Firestone Walker’s Union Jack IPA Is What’s on Tap

Sometimes when you drink a beer that you’ve never tired or one you have not had in a while right on the first sip your immediate reaction is, “Wow! This beer is it!” Everything about the brew is spot on and every sip you are discovering more of the beer’s flavor profile. This weekend, the beer that I am enjoying is this exact type of brew, every sip got better and better. This weekend, Firestone Walker’s Union Jack IPA is What’s on Tap!

Formed in 1998, but was not until the early 2000s that Firestone Walker became a national household craft beer brand. Union Jack IPA is a West Coast-style IPA (West Coast IPAs are typically heavy on the citrus, hops, and bitterness) that is incredibly balanced. As I raised the glass I could smell a bit of the earth / pine notes and the malt but then the hops and citrus dominated; this stayed true throughout each sip. Each sip I tasted a different citrus fruit, everything from pineapple, to grapefruit, orange, and lemon, lime were present. The beer finishes like any great IPA with just the right amount of bitterness.
The best part about Union Jack is its drinkability. Yes it is full of flavors and to many non-IPA lovers I am sure they would consider it overpowering but for me, this beer was spot on and one that I will be consuming many of! You really cannot go wrong pairing Union Jack with any dish. However I am drinking some with grilled Caribbean Jerk rubbed chicken. The tanginess and hoppy citrus punch will fight it out on each sip and bite while complimenting themselves perfectly. So this weekend, grab this great West Coast IPA and toast to the weekend!
Cheers!
Beer Stats:

Style: Indian Pale Ale

Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 7.5%

Bitterness (IBUs): 70

Color (SRM): 8

Color: Dark Gold / Yellow

Hops: Bittering— Magnum; Late Kettle—Cascade, Centennial; Dry Hops—Amarillo, Cascade, Centennial, Citra, Chinook, Simcoe

Malts: Premium Two-Row (Metcalf & Kendall varieties), Munich, Cara Pils, Simpson’s Light Crystal