From Odellbrewing.com

Today is IPA Day for those who love mouths full of hops. I have recruited my three IPA experts, my brother Brian, my neighbor Fred and of course Jeremy to review one IPA each on this special beer drinking day.

Brian

Smuttynose Brewing Co. – Big A IPA – Any beer that comes in a four pack usually means it’s going to knock you on your butt! Smuttynose Big A IPA does not disappoint on that front. This imperial IPA packs a punch with 9.7% ABV. The beer is a cloudy yellowish-orange color and has a floral nose. With the higher alcohol content of the imperial IPA, the taste of hops is very strong which is confirmed with the 120 IBU. You are tasting hops from the first sip through a strong and slightly pungent aftertaste. The taste of the hops is accommodated by bitterness. This beer teeters on the fence of being too hoppy which is saying a lot coming from me because I usually can’t get enough hops. Overall the beer was delicious and if you are looking for an extremely hoppy beer this is the one for you.

Fred

Stone Brewing Co. – Ruination IPA – In the spirit of #stone2cbus day my wife and I tried the Stone Ruination IPA at Zauber Brewing. While this was the first time I tried this particular beer on tap, it was also the first time my wife drank an entire double IPA. At a staggering 105 IBU’s and 8.2% alcohol, this feat is not to be taken lightly. The beer pours a nice shade of amber and has a distinct citrus aroma from the magnum and centennial hops. The flavor is right up my alley with a strong yet balanced hop note with an aftertaste of grapefruit. This has to be one of the smoothest drinking double IPAs on the market. If Stone chooses to build a brewery in Columbus and I hope they do, this is definitely a beer I would celebrate with.

Jeremy

NoDa Brewing Co. – Hop, Drop ‘n Roll – I was first introduced to this brew at VBGB at Music Factory in Charlotte while visiting. Being a local brew it was a first choice and it didn’t disappoint. Having moved to Charlotte last year this is a staple of the weekend diet. It is an award winning American Style IPA and it is obvious why.  Hop, Drop ‘n Roll is fantastic. There really is no other way to describe it.  The initial sweetness gives way very quickly to the usual strong bitter you expect from an IPA. The bitterness is pleasing though and after the first drink it slowly mellows as you finish your first can or pint. At 7.8% ABV Hop, Drop ‘n Roll is an opportunity for a quick intoxication factor. Sure moderation always helps but the smooth texture and pleasing taste beckons for more and more.  If you get the opportunity at experiencing this brew jump on it immediately.

Kevin

Clown Shoes Beer – Galactica – Their write up on their bottle reads “Galactica, a hop staff wielding heroine, patrols in karate kick mode through the heavens. Dry hopped with Galaxy hops, a clean malt back bone enhances the dank and luscious flavors IPA flavors.” Their beers are as unique as their verbiage and art work. This beer was much like Six Point’s Bengali Tiger. I wasn’t sure if I liked the beer but I kept trying it to figure out what was going on. In both cases, there were so many flavors going on that my palate changed as I drank it. After downing the six pack, I decided that for the first time I actually tasted the malt in an IPA. The hops in the beer itself hits you up front, you move on to the malt and you get finished off with the dry hopped Galaxy hops. They don’t have an IBU listing but it will kick you in the teeth with an 8.0% ABV. This beer would be a fine way to celebrate IPA Day.