Back in New England, October used to mean fall, and with it cooler temperatures both night and day. Here in Georgia, it usually just means more summer, if a milder version of same. Mind you, we still call it fall, and maybe there is something to that, as it at least no longer oppressively hot. Late fall and early spring are two of the times I like to enjoy a beer outside, and I was doing just that on October 6^th: sitting on the patio at Taco Mac here in Canton sipping a Highland Mandarina IPA in the gorgeous fall weather.

Now, more on the beer on less on the weather. Maybe. I mention the weather because Highland Mandarina is crisp and refreshing with a satisfying citrus twist, making it a perfect warm and even hot weather brew. Fast forward to New Year’s Day of 2017, and there I was ringing in the new year with another Highland Mandarina IPA (this time from a can) along with leftover Lo Mein, Chow Mein and fried rice and The Three Stooges. It was just as refreshing on a cool (but not cold) January day as it was on a warm October one.

From the can label:

An adventure-loving and aromatic citrus IPA. Brewed with nuanced German Mandarina Bavaria and Hull Melon hops and bold, juicy American oranges, expect intense orange and tropical notes and a crisp, bright finish. This one is a palate-pleaser.

There’s also a bit about the brewery there:

Highland’s name honors the Scots Irish who settled in the Appalachian mountains. Founded in 1994, we are Asheville’s first legal brewery since Prohibition.

Asheville abounds with breweries today, but that was not as much the case when I moved to the south in 2001. Highland was one of the bright spots on the brewing scene then, and remains much cherished by this guru of brew to this day.

Ingredients from the website:

Hops: Mandarina Bavaria, Hull Melon, Summit

Grist: Two Row, C-40, Vienna, Flaked Oats

Highland Mandarina IPA has an alcohol content of 5% by volume with 35 IBUs. I paid $5 for a 20-ounce mug at Taco Mac and $9.99 for a six-pack at Sherlock’s.

Highland Mandarina IPA pours to a beautiful orange amber color with an appetizing soft citrus and orange jello notes in the nose, soft caramel malt, all infused with pulpy tangerine notes and at the last bitter orange rind and a slightly grassy herbal long dry hop bitterness.

Another winner from Highland, a soft fruity refreshing IPA that I’m glad they added to their repertoire.

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