It’s the big dog in Californian drinking .A strong , full bodied beer that packs a punch , You check out any supermarket and it’s IPA that dominates the shelves . They’re obsessed with it …,, . Whadya do ? No choice , you gotta drink it . In Australia we are also in a beer revolution , but this might be a snap shot of where we might be heading . We’ve got a good balance in varieties back home ,, but here …. it’s only IPA. Don’t be confused Aussies ; Bud, Millers , Coors , are all old school beers that are under siege . The image of the Yanks drinking soft , flavourless , watered down beers is another cliched image that doesn’t match reality . .. Of course ,I feel I’m a perfect test case : an Aussie brought up on VB , introduced ( Dale Verhagen , god bless you) on the virtues of European and then boutique beer and now living in California. I’m ready , I’m here for Christ’s sakes and I’m drinking it ,…. and shit I like it . It’s not an easy beer to drink , not easy to like 1st up , but it lays its roots in the palette. It’s forward,strong , pungent , grips your gums , your teeth . It’s an acquired taste that taints the taste buds . There’s no going back. It’s a beer best drunk on an empty stomach , the heavy hopped nature will bloat you quick with food . The problem with this beer is it feels as if you’ve come to the end of the line , anything with less punch or flavour is rendered gutless . Yeah true , I feel I’ve earned the right to thump my chest and say I love IPA , but every beer has its place ….. second to IPA . 
Get ready , I reckon it’s coming . High alcohol, cut with fruit juices ( yes , it seems wrong , but tastes good ) and extremely diverse ………….. The IPA revolution , love it.
January 14 IPA, California’s beer
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