Does Oskar Blues have a “session IPA”? They do now. Of course as we all know, session IPAs are a contradiction in terms, and these beers are really American pale Ales. Be that as it may, and as many times as I’ve said this, I do enjoy some of them. So naturally I picked up a can of Oskar Blues Pinner Throwback IPA, which they thankfully don’t call a session IPA. It does walk and talk like one, though.
I am not so sure what they mean by “Throwback IPA”. What is this a throwback to? You’ve got me. I do know that, like most Oskar Blues beers, it is sold in cans instead of bottles. My serving comes from the new Brevard, North Carolina brewery and the can says “Can I be blunt? Sip, sip, give” along the lip.
Here’s what they say about the beer on their website:
How do you cram as much hop & malt flavor and aroma as possible into a beer but make it crushable too? That’s the challenge we answered with PINNER Throwback IPA…. this drinkable IPA uses several varieties of hops to target the ever-evolving flavor. With tropical fruits, citrus juices, pineapple and spice berry up front in the aroma and flavor, the biscuit & toasted bread at the back balance out all the hops and make a great finish to go on to your next can of PINNER. It’s the perfect beer for a little sip, sip, give.
Still doesn't tell me what they're throwing back to.
Oskar Blues Pinner Throwback IPA has an alcohol content of 4.9% by volume and 35 IBUs. It was running $9.49 a six-pack at my local Total Wine; I got a single for $1.99. The bottom of my can is stamped “Canned On 2/24/15” which must have been a snow day in Brevard, since the words “Snow Day” appear right under the canning date. Total Wine has affixed a small label showing they received it in on 3/13/2015, and I drank it on 4/6/2015. All in all not bad timing.
Oskar Blues Pinner Throwback IPA pours to a bright orange color with a thick creamy head formation and a big resiny hop nose. Taking a sip, the beer has a light bit of biscuit malt up front with just the slightest hint of caramel but is not as malty as I would like. As the beer progresses, it becomes quite citrusy with grapefruit, perhaps some passion fruit and more resin as it wraps up in a quite bitter finish. It’s drinkable and refreshing, and very much like other examples of the style out there.
I will say that the beer does seem to have a bit more malt than some other beers in this vein do, so that’s a plus. Would I buy it again? I would. And since Taco Mac currently has it on tap, I just might do so soon.
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