Port Brewing Company- Wipeout IPA: Par For The Course

It has been a crazy 24 hours.  I got to see Ben Folds the other night followed up by a round of golf the very next day.  I can assure you that this occurrence rarely happens as it has been over 5 years since the last time I was able to bust out the sticks.  Despite being a little rusty, I shot much better than I thought I would and still will never hit well off the tee, irons were working it though.  Needless to say I am completely wiped out.  So when I decided to head to the fridge to enjoy/review a beer, one in particular stood out above the others as its name not only implied how I felt but last night Ben Folds busted out “Wipeout” on the drums and it was sick!  So it only seems fitting that this evenings companion will be Wipeout IPA from Port Brewing Company.  Port’s Hop 15 was awesome and I am expecting the same from Wipeout IPA.

Port Brewing Company classifies this beer as an India Pale Ale (IPA) and their website describes Wipeout IPA as, “This one is dedicated to everyone who has gotten up at the butt crack of dawn, headed towards the shores and found it 4-6 feet and offshore only to find 30 of your “buddies” have already claimed the peak.  As you paddle out, a swell arrives from nowhere signaling your turn to go. The surf Gods are shinning on you today.  You turn, stroke like mad for the wave. Standing up you are alone and blammo you Wipeout….blowing the only chance of a right hander all to yourself.  You know who you are. We’ve all been there too. It’s inside each and every one of us.  Welcome to the waters of Wipeout IPA, a massively hopped India Pale Ale with enough substance and body to overcome even the worst and most tragic of on the water spills.  We brew Wipeout IPA for everyone- especially those hardy souls who brave the cold winter water and monster sets produced by an amazing northwest swell.  Only a tidal wave of hops can overcome the surging tide of malt that is required to produce a beer of this shape. We invite you to drop in, hang on and kick out the backside.  That is, unless you enjoy wiping out and all the glory that goes with it.”

Wipeout IPA pours a hazy golden color with yellow edges and a fat 2” cream colored head and has a grapefruit/piney aroma with a trace of peach & malt underneath and is 7.0% ABV.

Birdie.  Right beer, right time.  Wipeout IPA hit the spot and was a great way to end a damn near perfect last 24 hours.  Now if only my golf game would improve.  Hop 15 was par for the course and Wipeout IPA matched it.  It has a consistent citrusy bite throughout and finishes more towards the piney hop bitter side.  The finish lingers like that perfect putt that doesn’t go in but hangs on the edge of the cup and you’re more than happy to wait it out to see if it falls in.  What’s surprising is that there is no hint of any malt or fruit sweetness as indicated by the aroma, which for me is good because I love the bite of a good bitter IPA.  If you are a fan of the west coast brews, then Wipeout IPA is a great way to cap off a round of golf, a great concert or at the end of any epic 24 hour day.

ABV: 7.0%

Consumed: Nonic Pint

Verdict: Buy A Twelve Pack