Rotator Spiced IPA
May 1, 2012Widmer 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.
- Roger Protz
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.
- Garrett Oliver
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Roger Protz
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.
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Garrett Oliver
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.
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