Session # 123 | Green Flash | West Coast IPA | 7.3% ABV
India Pale Ale | Vista, California | Rating: 95/100
Thanksgiving break is over. I hope you all had great times and great food. Back to bidness now… The west coast has become one of (if not THE) premier places for American-style India Pale Ales. In fact, many people will refer to the taste of a beer as being “west coast” specifically. Green Flash’s West Coast IPA not only bares the name it pays homage to, it’s also a true representation of the style. Having been sent this beer in a trade, I could not wait to get it on the show as soon as possible to enjoy the freshness first hand. What poured out is very traditional of the style, which is a slightly hazy amber orange and honey color with an off-white head. The aromas are immense as simcoe, cascade, centennial, and columbus hops immediately hit the nose. The flavor delivers everything the nose promises. There is loads of grapefruit, pine, and citrus. Tangerine and over-ripened peach are close behind as the bitterness leaves the tongue and remains for several minutes. I’ve heard good things about this beer, and now you can add me to the list of fans. The Green Flash West Coast IPA is a really solid beer and one I will definitely try to get again one day.
Up Next: Hopry Special # 10 (Tim Pratt Interview)
Others: HotD Blue Dot, Ballast Point Sculpin, Firestone Walker Union Jack
Check out all sessions of The Hopry here.
This beer can be found in these states.
On the iPod: The Black Angels “Young Men Dead”
Thank you for your continued support. Please rate this review below…
Posted by Kelly on December 1, 2010 at 8:35 AM
Awesome review!
I got a few of these in a beer trade yesterday. Can’t wait!
Posted by thehopry on December 1, 2010 at 9:10 AM
Thank you. You won’t be disappointed with this if you like ‘em West Coast…
Posted by Big Mike on December 1, 2010 at 9:13 AM
Welcome back!
I must be spoiled. I can get sixers of this all day long for $9.99 but rarely purchase any. After this stellar review I might have to snatch one up and pop a few caps on these bitches.
Cheers!
Big Mike
Posted by thehopry on December 1, 2010 at 9:27 AM
You absolutely need to get some of these. And yeah it’s good to be back. Loved the break, but missed posting reviews, too.
Posted by birdslayer on December 1, 2010 at 10:01 AM
Pretty solid beer. If you like this style of ipa, I was just in san fran and I though Kern rivers – just outstanding IPA tasted allot like green flashes, but I enjoyed it allot more. Try to get your hands on that. Also, had Alpine – Nelson and that blew my mind as well.
Thanks for the review and hope you can find or had the beers I mentioned.
Posted by thehopry on December 1, 2010 at 10:39 AM
I have heard of both of them, but have not had either. Mainly because they are not available here, but also because I haven’t traded for them. Thank you for the comments.
Posted by Jon on December 3, 2010 at 9:52 AM
I’m heading out to Kern in a couple of weeks. Might have a late Christmas present for you.
Posted by Jon on December 3, 2010 at 10:19 AM
Oh, and I almost put some Alpine in to the box with the Green Flash, but didn’t want to give you too many beers you had to drink right away.
Posted by Brian on December 1, 2010 at 5:31 PM
I have to agree with the recommendations of Kern River Just Outstanding IPA, and Alpine Nelson. Both are fantastic. Usually South Bay Drugs has them available.
Posted by Bobby Digital on December 1, 2010 at 8:01 PM
Alpine makes some killer IPAs.
Posted by Steve on December 1, 2010 at 1:42 PM
You should try Green Flash’s Hop Head Red
Posted by thehopry on December 1, 2010 at 1:56 PM
I actually have one in the fridge right now. So I may dig into it sometime this week…
Posted by Big Mike on December 1, 2010 at 6:04 PM
Thanks to this review I ran out and grabbed a sixer. Man, I forgot how beautiful a beer this is. It’s right on from look, to smell, to taste it’s a text west coast ipa. Thanks for reminding me about this beer. Sometimes I overlook the really good easy to get beers in search of the more rare (not always better) hard to find beers.
Cheers!
Big Mike
Posted by cameron on December 6, 2010 at 10:23 AM
This beer started it all for me. Thanks for the review. I had the Hop Red Head this weekend actually. Its excellent as well. As for Kern, I gotta make a trip up there. I have a friend in Bakersfield I thought id never visit. I really want to try the class x bourbon barrel aged stout and the citra DIPA that are on tap. Thanks guys!