Beer of the Weekend #839: Tragedy of the Common

The beer of the weekend is not an IPA: Tragedy of the Common, brewed by the Iowa Brewing Company of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.


The color is caramel amber. A finger of light tan, bubbly, buttery head leaves a skim, thick spots of bubbles, and a short trail of lacing. The aroma features caramel and toasted malt. A touch of rye or other spice lurks around the corners, but it is much more prominent in the flavor. The first taste has a ton of bite, which fades after subsequent sips. The flavor is bready and spicy with caramel and toasted malt. The bite and bitterness are spicy and hang on to the taste buds for a short time.

Fun facts about Tragedy of the Commons:

• Style: California common.

• Price: $8.99 per six-pack of 12-ounce bottles at the New Pioneer Food Co-op in Iowa City.

• Alcohol content: 4.9 percent ABV.

• IBU: 38.

• Nerdiness written on the carrier and labels:

The lesson of the Commons is about how the greed of a few can ruin a resource that is shared by many. This lager takes aim at the flavorless by bringing bready and caramel notes balanced by spicy hops to a beer for all seasons!

• Tragedy of the Commons won the silver medal in the American-Style Amber Lager or Dark Lager category at the 2016 Great American Beer Festival.


The Quiet Man’s grade: A-.

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