Gearmond wrote:@CBA i've always heard it as a rumor-y big name kinda thing, and where i'm from its the same price as delerium. i agree with you about their IPAs, but i wasn't really wowed by their punk'n ale. pumking 4 lyf
the best IPAs don't go for OMG WERE HOPZ they just make a GOOD beer. case in point: Hopslam, White Raja, and Two Hearted.
Pumking is good, but 2011's tasted like a big bottle of nutmeg. The second one I had I enjoyed, but I didn't even finish the first one I bought. 2010's was much more balanced.
Haven't had White Raja (what brewery is that?), but you're totally right about Hoplam and Two Hearted. With a name like Hopslam, it's surprising to see that that beer is so balanced... yeah, it's hoppy, but it's equal parts hoppy and sweet, soft and full yet cutting. Two Hearted is the supreme example of what a good American IPA should be. Nothing about that beer sticks out annoyingly... it's just delicious and hearty, pun straight intended.
Then you try something like Avery's Maharaja Imperial IPA, and geez... it's JUST hops.
I'll never get tired of American IPAs... I just need that bite.
C