IPA Taste Test Tourney Febraury 2015 PART II - First Round Complete

Below are the results for the final two brackets for the first round.

Previous results here.
Introduction to IPA taste Tourney 2015 here.

3- Ballast Point Sculpin IPA vs.  6 - Long Trail Limbo IPA



Limbo, like Schafly Tasmanian IPA, uses Australian hops (mixed with Pacific Northwest hops). Just like TIPA, it appears that Australian hops result in a milder tasting IPA. Credit to Long Trail for making Limbo aromatic with hints of Balsam Fir. This makes a pleasant, if different, flavor. The aroma mixes with the mildness very well, allowing the subtlety of the hops to be present but never overwhelming. The transition from bottle to glass makes a fuller beer with a deep taste - the same Limbo just moreso. This isn't a bad thing.

Sculpin is just a fine beer. balanced sublimely between taste, flavor, and aroma. Transitioning to the IPA glass also makes all of these attributes fill out. The IPA glass adds body. Again, this isn't a bad thing.

So we have two balanced, aromatic IPAs with one being more mild than the other but with both never allowing the hops to be overpowering. The deepness of Limbo made it a close contest but the balance and aromatics of Sculpin prevails.

4-Shipyard Monkey Fist IPA vs. Founders All Day Session IPA



As mentioned before Founders All Day Session IPA is the first IPA in the history of this tourney to be from a can. First off, Founders All Day IPA certainly is a session beer. Easily drinkable with a smooth, rounded out taste.  The transition from can to IPA glass fills out the taste. The good, easy taste remains in the glass, while this drink takes you for a walk around the block.

Conversely, Monkey Fist has a compact flavor while in the bottle. As if the proverbial monkey fist is clenched tight and then all at once opens and releases.  All this with a nice dose of hoppiness. Mind you, the hops are not overbearing but you know it is in the room with you. The IPA glass spreads out the flavor and allows a bouquet of aromatics that envelope rather than being thrown.

It was an interesting contest head-to-head. During the comparison, the full bouquet that Monkey Fist has to offer shows up and the unclenched fist of powerful flavors not only shows up but hangs around. Meanwhile, the balance and good nature of Founders All Day IPA continues to walk you around the block but this time it is holding to hand. Founders, may be an all around better beer but it's not a better IPA than Monkey Fist.



Semi-Finals coming up

Captain Lawrence IPA vs.  Ballast Point Sculpin IPA
Sierra Nevada Celebration Fresh Hop IPA vs. Shipyard Monkey Fist IPA