Battle of the Beers!! Double IPA Edition

Alpine Pure Hoppiness
"A West Coast Double IPA
So mega-hopped it will take you to hop heaven. We’ve used hops in the boil, more hops in the giant hopback, and added to that, an incredible amount of dry-hopping for that cutting-edge “hop bite.” Once you’ve tasted this unique beer, all others pale in comparison."

                                              - Alpine Beer Company

Karl Strauss Big Barrel   
"When we kicked-off this series of intense hoppy beers, we wanted to go big. Imported New Zealand Nelson Sauvin hops provide a vibrant tropical aroma that raises eyebrows and expectations. Aggressive amounts of Warrior and Ahtanum hops produce an assertive bitterness that stands out against a firm malt backbone. Balanced even at 90 IBUs, Big Barrel leaves a considerable first impression that serves as a prelude of things to come."

                                                     - Karl Strauss Brewing Company

            VS

       Alpine Beer Company              :Brewery:    Karl Strauss Brewing Company

           Pure Hoppiness                       :Beer:                             Big Barrel

             Double IPA                             :Style:                       Double IPA

                     8%                              :ABV:                              9%

Today we feature a battle from 2 hop heavy double IPA's brewed right here in San Diego. Karl Strauss's Big Barrel boasts using the tropical and fruity Nelson Sauvin hops, and while Alpine beer company's famed IPA Nelson is named after the New Zealand hop, I believe Pure Hoppiness utilizes the tasty hop as well. Which is another reason why I felt this would be a great head to head battle. 

Most of you already know my love for Alpine Beer Company as they have done my palate no wrong and the streak continues as Pure Hoppiness an excellent double IPA. Rich gold body capped off with its pearl head gives the beer an very inviting appeal. Hints of pine, grapefruit and peach fill the nose. The taste is a tropical ride full of sweet fruity flavors followed by a smooth bitterness. Definitely worth the find and the trip out to Alpine. 

Aroma: 9

Appearance: 5

Flavor: 9

Palate: 4
Style Rating: 10/10

Overall: 27/30

Karl Strauss's Big Barrel is my favorite beer from the historic San Diego brewery. It was the first beer I had tasted that used the Nelson Sauvin hops,  although at the time I wasn't aware of my eventual love for the hop. Citrus and floral scents fill the aroma with hints of peach. The malt bill gives the beer an amber body, crowned with a slight off white head, as well as strong back bone to pair with the fruity, sweet flavors that transfer into a slick bitter ending. Big Barrel is top notch and is highly recommended. 

Aroma: 8

Appearance: 4

Flavor: 8

Palate: 4
Style Rating: 9/10

Overall: 24/30

The Winner?: Pure Hoppiness takes this one. While both double IPA's are worthy of your time and money, PH takes your palate to a whole new level of stellar beer. What blew me away, and probably what makes Alpine Beer Company's tiny brewery so incredible, was how fresh the beer always is. With most IPA's, you should drink them as fresh as they come as the longer they age, the first thing that starts dissolving is the hop flavors. When I went up last Tuesday, they had JUST bottle Nelson the previous day. If you go up today, they JUST bottled Pure Hoppiness this past Monday. I guess that is the perk of having such a small brewery. So go to Alpine, get some amazingly fresh beer and follow their motto: drink Alpine of go to bed. 

DAR. KCCO!

Alpine Beer Company - Nelson

"An outstanding hop from New Zealand, Nelson Sauvin, is generously used throughout the brewing and dry-hopping of this unique beer. European rye is added for a smooth, malty addition to flavor."

                                                    -  Alpine Beer Company

Brewery: Alpine Beer Company

Beer: Nelson

Style: IPA

ABV: 7%

I'll admit, I was not familiar with Alpine Beer Company until late last year. As a work commitment I was asked to drive out to Yuma, Arizona and it was during that long drive that I decided to take advantage of my eastward journey and make a stop in Alpine on the way back. Living in Chula Vista with a wife and two kids, it's tough to justify going out to Alpine for beer, especially beer that I was not familiar with. It's not like you see many Alpine bottles at the local bottle shop/liquor store either. So I had asked a few friends of mine, craft beer lovers like yourselves, if they wanted anything from the brewery. My good friend Steve Nelson, aka big red, of course asked for a bottle of Nelson. Be it fate or be it luck, I am truly grateful for these series of events. 

I picked up a bottle of Nelson myself and it kicked off my love for Alpine Beer Company, I have been HUGE advocate for them ever since. Nelson is an excellent IPA! The body is Kate Beckinsale in Van Helsing, sexy. Nelson models its bright golden body and is topped off with a marvelous white head. The aroma is fresh and full of hoppy peach and mango scents, it makes the beer very inviting to drink. The initial flavor pleasures your palate with a smooth malt flavor (Rye malt) and hints of tropical fruits, courtesy of the Nelson Suavin hops. It finishes with a sleek, fruity and flavorful bitterness that makes this beer very easy to drink. Nelson Sauvin is a type of hop grown in New Zealand and when used correctly, gives a beer an amazing flavor. Alpine Beer Company uses it perfectly in Nelson. 

