Share |
Bomber of the Month: April
Green Flash: Hop Odyssey Black IPA
Regular Price: $6.99
Sale Price: $5.49
Sale End: 4/30/2014
ABV: 7.2
IBUs: 85
Beer Advocate: 88
Rate Beer: 98
Green Flash: Hop Odyssey Black IPA

Leave it to Green Flash to not give up on a style that can cause debates within inner circles of the beer community. The San Diego brewery is one of the classic California producers of all things hoppy and their new Hop Odyssey series of limited edition releases allows them to find new opportunities to bombard palates and push the limit of alpha acid comprehension. Their rendition of the Black IPA comes at a time just as some have finally given up on the style, luckily; it could be one of the saving grace examples to ever be put into bottles.


It wasn’t but a few years ago when a fury of attention from American brewers went to foraging a new style that pulled attributes from other existing examples. The Black IPA was a natural progression after raising the bar from Pale Ale, finding the breaking point of a classic India Pale Ale and having to land back on earth from the extremes of ridiculous Imperial variations.


Using a dark malt base full of toasted and chocolate flavors, then utilizing hops from the Pacific Northwest to show off aromas of pine and citrus, the style is somewhat of a natural contradiction. Some variations taste simply as hopped up versions of Dry Porters or oily Stouts, and that was hard for many to accept given the lack of unity between the two distinct foundations. The winners of the style truly make a new range of flavors that are admirable with balance yet still being upfront with a firm degree of hoppy intensity. Green Flash seems to have taken the past few years to perfect their offering; it simply is one of the better examples of a style so varied.
On to the Tasting Notes:

The pungent aromas of spruce and orange marmalade waft from the bottle upon first opening, welcoming with their assertive qualities that can only come from a beer of this nature. Kaki colored bubbles rest upon the nearly black liquid but one that isn’t so viscous as to be intimidating. Toasted rye bread, walnuts and cocoa try to shimmy beyond the hop aromas but in the end, remain one step behind the zesty presence from Citra, Warrior and Cascade hops. Upfront and not at all deceiving, this is a beer for true hopheads.


Grapefruit bitterness meets pumpernickel in a flavorful first sip that quenches while rounding out with a pleasing edge of boisterous energy. Chocolate levels are present but subdued, the body is firm but not lingering with abundant weight or sharp with prickly carbonation, some smoke nuances work with the grassy hops and create a nicely layered interaction of somewhat contrasting flavors. Bitterness persists into the finish leaving a drying sensation that slowly beckons and creates that desire for another sip. French press coffee keeps coming to mind, along with fresh watercress and a fruity high note that is almost tropical. Well executed and pleasant, up there with the best of the (now widely accepted) style.
Food Pairing:
With spring emerging all around us, grilling and out door dining will soon work its way back into rotation. Meats and vegetables hit by the heat of the coals bring charred flavors that work well with a beer that is full of its own natural roasted character. Spring onions, blackened fish, potatoes coated in a herbed aioli and a side of the spicy Spanish Romesco Almond sauce would bring many interesting flavors to rise with a glass of Green Flash’s Black IPA in hand. Fresh of the season lamb shank, braised to perfection with citrus fruit, young garlic and olives could be a hearty dinner that still offers a brightness and high tone of acidity to bridge the herbal hops from the beer. A Pate Brissee tart dough filled with mushrooms, thyme, blue cheese and caramelized onions would be a splendid mid-day meal and a wonderful way to bring on the new season, as well as do this beer justice.



Reviews Interviews

 

Home    |    Deals    |    Wines    |    Notes From The Beer Cooler    |    Event Planning    |    Ask The Experts    |    Locate Us    |    Newsletter Signup
Copyright 2012 Mile High Wine and Spirits   |    Login