Widmer Brothers Brewing Co.
Portland , OR
Blending familiar flavors with unexpected ingredients, this hop-forward yet balanced IPA is brewed with malty assam black tea, ginger, cinnamon, clove, star anise, black pepper, and cardamom.
ABV: 7.0
ABW: n/a
COLOR: n/a
BITTERNESS: 70
ORIGINAL GRAVITY: 1064
AVAILABLE: Nationwide
The finest Darjeeling with your beer? This 7 percent IPA has an addition of spices and tea. It has a pale bronze color with enticing spices on the aroma—perhaps cinnamon and oregano—with resinous notes from both hops and tea. There’s a big blast of bitter hops in the mouth and the spices grow in intensity, with a good balance of toasted malt and a light hint of fresh tea leaf. There are bitter hops, spices, creamy malt and a lingering hint of lemony tea. This would be a fine companion for a mild curry—a korma or a biriani.
Hazy deep gold, it catches the light in a strange, almost fluorescent manner. The aroma catches my nose in a strange way too. It smells like hops, mint, thyme, sage, and, yes, weed. More “herbs” than “spices.” There’s tea here too, in a supporting role; it shows up in the middle of a very dry, fruity palate. Together with the hops, it produces a quinine-like bitterness. Tea notes drift into the finish. This is a beer that you might not be sure you like… and then your glass will be empty. Very creative and well worth trying.
Author of Complete Guide to World Beer and 300 Beers to Try Before You Die. Respected beer authority and editor of the CAMRA Good Beer Guide. and www.protzonbeer.co.uk.
Internationally recognized brewer and expert on traditional beer, Garrett Oliver is the brewmaster of the Brooklyn Brewery and the author of The Brewmaster’s Table.