There are other beers who utilize the powerful flavors or the Nelson Sauvin hops; Mother Earth's Kismet, Karl Strauss's Big Barrel and Widmer's Nelson Imperial IPA to name a few. If these are some beers that you like, you are a fan of the tropical fruit flavors of the Nelson Sauvin hops. 

We can all agree that it would be great to see Alpine Beer Company's beers readily available but as stated in an earlier post, the low supply and rarity of their beers adds to their mystique. If you have the time, take a trip out to Alpine and visit their brewery and you can see for yourself why their production is so low. Their brewery is tiny, but you can bet you will get your money's worth with any of their beers. 

Aroma: 9

Appearance: 5

Flavor: 9

Palate: 5
Style Rating: 10/10

Overall: 28/30

Let me help you. KCCO

Alpine Beer Company - Exponential Hoppiness

"A West Coast Triple IPA
Very popular. A complex hopping method where each hop addition is double the previous amount. More hops in the hopback and then two dry-hop sessions. The second dry-hop session is with whole hops and oak chips. "                                                            - Alpine Beer Company

Brewery: Alpine Beer Company

Beer: Exponential Hoppiness

Style: Triple IPA

ABV: 10.75%

San Diego is home to many craft breweries. Some of them are good, offering a few oustanding beers, some of them have separated themselves from the rest, by offering a great lineup of mainstay beers, and then there are others who seem like they do no wrong; Alpine Beer Company is one of those breweries. Duet, Nelson, Pure Hoppiness, Captain Stout and Alpine Ale are all amazing beers and I would drink them on a regular basis if I could. So when I do get the chance of getting a bottle of theirs, I jump on it. This time I was fortunate enough to get a bottle of Exponential Hoppiness. 

EH=PH^2 describes the beer as being a version of Pure Hoppiness (squared) and as Alpine states, the hopping method in complex where each hop addition is double the previous amount. The result is a tremendously hoppy and flavorful triple IPA. Hints of grapefruit come through the hops along with a slight maltyness. The amber-orange body is inviting and disguises the power of Exponential Hoppiness. Initial flavor is true to its name, hoppy and bitter and marries great with the malt base, finishing with a strong and refreshing bitterness. GREAT IIIPA!!! Highly recommended. Keep your eyes out for more Alpine Beer Company beer reviews. 

Aroma: 8

Appearance: 5

Flavor: 8

Palate: 4
Style Rating: 10/10

Overall: 25/30

Get Low, Get Dirty and have yourself a good time. KCCO

Alpine Beer Company - Alpine Ale

"Our namesake ale represents everything a good, well balanced pale ale should be: malty but not too sweet, refreshing but not too bitter, full-bodied but not too heavy, lively but not over carbonated. A clean, everyday beer that leaves your palate begging for more."

                                    - Alpine Beer Company

Brewery: Alpine Beer Company

Beer: Alpine Ale

Style: Pale Ale

ABV: 5.5%

Alpine beer company has quickly become one of my favorite breweries in San Diego. I'll admit that I did not have much experience with them until the past 5 months but Pat and the gang know how to make great beer. Most of you think of Alpine and automatically think Nelson, Pure Hoppiness and Duet - all of which are fantastic and will have their own beer reviews soon - but all of their beers are great.  However Alpine beer is not readily available at most bottle shops - sometimes you just have to ask, they might have some in the back - so your best bet is to go to the brewery. 

Yes, I am a Walking Dead fan and the pint glassware set was a gift from my awesome wife. (You'll see more glasses in the future). Ending it's third season this past Sunday with another good episode, did you happen watch it? I love how the Governor lost it and gunned down all of his people, it shows the character progressing into the mad man that he is portrayed in the comics. Andrea dying is still something I am ambivalent on, she was not my favorite character by a long shot but I felt she could have done more to help the group. Maybe she shouldn't have taken her time getting the damn pliers. Oh well, her time was up but at least she went out like a champ. I digress, can't wait for season 4 in October and now back to the beer.

I picked up Alpine Ale because its been awhile since I have had a good pale ale and I figured Alpine would get it right, and they did. The golden body is very inviting as it seems like a beer you can drink all day. The aroma is mild and mixed with hints of light hoppiness and light malty-ness. Great tasting beer with a refreshing and light malty initial flavor followed by a slight bitter end. Extremely well balanced, great job Alpine.  

Aroma: 6

Appearance: 4

Flavor: 6

Palate: 4
Style Rating: 9/10

Overall: 20/30

The Walking Dead is a great show, but really guys?!
Want to see more Walking Dead Mistakes? KCCO