Remember Cottonwood Brewing of Boone, North Carolina? I sure do. They had one heck of a pumpkin ale that I still remember to this day. Later, the brewery was acquired by Carolina Beer & Beverage, and they (or perhaps their brands) were acquired by Foothills Brewing of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Foothills still makes and sells Cottonwood Pumpkin Ale under the original name.
Another Cottonwood beer that has survived is Cottonwood Frostbite Black IPA, although it has been rebranded as Foothills Frostbite Black IPA. For a time, they kept the Cottonwood moniker but eventually made the beer a Foothills brand. I’m a big fan of the style (really India Dark Ale; a beer can’t be black and pale at the same time). Foothills version is a very good one indeed.
From the label:
The official beer of Jack Frost. Skillfully blended barley and roasted wheat malts team up with a big blast of flavor and aroma from Pacific Northwest hops. The result? A Black IPA as refreshingly bracing as a cold winter day.
Foothills Frostbite Black IPA has an alcohol content of 6.2% by volume with 74 IBUs. It runs $9.49 a six-pack at Target.
Foothills Frostbite Black IPA pours to a jet-black color with a thick creamy tan head of foam, and I mean thick. My bottle was a gusher, and it kept foaming like a volcano every time I added a bit to my glass. The nose is piney resiny with roasted malt, and taking a sip it’s much the same, the dark roasted malts up front followed quickly by the resiny pine notes, all leading into a long dry finish.
A very nice example of the style, and a bit of history in your glass to boot.
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
(G)=Growler