LIfe and Beer: Parenthood and IPA in a Can

Life:

The outlandish joy of watching my child grow and flourish is rivaled only by the crushing pain of seeing her in (or hearing of her) distress.

I cannot fix it all for her. I do not want to fix it all for her. But my theoretical pacifism may be tested before this is all over. If you pray, pray for those that hurt my daughter, because I'm pretty sure I could take that 4 year old DOWN!

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Beer:

Disclaimer: I am getting over some kind of cold. My tasting might not be quite accurate.



I have tasted a few beers from cans. It is a trend in the micro/craft brewing world to can beer. Oskar Blues, New Belgium and several others around my neck of the woods have started canning their brews. I have tasted several rather mild beers from cans and have enjoyed what I've tasted.

So, last week when I went to my beer store and saw Upslope IPA in a can I picked one up. Not only was this the first IPA I've seen in a can, it would be the first IPA I've tasted in several months. I've been drinking a lot of holiday ales and crisp pilsners.



Upslope is a brewery in Boulder. From their website/blog: "Brewed with Patagonian hops, high quality Rahr malts, snowmelt and yeast, Upslope’s ales satisfy a wide range of beer drinkers. We have chosen to package our beer in cans because they are portable, light, crushable and the most recyclable container on the planet."

As soon as I opened up the can I could smell the hops. I was not holding the can up near my face, it was arm's length from my face. Seriously, I smelled the hops within seconds of opening the can. Of course, it smelled hoppy too; but not overwhelmingly. It smelled like I had taken a hop flower, rubbed it around in my hand and inhaled. That might sound overwhelming to some, but it was a very nice aroma.

This is fitting since the first sip tasted like I had then popped that hop flower in my mouth and started chewing on it. It was one of the most unique tastes I have encountered in a beer. It wasn't too bitter or too floral. I guess the best way to describe it is a whole-hop taste.

I think that part of this might be that I had a cold and some of my tasting ability was diminished. I asked my wife to taste it and she said that it was bitter, but not overwhelmingly hoppy. I described what I tasted and she just shook her head "no" and returned to what she was doing.

Either way, I finished the beer and (as all beers do) it mellowed out as I drank it. I'll definitely be trying this beer again, along with other of Upslope's brews. You know, buying local and all that.