Beer in cans have been around forever – but for craft breweries in America it’s kind of a new thing. There are only one or two handfuls of craft breweries actually canning their beer that I can think of so far. California’s 21st Amendment is one of the most recent that comes to mind, which I should be covering their Monk’s Blood soon (so stay tuned). And here in the Kansas City area we are starting to see canned craft beers from breweries like Caldera (Ashland, Oregon) and Durango, Colorado’s Ska Brewing (both with great IPAs). Modus Hoperandi is the most recent craft beer I’ve had from a can and let me tell you…it’s a great one! Even the small hole on top of the can unleashes a monstrous amount of piney resinous hops. The term “dank” is often used to describe these types of IPAs and boy howdy is this thing D-A-N-K. I love it! For the video review I decided to drink this beer straight from the can just to mix things up a bit. I mean hey, if they’re going to take the time to can it that’s how I want to try it. The following day, however, I tried it by pouring it in a glass. I can say without question that as amazing as it is straight from the can, it is even more explosive in a glass. I mean how does one lose either way? You don’t. Not much else I can say about this beer other than you have to find some if it is available in your area. If you are a fan of explosive IPAs, I can assure you that you will not be let down by this gem in a can. Caldera’s IPA is also nice, but this one is just magic!
For a larger HD experience click here.
This beer can be found in these states.
On the iPod: The Flaming Lips
Brewery: Ska Brewing
Beer: Modus Hoperandi
Style: India Pale Ale
Location: Durango, Colorado
ABV: 7%
Rating: 95/100
Posted by Kelly on December 17, 2009 at 5:47 PM
Ha ha, that’s awesome that you’re doing a canned beer today, let’s just say you’ve got a good amount more coming your way in the mail!
Cheers!
Posted by Jon Rogers on January 1, 2010 at 11:33 PM
Glad you like the beer. One of my favorites. Just as an FYI based on your comment in the video, Oskar Blues, who I’m really not that big of a fan of does make a very decent Imperial Stout in a can. Also, just wanted to add a personal plug for my favorite hoppy beer if you can find it, Coronado brewing’s Hoppy Daze is divine.
Posted by thehopry on January 2, 2010 at 12:17 AM
Hey Jon – thank you very much for the comment. I had not heard of Coronado Brewing until now so I looked it up and saw that distribution is very limited. Knowing that it comes from San Diego and that it’s an IPA, I can only imagine that it’s very good. I’d be happy to trade with you sometime for a bottle if you are interested. I’m always looking to review good beers that don’t get enough press – especially good IPAs…
Posted by Jon Rogers on January 2, 2010 at 12:42 AM
Funny. Just saw you were open to trading beer and sent you an email while you posted this. Being I’m someone who packs beer home with me from where ever I visit to give it a try, I would be happy to trade.
Posted by Bill Cort on May 27, 2010 at 10:34 PM
Hi Mark-
Doin’ a bit of research for the Snowmass Chili and brew fest the 1st weekend of June, to see what new and familiar brews will be there, and up popped your link. Amazingly enough, I was able to grab from my fridge a cold M. Hoperandi to enjoy along with your review.
As a whitewater rafter, canned beer is very important, as broken glass and flimsy rubber rafts are really not such a good idea. Oskar Blues and Ska brews were our main choices on our Grand canyon trip 2 years ago. Even better was the Breckenridge Avalanche that was available in 16-oz plastic bottles with re-sealable screw-top lids, haven’t seen these for a few years. Sure beats having muddy river water in with the brew!
In reviewing the list of brewies pouring at Snowmass, I came across “Craft Brew Alliance” with RedHook, Widmer, and Kona. hmmm, didn’t RH sell out to Bud a few years back? didn’t those guys attempt to pawn off “Shock Top” on me last year? there are plenty of other local and semi local options, some that I can’t get locally otherwise, to waste my tastebuds on “psuedomicrobrews” Didn’t I just visit a “brewpub” in the Phoenix airport, that had ONLY bud products plus Sam Adams on tap? I was expecting an outpost of a real local PHX brewer.
Notable among those I can’t get locally are Eske’s (Taos, NM) Santa Fe Brewing, and Del Norte. (I’m in Grand Jct, CO, just large enough for one lousy brewpub, one really good one (Kannah Creek) and one good-but-in-transition (Palisade, open but no longer bottling) fortunately we can get Ska and other Durango brews, and most Denver/front range brews.
Looking forward to some more reviews. Let’s see what else is in the back of the fridge.