For today’s craft beer review I’m going to be trying the Green Flash West Coast IPA made by the Green Flash Brewing Company located in San Diego, California.

Let’s skip all of the small talk and get to the website, greenflashbrew.com, and find out what this beer is all about. 

A menagerie of hops is layered throughout the brewing process: Simcoe for unique fruitiness and grapefruit zest, Columbus for strong hop pungency, Centennial for pine and citrus notes and Cascade for floral aroma. A multi-dimensional hop experience.

Now…. time for the pour.

This brew poured from a 12 oz. bottle and it has an ABV of 7.3%.

The appearance was of a hazy, deep, dark orange to amber color that had a bunch of burnt orange highlights around the bottom of the glass.  The off white head was very voluptuous, soapy, fluffy and rocky.  The retention time was spectacular and the lacing was quite good also.

The nose brought forth….. hops!!!  Wonderful hints of grapefruit and orange citrus combined with some very effervescent floral and piny notes.  A little bit of caramel and biscuit malt was noticed as the brew began to warm, but there is no mistaking that the hops were the star of the show with this one.

The taste revealed big grapefruit and pine savors with subtle touches of orange zest.  A very strong bitterness and hop presence to say the least.  A little bit of bread and biscuit malt was found, but the caramel sweetness was barely detectable.  Once again, the hops dominate.

The mouthfeel was medium bodied, sharp, crisp, snappy, refreshing and thirst quenching.  The carbonation was very lively and good.  The palate was completely soaked with flavor after each sip.  The taste stayed with me long after I had finished the bottle.

Well….. this is a very good beer to say the least.  This thing has enough hops and bitterness to satisfy even the most experienced hophead.  The drinkability was splendid as well.  I made my way through this beer rather quickly.  I wouldn’t say that the West Coast IPA is all that complex or complicated, but who needs that when you are greeted with all this hoppy goodness?!?!  I, for one, will be picking this up again this Spring and Summer.  You should give it a try too.  It’s quite the hop bomb.  I’m convinced that it may be a bit forward with the bitterness for some, however for those that really like IPA’s, you can’t go wrong with the Green Flash West Coast IPA.

Thanks for reading and commenting folks.  I really appreciate it.

Until next time.  Cheers.

Score:  4.25 out of 5
Grade:  A-