Port Brewing - Wipe Out I.P.A.

A Hop Smörgåsbord

Any beer by Port Brewing is worth close scrutiny and this West Coast-style IPA is no exception! Like the crashing surf on the label, the head is nice and fluffy, but not persistent. To the nose, there are overtones of pine and winter herbs. On the tongue, the flavor is extremely bold with Amarillo, Cascade, Centennial, Simcoe and Summit hops all vying for your attention with a complex, deliciously piquant melange. Underneath is a warm, malty base, keeping the hops from blowing your head off as well as adding a hint of pecan and molasses. The finish is a lingering resonance of lemon rind and figs. As of this moment, it's one of my favorite IPAs. I'd drink a cold pint of this with 5-star-hot Thai yellow curry chicken with bamboo shoots and bell peppers over brown rice.

St. Peter's - English ale

An Herbal Boquet.

Saint Peter's Brewery are the purveyors of this cloudy golden brew. Their catalog of imports to the USA are certainly unique and varied and this ale is no exception! On the nose it presents a grassy, citrus scent with a hint of malt. On the tongue, the surprising grapefruit-tart base almost covers the malted barley with its strident herbal character, though the sweet malt finally wins through in the subtle molasses-like finish. With notes of rhubarb and endive, I would pair this with a sharp English Cheddar and toasted Brown Bread.