So the other day I was at Sherlock’s in Kennesaw picking up some beer when a six-pack of gleaming silver cans (no, not the Silver Bullet folks) caught my eye. This was a new beer (to me anyway) from a new brewer (to me anyway). Compass Rose India Pale Ale is brewed and canned by the Service Brewing Company of Savannah, Georgia.
Service began operations in 2014, and is now arriving on the Atlanta scene a year later. The brewery is unique in that it was founded by and is run by veterans (the brewer here, Jeff Hyatt, was a Blackhawk helicopter pilot for the US Army). Service is a welcome arrival on the growing Savannah beer scene.
Here in Georgia, most of the 35 (and counting) breweries are clustered around the Atlanta metro area. There are some exceptions, with Cannon Brewpub in Columbus and a new brewery in Macon now as well. Blue Ridge and Savannah are tied for best beer destinations outside of Atlanta in my book. Blue Ridge has a brewpub and two breweries, while Savannah has a brewpub and three breweries (Blue Ridge ties the score with an excellent beer bar/German restaurant).
Savannah has more beer history, however. The brewpub here, Moon River, has been around for over a decade (I visited it first in 2005). In 2006, the first microbrewery launched here as Old Savannah Brewing, but sadly did not last long. Prospects seem better for the three latest arrivals on the Savannah craft beer scene, Southbound, Coastal Empire, and of course Service.
From the can label:
The Nautical Compass Rose has helped Mariners find their way for centuries.
Our Compass Rose IPA honors those who have dedicated themselves to building the proud tradition of our navy.
Like a ship charging across friendly waters, this American-style IPA balances a medium-bodied malt presence with a bitterness that does not overpower. With its hop forward taste and refreshing citrus and floral notes, this is a brew for the high seas.
Service Compass Rose India Pale Ale has an alcohol content of 6% by volume. I paid $9.99 for a six-pack of cans at Sherlock’s.
Service Compass Rose India Pale Ale pours to a bright orange color with a thick foamy head and big beautiful nose of grapefruit citrus and resin. Taking a sip, the beer has a lovely caramel maltiness up front quickly followed by tons of hops. They’re citric grapefruity, slightly resiny and at the last, herbal, piney and very bitter. Maybe even a little minty.
I found this to be a perfectly balanced all-purpose IPA with lots of malt and lots of hops. It’s a refreshing change from the current trend towards fruit loopy hops as well. It even has great piney hop burps. A beer I will definitely buy again folks.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft