A recent stomach bug has put a damper on my drinking; in fact I’ve been off the wagon for about a week but today I’m officially back. [Editor’s note: Obligatory Old School reference] I timed it perfectly because this week one of my favorite breweries released a session IPA that’s too good not to review. This weekend Stone Brewing’s “Go To IPA” is What’s on Tap!
When I heard that Stone was producing a session IPA (“session beers” are either ales or lagers that have an ABV five percent or lower) I was concerned that Stone might have jumped the shark. But after my first sip I can say with honesty that Go To IPA is a must try!
Though it looks like a traditional Pale Lager, Go To IPA is bursting with hoppy citrus flavor. Even before reaching my lips I could smell the beer’s citrus notes. With each sip, you get a huge taste of grapefruits, mangos, peaches as well as a strong hoppy presence; Got To is brewed with 9…yes, 9 different hop varietals! And the backend of each sip is followed by a good deal of bitterness. What might be most surprising is Go To’s low ABV, which is only 4.5%. On the bright side this means you can have quite a few.
In honor of Mardi Gras I am drinking Go To IPA with gumbo. The spicy Cajun dish will balance and complement the Go To’s huge hoppy and citrus flavors. To be honest, I am not sure what is complementing what, the beer or the food! After only drinking one I can easily see how the name came about because I think I have found a new “Go To IPA!”
Cheers!
Beer Stats:
Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 4.5
IBUs: 65
Color: Golden
Bitterness (IBUs): 65
Hops: Mosaic, Citra, Ahtanum, Cascade, Crystal, El Dorado, Magnum, Sterling and 06300
