Brew Review - Caldera IPA

Brew Reviews are back (we'd like to say they're better than ever, buuuutttt...yeah)! We thought it appropriate to start off with a summery brew that we've been drinking a bit of lately in the Caldera IPA. CANNED Caldera IPA.

We don't know much, but we do know that we were told long ago, "Canned beer = evil". And outside of our occasional 10-12-18 hr drinking binges, we don't really disagree...until now. To be clear, this isn't your father's $2.99 six pack, but instead a $14 six pack that puts a healthy dent in your wallet. Are there more affordable/possibly better brews on the market? Sure, but we feel that the can is part of the novelty. Plus, in that outdoorsy Oregon way, the can's descriptions of eXtreme/non-couch based activities makes you feel bad that you aren't rafting some category 5's at that moment.

Simply put, we liked the beer. The beer poured a nice, light golden/amber color with less than an inch of off white foam. The smell is what got us - heavy, floral hops and super super "clean". A boner quotient of 4 if you will (you'll hear us use that lingo every now and then...we don't even know what it means). Unfortunately, the taste was a slight let down compared to how great the smell was. Caldera has a good piney, grassy, flowery after-taste that has some maltiness and only a little bit of hop. Being huge DIPA fans and all around bad asses, we wanted the hops to be a bit bolder and more inline with the smell. Still, overall enjoyable and worth purchasing when my Christmas bonus shows up.

Music-wise, this beer screams Blitzen Trapper - Black River Killer. Laid back, the twang of the guitar in the background, dangerous undertones (listen to the lyrics, it is about a killer after all), it's all there. When we listen to this song we visualize ourselves drinking a Caldera IPA straight outta the can with our currently unpurchased cowboy boots up on the rail of our currently unpurchased Craftsman house.

Serving Type: CAN (!!!!!)
Glassware: Nonic pint glass (and some straight out of the can)
Color (hue and head): Light amber with an off-white head
Clarity: Settles clear

Aroma: Intense floral notes, citrus hops, grassy, clean

Taste: Hoppy, a bit of a malt aftertaste, piney Grade: 87 (B+)

Musical Pairing: Blitzen Trapper - Black River Killer

Surroundings: At home, eating a Chicken Fajita Burrito from Jalapenos