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+)
Surroundings: At home, eating a Chicken Fajita Burrito from Jalapenos
The potential for this event's awesomeness is through the roof - $95 for a weekend and the chance to rub elbows with anywhere from lil ol citizen bloggers like ourselves to industry blogging big wigs to brewery reps? Yes please. 
The potential for this event's awesomeness is through the roof - $95 for a weekend and the chance to rub elbows with anywhere from lil ol citizen bloggers like ourselves to industry blogging big wigs to brewery reps? Yes please. 
