The fact that this was called coast-to-coast
IPA may be seriously wonder whether or not
50 West (the road) actually made it the whole way from one coast to the next. So, I looked it up. Turns out, it does. In fact, it's got its own Wikipedia page. I've traveled from one state to the next quite a bit recently, and I don't think I ever took this road at any point. Is that some kind of personal flaw? It's possible, but this blog isn't about my failures in life; this blog is about the joy of beer.
The very hazy orange-amber beer has a dust devil of debris making a nice little funnel cloud in the center of the beer with a smattering of small white bits on the ground like a miniature destroyed barn in the Midwest. The head is pretty substantial, and it at least tries to leave a little bit of lacing on the sides of the glass. The aroma is citrus, pine, and a bit of funk. Is there supposed to be funk in this? Well, that's what I'm smelling.
First sip doesn't bring me any the funk I smelled. Instead, it's kind of sweet with a bready malt and citrus peel mixing with light pine and noticeable resin. I'm pretty sure they are more citrus tastes that are buried under there, but a sip isn't going to let you know what those are. Instead, I'm going straight in for a swig.
Tip-in is very gentle carbonation tingle as the orange, papaya, and grapefruit are all really mild and sumptuous as they fill up the mouth. The middle shifts down a gear and increases the bready malt and pine, but not so much that they become disharmonious with the fruits. Instead, the fruits simply subside a bit to allow room for the other flavors. The finish is a bit tart and a bit bitter as the resin increases to meet with the citrus rind and pine.
Bottom Line: This is an easily drinkable beer that you don't have to think too much about when you drink it.
3.5/5