Brew Love: La Cumbre Elevated IPA
So Josh and I have been talking over the past few weeks about the right way to do some sort of beer reviews. We've decided on sharing beers that we're enjoying currently. You may see a guest post every once in awhile in this series, and that's why we're doing it. We are constantly out trying awesome beers, and would love to share the love with you all. It's Brew Love.
To kick things off, the only beer I brought back from my last trip to the southwest was a 4-pack of La Cumbre's Elevated IPA. This may have become my favorite IPA. Even with all the amazing IPA's made here in Colorado, I have to applaud our neighbors to the south for creating this awesome brew.As soon as you crack the can, you're hit with the huge aromas. "Drink me. Drink me now..." the can reads. According to La Cumbre, they brew this IPA with "an obscene amount of the finest hops known to man" and you can definitely tell right off the bat. What are considered the "finest" hops? Only half the list is made up of Simcoe, Mosaic, Citra, and Nelson Sauvin. Yeah, I can deal with those.Citrus and pineapple notes waft as Elevated IPA pours a brilliant golden amber. Wow. It reminds me of Pliny, Modus, and all my other favorite IPA's all at once. The flavor, while delicate, has a slight chewy-ness that helps offset the barrage of hops. This beer is almost more tart than bitter, akin to the citrus aromas in the nose. La Cumbre has made an IPA that is wonderfully balanced, and even at 7.2% ABV, it's quite an easy sipper.
If you ever have a chance to head to the Land of Enchantment, make sure you either stop in at La Cumbre, or grab a case to bring home. It's that good. Cheers!
Geek Facts:
Awards:GABF Gold Medal Winner, American Style IPA, 2011World Beer Cup, Bronze Medal, American Style IPA, 2012Starting Gravity: 1.068Final Gravity: 1.013Alcohol By Volume: 7.2%IBUs: 100Hops: Hallertauer Herkules (CO2 extract), CTZ, Centennial, Chinook, Simcoe, Mosaic, Citra, Nelson Sauvin
