IPA's, this is the kind of beer you'd want to start the night with, because after anything else it will probably taste too watery. Drink this, then work your way up to the Maximus, or something else like the Dogfish Head 60 Minute or 90 Minute.

Just the facts, ma'am: Lagunitas IPA, Lagunitas Brewing Company, California, IPA, 5.70% alcohol by volume.

Wouldn't kick it out of bed in the morning, might even buy it breakfast.