Fort Collins Brewery- Rocky Mountain IPA: Nothing says India like Colorado

There are two campaigns in the emerging IPA arms race, one is the race to develop the perfect Hop Hand grenade, the other is the fight to develop the ultimate Bitter Bomb. When the Armageddon happens I am painting my face for the Hop Harbingers, which is very unfortunate for Fort Collins Brewery's Rocky Mountain IPA.

Let’s get one thing straight; this is a beautiful beer. It is an awesome amber hue, with a clean foam and a strong, floral, almost sweet smell. So what is the down side? This brew is just too damn bitter. I love IPA’s to death. However, too much bitterness is just a distraction. Anyone can brew an extremely bitter brew. To stand out in today’s swelling beer market, your beer needs to have an undeniable uniqueness. Unfortunately this beer is just, unforgettably, forgettable.

I don’t want to sound too harsh in my review. This is not a bad beer at all. There are many people who are going to love this beer and rightfully so. If you’re a bitter IPA lover, check this out. I just didn’t get what I was looking for from this experience.

ABV: 6.2%

Consumed: Globe Glass

Verdict: Buy A Six Pack

Fort Collins Brewery- Rocky Mountain IPA: Do They Do Anything Wrong In Ft Collins?

I have always loved Colorado.  What is there not to like?  Colorado has big beautiful skies, mountains, clean air, tons of sunshine and oh yeah…breweries.  As previously mentioned, I am a huge fan of the New Belgium Brewery in Fort Collins.  Months back I discovered and equally magnificent brewery was located in the same town, Fort Collins Brewery.  I’m not sure why but the beer coming out of Fort Collins may be the finest in the world.  Bold statement?  Yes.  Am I wrong?  No.  Due to my huge IPA bender that I am currently on I decided that I would grab for a Rocky Mountain IPA from the Fort Collins Brewery.

Fort Collins Brewery classifies this brew as an India Pale Ale and their website describes Rocky Mountain IPA as “Balanced To Perfection: An I.P.A. by definition is liberally hopped and higher in alcohol.  We made Rocky Mountain I.P.A. by dry hopping for an intense floral aroma and adding a generous helping of malt to create a backbone stable enough to support the characteristic bitterness of the beer.”  The label states, “Massive floral aroma lures you in while hop bitterness and malty sweetness mingle in symmetry.  After all, great balance is key when you are only standing on three legs.”

This bitter brew poured a dark copper color with a fat 1 ½” light tan head and a light hoppy aroma with a 6.2% ABV and an 80 IBU rating.

I was greatly impressed with FCB’s Z Lager and I am equally if not more impressed with their Rocky Mountain IPA.  I think that I am ready to make a bold enough statement and say that this IPA might be one of my favorites so far.  From the perfect bitterness to the super smooth finish, this IPA is head and shoulders above most of the IPAs out there.  I’m not sure what secret those guys in Fort Collins are hording but something is so right there that I want to up and move just to bask in their awesomeness!!  Great job guys, Rocky Mountain IPA rocks like socks…as my twins would put it!

ABV: 6.2%

Consumed: Imperial Pint

Verdict: Buy A Case