This past week as I was deciding what beer I wanted to drink this weekend I was torn between different brews. I was craving an IPA but which one? Should I go with a high demand / hard to find hoppy brew or drink and recommend one of my all time favorite and go-to American Pale Ales? Going with the latter, in hopes of inspiring more people to try American Pale Ales, this weekend Heavy Seas’ Loose Cannon IPA is What’s on Tap!
One of the trends within American craft brewing is the over-the-top IPA; there seems to be an unspoken race between breweries to see who can brew a beer that is so bitter and so full of hops that makes even the hoppiest-hop-head tap out. While I love hoppy beers, I find that I am enjoying IPAs that offer a bit more to both taste and flavors; Heavy Seas’ Loose Cannon is such a beer. Is it full of hops, yes, but it is not over-powering. To me what makes the beer is the “secondary flavors,” the citrus and the earthy spices and notes. And just when you are waiting for the bitterness you are hit with the beer’s malt. If you have not found a go-to IPA or are wanting to try one give Loose Cannon a try; you will not be disappointed.
I am paring several pints of Loose Cannon with pork tenderloin. I have been marinating the pork in a sweet and spicy sauce in hopes to give it some kick and to help the hops and alcohol accentuate the marinade’s spicy flavor. But really Loose Cannon is a beer that can go with any food and is completely drinkable any time.
Cheers!
Beer Stats:
Alcohol by Volume: Approx. 7.25%
IBUs: 45
Color: Golden Orange
Hops: Warrior, Simcoe, Palisade, Centennial, Cascade, Citra
Malt: 2-Row, Caramalt, Munich
