Time for a beer in Puerto Rico, a craft beer in Puerto Rico! It was a Friday, and we were wandering around El Conquistador resort exploring. You know what I was looking for: beer. The night before, I had refreshed with an ice-cold Medalla Light, and it was apropos to the moment (and the weather). Today, though, I was on the hunt for local craft beer, and the very first one I found was Ocean IPA from Ocean Lab Brewing in Carolina, just outside San Juan.
I enjoyed this at the Cafe Bella Vista, one of many bars/restaurants at El Conquistador. Cafe Bella Vista had several Ocean Lab beers in bottles, and indeed no draft was to be found anywhere on the premises, at least, I did not find any, and I looked. Trust me. The brewery had come highly recommended by fellow beer geeks and I will say that Ocean IPA absolutely did not disappoint.
Ocean IPA seems to vary in strength, even the brewery cannot make up their mind how strong it is. On the website they cite a strength of 6.0%-7.0%. Untappd has it listed as 7.6%, but my bottle said 7.1% so that is what I am going with. All of these strengths are by volume, of course.
About Ocean Lab Brewing
Founded in 2016, Ocean Lab Brewing Co. is one of Puerto Rico's most celebrated craft breweries, known for beach‑side brewing and beers well suited for tropical climes. It operates out of Isla Verde - Carolina, directly on the beach at the Vivo Beach Club complex.
Tasting Notes
As soon as I poured my bottle of Ocean IPA into a glass and sniffed I knew I was in for a treat. Rich malt and resiny hops wafted to my nostrils, and I could not wait to take a sip. When I did, I got a firm caramel maltiness followed in short order by grapefruit, piney resin, earthy herbal notes, and a long dry bitter grapefruit rind bitter finish. The beer reminded me of the classic 90s American IPAs (original west coast IPAs) I cherish to this day.
Value & Verdict
I paid $7 for a 12-ounce bottle at Cafe Bella Vista. The brewery sells it direct for $15.99 a six-pack or $57.50 a case. It's actually cheaper at Pueblo Supermarkets in Carolina, they have it listed at $14.49 in bottles and $13.49 in cans. I also saw it in single cans at the airport but did not get the price.
If I lived in Puerto Rico, this would be a staple chez Bruguru for sure. I found it simply delightful, and I will seek it out again next time I go there. It's great with food as well, and I enjoyed another bottle a few nights later with a plate of crostini with blue cheese crumble, mozzarella tomato salad, roast beef, risotto, and shrimp creole.
