The Dudeism Forum

So this afternoon, myself and a couple of dude like buds, did the Redondo Beach Brewery and checked out today's special brew...

Redondo Beach Brewery's Alpine Grapefruit Sculpin Beer (A fresh citrus brew)

A review...

Our Award-winning IPA, with a citrus twist.

Our Grapefruit Sculpin is the latest take on our signature IPA. Some may say there are few ways to improve Sculpin's unique flavor, but the tart freshness of grapefruit perfectly complements our IPA's citrusy hop character. Grapefruit's a winter fruit, but this easy-drinking ale tastes like summer.



Outside view...



Glass patio...

Very Dudely establishment.
How was the Grapefruit beer?
I've typically been a bit of a beer purist when it comes to flavored beers but lately I've bent the rules a bit for some worthy brews.

Looks (and sounds) excellent. I bet they used Citra hops for that based on the profile. Mmmmmm, Citra...

Quote from: BikerDude on April 30, 2015, 08:34:59 AM
Very Dudely establishment.
How was the Grapefruit beer?
I've typically been a bit of a beer purist when it comes to flavored beers but lately I've bent the rules a bit for some worthy brews.

To me, it wasn't all that "Grapefruity." It had just enough Grapefruit taste to be there and add a nice hint of it. They don't over do it is what I'm saying. Nice beer, actually. You might like it, mang. 

Quote from: jgiffin on April 30, 2015, 05:08:49 PM
Looks (and sounds) excellent. I bet they used Citra hops for that based on the profile. Mmmmmm, Citra...

Fuckin' eh, they might. A very dude like beer to me.

Quote from: DigitalBuddha on April 30, 2015, 06:41:11 PM

Quote from: BikerDude on April 30, 2015, 08:34:59 AM
Very Dudely establishment.
How was the Grapefruit beer?
I've typically been a bit of a beer purist when it comes to flavored beers but lately I've bent the rules a bit for some worthy brews.

To me, it wasn't all that "Grapefruity." It had just enough Grapefruit taste to be there and add a nice hint of it. They don't over do it is what I'm saying. Nice beer, actually. You might like it, mang. 

That's the key.
I got turned off of flavored beers with the early ones that have stuff like Pumkin Pie spices. It's like chewing on potpourri or sipping an old lady's perfume.
But some of the orange flavored and even the chocolate have been a pleasant surprise. I'd still stick with a good old stout or IPA or something.
Sierra Nevada has become my stand by although right now the fridge is stocked with Saranac IPA. Local brewery. Good stuff.
 

Coincidence?
Earlier this week we were toasting a compeer, who got moved (against his will) to another project, at a nice place called the Hopyard. I ordered a grapefruit sculpin and it was pretty damn tasty. Don't remember the brewery, but I'm pretty sure it was closer to us (Bay Area) than Redondo Beach.

JG: Citra hops - amen! Used them in my last homebrew and will use them in the next. Great aroma!

Quote from: mrmadman on May 01, 2015, 12:07:47 PM
Coincidence?
Earlier this week we were toasting a compeer, who got moved (against his will) to another project, at a nice place called the Hopyard. I ordered a grapefruit sculpin and it was pretty damn tasty. Don't remember the brewery, but I'm pretty sure it was closer to us (Bay Area) than Redondo Beach.

JG: Citra hops - amen! Used them in my last homebrew and will use them in the next. Great aroma!

Homebrew; I keep telling myself I'm going to do that. Too much slacking off I guess.

Theres a local craft brewery near to where I live that make some lovely beer. Check em out @rebelbrewingcompany.co.uk. They also do a citrus like ale, though i'm not keen on beer that tastes like flowers! Also, I too make homebrew and have an oat/hemp brew to get going, as soon as I stop procrastinating!

I second the admonition against overdoing it with adjuncts, artificial flavors, etc. The slight, natural, nuance you get from using certain base ingredients and techniques is preferable.

Want some piney, resinous flavor? Throw in some Simcoe or Chinook hops. Not enough? Dry hop that sumbitch.

Want floral tones, instead? Maybe Cluster or Mosiac. Multiple additions throughout the boil for rounded flavors, late additions for sharper ones.

Want a bit of a banana aroma? Pick your yeast carefully, probably a Belgian or Hefeweizen variety, and ferment a little warmer than usual.

The experimentation is part of the process. Worst case scenario - you make beer.

There's a craft brewery near me called Rhinegeist.  They do an IPA they call "Truth" that's very citrusy and has that piney, resiny, grapefruity flavor to it.  As far as I know, they achieve it all through hops.  I've had it twice; the first time it tasted like bitter, alcoholic grapefruit juice.  The second time (last night), it was much more balanced and tasty.  At 7.2% alcohol it's also got a kick to it.

I've yet to try citra - maybe I will now after reading this thread.  For me, it's usually cascade.  (I've tried chinook and centennial a couple times)... but I find with all dry hopping that the flavour and aroma dissipate after a couple of weeks in the bottle. I'm not drinking it quick enough I guess!

Bars' over there, dudes. I'm always up to trying a new brew.

DigiBudh, homebrewing is basically an hour or so of cooking,  followed by a couple weeks of waiting. What could be more dude-like?

Quote from: mrmadman on May 04, 2015, 03:23:34 PM
DigiBudh, homebrewing is basically an hour or so of cooking,  followed by a couple weeks of waiting. What could be more dude-like?

Now that you put it that way, fuckin' eh, that does sound very dude like!