Beer of the Weekend #867: Diablo Red
I noticed packs of Twisted Vine brews at New Pi recently and had to buy one. So, the beer of the weekend is Diablo Red, brewed by the Twisted Vine Brewery of West Des Moines, Iowa.
The color is deep, amber red that is almost dark enough to have a brown tint. A finger of tan, tight, buttery, bubble-spotted head dissipates slowly, leaving a lasting skim and a buttery collar. Now that is what head is supposed to look like.
It smells like a West Coast IPA, but it is not aggressive. It is a very enticing balance of malt and hops; there are equal parts of malt, bitterness, and spice. There are scents of caramel, toasted malt, pineapple, grapefruit, maybe mango, a touch of chocolate, rye spice, and light pine.
The first couple sips offer a strong but pleasing bite; it is spicy and lingers on the taste buds. The other flavors are somewhat subdued, but they are there. Much like the aroma, the flavor is a light but pleasing blend of caramel, toasted malt, chocolate, rye spice, light tropical fruit (I get orange and grapefruit as the beer warms), and light pine. It is not robust and nothing stands out except the rye, but it is an enjoyable and tasty brew.
Fun facts about Diablo Red:
• Style: Red IPA.
• Price: $10.99 for a four-pack of 16-ounce cans at the New Pioneer Food Co-op in Iowa City.
• Alcohol content: 6.1 percent ABV.
• IBU: 45.
The Quiet Man's grade: B+/A-.
The color is deep, amber red that is almost dark enough to have a brown tint. A finger of tan, tight, buttery, bubble-spotted head dissipates slowly, leaving a lasting skim and a buttery collar. Now that is what head is supposed to look like.
It smells like a West Coast IPA, but it is not aggressive. It is a very enticing balance of malt and hops; there are equal parts of malt, bitterness, and spice. There are scents of caramel, toasted malt, pineapple, grapefruit, maybe mango, a touch of chocolate, rye spice, and light pine.
The first couple sips offer a strong but pleasing bite; it is spicy and lingers on the taste buds. The other flavors are somewhat subdued, but they are there. Much like the aroma, the flavor is a light but pleasing blend of caramel, toasted malt, chocolate, rye spice, light tropical fruit (I get orange and grapefruit as the beer warms), and light pine. It is not robust and nothing stands out except the rye, but it is an enjoyable and tasty brew.
Fun facts about Diablo Red:
• Style: Red IPA.
• Price: $10.99 for a four-pack of 16-ounce cans at the New Pioneer Food Co-op in Iowa City.
• Alcohol content: 6.1 percent ABV.
• IBU: 45.
The Quiet Man's grade: B+/A-.
