IPA Snapshot --Try These Two Soon

by Ryan Gertsel

 

These Spring offerings from two of the most venerated breweries in the country won't be a round for long...so be sure to grab some before they are gone!

Troegs Cultivator Helles Bock

Availability: Spring

Troegs Independent Brewing has released their spring seasonal beer dubbed "Cultivator."

Cultivator is 6.9 percent ABV Helles Bock,or Maibock, which is a style that is lighter in color than other bocks and typically released around this time of year. Helles Bocks are traditionally higher in alcohol and feature a defined hop characteristic. Cultivator is no different.

While I'm not particularly a fan of the style, Cultivator possesses all of the traditional traits found in Helles Bocks. Fans of the Bock beers will appreciate Cultivator's dedication to the style.  It is also important to note that Cultivator is much loved by the rest of the employees here at the store.

Cultivator is a pleasant looking beer. It has a silky copper color with a rather thin white foam head that begins to dissipate shortly after pouring. Lacing is almost nonexistent all the way down the glass.

The brew's aroma includes a variety of scents, but sweet malt and grain dominate the nose with subtle notes of bready pine mixed in.

Flavor wise, Cultivator is initially smooth with notes of toasted malt, bread and floral hops on the back end. It has a traditional lager taste, but it finishes with a bit of a kick from the 6.9 percent ABV. A trace of alcohol heat can be felt, and it lingers until you take your next sip.

For newcomers to the style, drinking Cultivator slightly below room temperature might relinquish some of the heat from the alcohol and allow the bread and toasted malt to shine through, making the beer a slightly more accessible.

Overall, Cultivator will likely hit all the notes for fans of the Helles Bock style. Troegs clearly paid close attention to detail while they brewed this year's version of their annual spring brew.

 

Sierra Nevada Beer Camp Tropical IPA

Availability: Spring (first time brewed)

Every spring, Sierra Nevada selects a beer for their "Beer Camp" series that was brewed in collaboration with fans who visit their brewery. For 2016, they chose to release a fruit-forward tropical IPA. Unlike other citrus or “fruit” IPAs, Sierra Nevada Tropical has no fruit added to the brewing process.  The fruit flavors are all created by the hops.  This is a true sentiment to their brewing skill.

Tropical IPA pours a translucent golden color with a lingering finger-length foam head.

The El Dorado and Mosaic hops used in this brew shine through the aroma, which transports you to a tropical island where you soak up the sun's rays and enjoy the soothing sound of crashing waves.

This fantasy continues through the beer's flavor, which is initially a burst of tropical fruit flavor--primarily zesty grapefruit with a hint of pineapple. The grapefruit walks the line between being overly tarty, but it never crosses into sour territory. The zest and fruit flavor is balanced out by a bready malt backbone and a refreshing dry finish.

If you're a fan of fruit-flavored IPAs such as Grapefruit Sculpin, or just want to fantasize about being on a tropical island, then I highly recommend you give Sierra's Beer Camp Tropical IPA a whirl.