Beer of the Weekend #757: 1492

I’m still craving a tropical IPA, so this weekend I thought I would try another IPA brewed by Toppling Goliath in Decorah, Iowa: 1492.


The color is medium amber that is very hazy and turbid. There is a lot of floating protein, which may not be a good sign; “26 AUG 15” is printed on the shoulder. (Or it could be remaining globules of the cephalopod mentioned on the description.) A finger of eggshell-colored, tight, buttery head features spots of bubbles and dissipates slowly. A couple trails of lacing are left along the glass. The aroma is zesty and sharp with a lot of citrus. There are scents of pine, grapefruit, lemon zest, orange, and a stiff caramel backbone. Mango creeps into the picture as the beer continues to warm. The aroma portends astringent hoppiness but the flavor is pretty mild — perhaps because it is pretty old. It has a nice bitterness that works the taste buds but doesn’t turn the screws too tight. It is a touch astringent but there are flavors of pine, grapefruit, orange, lemon, and a hint of mango.

Fun facts about 1492:

• Style: IPA.

• Price: $9.99 per four-pack at the New Pioneer Food Co-op in Iowa City.

• Alcohol content: 6 percent ABV.

• IBU: 45.

• Here is the description on the brewery’s website:

In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue. Though his course lay true, he ran into a mighty cephalopod, which stuck him through. With a whack-whack, the mast gave a crack. One big smack and the sails went slack. The ship started to wobble, so they gave the beast a throttle, tossing it bodily into an open bottle. They let it stew until it turned into this delicious brew for you and your crew.

• The label still includes Delaware in the five-cent deposit states. As mentioned before, Delaware stopped charging deposit at the end of 2010.


The Quiet Man’s grade: B.

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