HARPOON IPA @harpoon_brewery

A week ago I made a pilgrimage to Attica, IN to realize my dream of owning a Toyota Land Cruiser.  I found one in damn near mint condition so I tapped the war chest and went and bought it.  While in Attica I stopped at a small liquor store to see what beer that had with the hopes that something from 3 Floyds would be eyeing me from the shelf.  Sadly I didn’t find any 3 Floyds but I did pick up a 6 pack of HarpoonIPA!

Boston Massachusettes Harpoon Brewery started brewing this beer as a summer seasonal in 1993.  There were some great IPAs out in the Pacific Northwest, but no local IPAs on the east coast.  They wanted to have a local IPA, so we brewed one.  People absolutely loved it, and so they made it a year-round beer, and it’s now their bestselling beer and their flagship.

Since its introduction, Harpoon IPA has remained unique in its ability to balance hop bitterness with a strong malt backbone. Dry-hopped with Cascade hops, it has a floral hop aroma and a finish that is bitter (it is an IPA after all!) without being harsh or astringent. Combined with a malty sweetness and the fruity esters of our proprietary yeast, those hops create a beer that is wonderfully hoppy but clean and refreshing enough to enjoy a few of - and we hope you do.

Beer Advocate rates Harpoon IPA an 82 which is about average.

This was actually a very smooth IPA.  It opens up with hints of floral hops but not to the extent of say Lagunitas Brown Sugah, or Zombie Dust.  The hop profile isn’t overwhelming either.  As it warms up Harpoon releases more malty favors giving way to a nice hop-bitter finish.  At 5.9% and 42 IBUs I would say it’s a nice smooth everyday IPA.

Cheers!

RAMON ALLONES SMALL CLUB CORONAS

I got this cigar free with my last purchase from Bell Hop.  Admittedly I’ve never been a fan of the corona size cigar.  They always remind me of cigarillos and it makes me feel douchey smoking them.  But lately I’ve tried some fantastic corona format cigars, namely from Cuba, most recently the Ramon Allones Small Club Coronas.

Country: Cuba

Wrapper: Cuban

Length: 4.3

Ring Gauge: 42

Strength: Medium-full

Ramon Allones was created in 1837 and is not only one of the oldest cigar brands in Cuba but also one of the biggest names in Cuba’s cigar industry.  Ramon Allones was the pioneer brand that adorned its boxes with decorative labels and seals.  All cigars in the Ramon Allones family of cigars come from the Vuelta Abajo region and all have complex attributes to their tastes.

In 1999 it was a hard to find cigar.  It was less aggressive than a Lusitanias but more aromatic than a Punch, the Ramon Small Club Corona is a very good after meal cigar.  This double corona has a separate public, which is absolutely faithful to it.  It is a great Habano, generous, complete, deep and with an unmistakable aroma and flavor.  The Club Corona is the king of the Ramon Allones brand and one of the 20 best Habanos of the format range.

The cut was east and quick.  Before lighting I gave the stick a draw check.  It was a tad tight

but as I would find out after lighting it was just right.  I decided to light this baby up.  Like with all Cubans I’ve tried the instant you inhale the smoke is flavorful and enjoyable.  Some cigars from Honduras and other countries start off a bit harsh prior to revealing their flavor profile.  Not the case with Cubans and especially with the Club Corona. 

About an inch in it was evident this cigar was complex in character and flavor.  Notes of pepper and spice quickly gave way to what I can only describe as intense notes of tart, tangy, cream with a hint of a spicy finish. 

Every smoke was amazingly smooth and the complexity of the tobacco blew my mind.  The ash was a nice soot color almost dirty gray and held on for a long time before I had to eventually discard it for fear I’d drop it on myself and burn another hole in my shorts. 

The Club Corona is easily one of the most if not the most complex cigar I’ve tasted.  It was enjoyable from start to finish never letting up its complex flavors.  I would actually consider buying a box of these...that is if I could find one!

Cheers!

STONE ARROGANT BASTARD @StoneBrewingCO

This is an aggressive ale. You probably won’t like it. It is quite doubtful that you have the taste or sophistication to be able to appreciate an ale of this quality and depth. We would suggest that you stick to safer and more familiar territory–maybe something with a multi-million dollar ad campaign aimed at convincing you it’s made in a little brewery, or one that implies that their tasteless fizzy yellow beverage will give you more sex appeal. Perhaps you think multi-million dollar ad campaigns make things taste better. Perhaps you’re mouthing your words as you read this.

Beer Advocate rates Arrogant Bastard a 94 which is spot on for this beer!

This is how the label reads on the back of the aforementioned beer above!  And it's as advertised.  Few beers I've had are as compelling and tasty as that of TheBastard!  I first tried Arrogant Bastard back on a snowy night Christmas 2010.  The Bastard was an instant favorite of not only me but a few of my buddies as well.  I've never had a bad beer from Stone Brewing Co.  In fact Stone is on my bucket list of places to visit soon and I plan on doing so when I go to San Diego next summer to Comicon with Darth Mango!  

At less than $10 a 20oz bomber Arrogant bastard boasts a bold 7.2% ABV and a hoppy yet malty flavor profile.  I've had The Bastard with food, cigars, and by itself and it really doesn't matter it goes with damn near anything.  So if you happen to run across an isle of beer and there is a row of beer by Stone Brewing odds are Arrogant Bastard will be in lineup.  You should definitely pick a bottle or two up...if you think yourself worthy that is!

Cheers