Hi, I’m John, and I’m a beer addict. Mind you, I’m not an alcoholic, that dreaded word that sometimes gets tossed at beer, wine, and spirits enthusiasts. Indeed, if I were an alcoholic, I wouldn’t have the problem that I have: I have too much beer. Some might not see that as a problem at all, but my issue is that I love beer in all its diversity and variety. So, I tend to buy more of it than I can drink.

Sometimes, that means I drink beer beyond its suggested “best by” date. Today, beer geeks seem to think IPAs especially need to be drunk no later than 5 minutes after you get them out of the package store, though that’s not the point of the style. I’ve had a lot of interesting experiences drinking “old beer”, not all of them what one could call a success. Why do I drink old beer? Mostly because I drink so much fresh beer, on tap at Taco Mac or in a growler from Stouts.

All of this brings us to Foothills IPA of the Month June 2015: Wally. I bought this last year at Bruisin’ Ales in Asheville, North Carolina, popped it in my beer fridge and didn’t drink it until March 20^th of 2016. This time, I wasn’t disappointed, as though the beer was probably about 9 months old, it was very tasty indeed. Keep in mind that IPAs were designed to travel and age, friends.

From the label:

We’re once again brewing a different IPA every month for 2015. Our #FoothillsIPAdog program found dogs from our online community to grace this year’s labels. And each bottle sold will help a rescue organization in that dog’s community. So enjoy. These are good beers. And good dogs.

So used to royal treatment is our June IPA dog that he's nicknamed "Prince Wally." Like any good California native, Wally's most at home at the beach - chasing birds and testing the ocean water just in case it's not salty this time. A dog this regal deserves a correspondingly majestic IPA, full of experimental hops with tropical and citrus notes aplenty. See you at the beach, Wally.

Foothills IPA of the Month June 2015: Wally has an alcohol content of 5.9% by volume with 60 IBUs. It was a great deal at $6.50 for a 22-ounce bomber bottle.

Foothills IPA of the Month June 2015: Wally pours to a bright orange amber color with a thick rocky head and a bright citrus and herb nose. Taking a sip, the beer seems slightly thin malty but a little creamy, then tangy citric like tangerines with notes of bitter lemon zest. The creaminess adds the impression of a Creamsickle. There’s a light herbal bitter bite in the finish and the ber is very tasty and refreshing.

Folks, this beer has aged very nicely, I’m not getting the tropical fruity notes they talk about (likely a function of the age) but I love the orange and lemon citrus notes. A very well done beer from a very good brewery indeed.

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

 

 

 



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