Beermas 2013-2014 – Day 01 –  Star Struck Rye IPA by Deep Cove Brewers and Distillers

We are back in Beermas my friends.  Kicking off Beermas 2013-2014 on Day 01 is Star Struck IPA by Deep Cove Brewers and Distillers.

First and foremost, thanks to my lovely wife for gifting me this brew.

Read on or click  play below for the enhanced Audio experience.

Let’s get started!

The Bottle: It has got some cool artwork – a groovy looking cat with long hair,  glasses and a ‘stache… Reminds me of…. well ME many moons ago.  I feel a kinship with this fellow on the bottle.  Speaking of the bottle it’s the usual 650 ML Bottle and weighs in at 7% alc./vol.

The Star Struck Moment: I actually had a memory trigger at the title of the brew.  I had my own Star struck moment.  I was at a guitar clinic where on of my favorite musicians, Canadian blues/rock/reggae master singer songwriter guitarist Gordie Johnson of Big Sugar, he had wrapped up and was signing autographs.  Well, all I had with me was my cool brown leather coat, so I took it off and placed it on the table.  I was so Star Struck, all I could say to him was – Can you please sign my coat…<pause>  I just got it at a church rummage sale.

Sigh – he looked at me and smiled graciously and said after a pause, “Cool Man”… He signed it and off I went, sauntering away feeling foolish but stoked I got my coat signed.  Actually – I kinda dig that though – I feel like the spirit of rock and roll is with me whenever I put that coat on so it didn’t work out too badly.

Ok, let’s get back to our focus here.

The Beer:  Here’s what it looks like.  Now let’s crack it open.

The Pour:  Let’s giver a pour.   Nothing unexpected – looks like an IPA. Thumb and a half full of head.  Colouring is golden.  Smells delicious – citrusy but a sweetness is also in there.

Quoting from the bottle “Let the incredible tangerine, candied apricot and tropical aroma take you deep into a lasting citrus bitterness with toasty rye undertones”… Interesting, perhaps that sweetness I detected in the aroma was the candied apricot they are referring to.

Let’s taste:   Smooth, drinkable, digging deep I am getting the candied apricot and you don’t have to dig for the bitter smack of the hops on the aftertaste.  Very nice indeed – Another solid local IPA to add to the list.

Would I buy it again?  Yes.

I should mention that they propose some food pairings on the bottle, to quote: “Suggested Food Pairing Ideas: Smoked Gouda, Jerk Chicken, Genoa Salami, Walnut and Tangerine Salad, STicky Toffee Pudding” .

Hmm.   Too bad all I have to pair with this tasty brew is the nasty food of the cast – Kralfredo Dinner.  Yup – it’s what it sounds like – leftover Kraft Dinner with leftover Alfredo Sauce… Why am I eating this… I’m not sure – it was in the fridge and it’s Friday and I didn’t want to cook.  I’m sure you’re wondering – was it tasty?

NO.  But I’m hungry so I’ll eat it. 😉

The Food:

Cheers everyone.  See you on Beermas 2013-2014 – Day 02!

Freesound audio file used in the this episode:
110642-santa – ho ho ho #2.wav – by CanuckLovingBrit