LaConner Brewing Co.
LaConner, WA
Available: WA
LaConner Brewing Co. (established in 1995) is a family-owned brewpub located in the historic waterfront village of LaConner, WA. The IPA is their flagship beer.
Alcohol (wt.): 5.57
Alcohol (vol.): 7
Color: 5-10 Lovabond
Bitterness: 134
Original Gravity: 1068
Final gravity: 1012
Malts used: Crisp Marris Otter
Hops used: Warrior and Amarillo
The haziness of this deep copper ale indicates bottle-conditioning, as does its not inconsiderable sediment, and the intensely hoppy aroma suggests dry-hopping, as well. The result is a hophead’s delight, with massive citrus peel on the nose and a body dominated by sharply grapefruity, rooty bitterness and, underneath it all, some slight caramelly malt and a yeasty tang. The finish, which stays unapologetically hoppy, also shows some warming alcohol. I’d be happier with more balancing malt, but perhaps alongside a spicy curry I’d change my mind.
You don't have to stick your nose anywhere near this fragrantly hopped ale to appreciate the floral niceties. Very seductive right from the start. Fruity, hoppy floral and toasted malt characters proliferate. Hop flavor is assertive on the back of the palate, shifting the balance towards aggressive bitterness, rather than malty. Relatively light bodied. Best with food and would go great with cream induced cheeses.
The beer pours a hazy honey color and a swirl of the bottle reveals a vortex of yeast at the bottom. The aroma is full of fresh grassy hops. On the palate, the beer seems soft and slightly sweet before the hop attack steps in and scours the tongue. The bitterness is broad, tough and lasting, wiping out the malt. A tonic for hopheads and a worthy opponent for the spicy tuna rolls at your local sushi counter.
Stephen Beaumont boarded his first plane at the age of 15 and hasn’t looked back since, obsessing about travel to the point that he gets nervous if he doesn’t have a ticket or two stacked on the corner of his desk. When he’s not running around in search of new taste experiences, he makes his home in Toronto, where a new cultural experience is only as far away as the next neighborhood.
Author of the New Complete Joy of Homebrewing, founder of the Great American Beer Festival and a Beer Examiner at www.examiner.com, Papazian is a leading voice in beer and brewing.
Internationally recognized brewer and expert on traditional beer, Garrett Oliver is the brewmaster of the Brooklyn Brewery and the author of The Brewmaster's Table.
