Beer Journal

A quasi-daily examination of beer and things related to beer.

Saturday, May 19, 2007

Now on Tap: Broken Halo IPA

Style: India Pale Ale
Brewer: Widmer Brothers Brewery
Location: Portland, Oregon, USA
Web: www.widmer.com
Alcohol: 6.0

Every once in a great while, a beer I haven't tried show up on the shelves of the local HEB. Even rarer, will this out of nowhere drink actually taste good. Broken Halo IPA, from Portland, Oregon based Widmer Brothers Brewery breaks (sorry) both of those molds. In fact, it might be one of the best beers I have ever tasted.

Ok, ok, so perhaps it's a little early (five glasses) into it to claim that, but I can already certify that Broken Halo is a drink that almost perfectly embodies what I look for in a beer: dark amber color, sharp hoppiness, no souring. In fact, the only thing that this beer lacks is a frothy head. In fact, it's pretty dead.

But that's more of an aesthetic quality, and what it lacks in presentation, Broken Halo more than makes up for in taste. Is it a perfect IPA? No, but it's a very, very good drink that is a perfect (if not spectacular) representation of its target type.

Beer Advocate Review
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Belmont Station Review

Rating: 8.6

3 Comments:

Blogger emilie said...

do tell: what is your favorite IPA to date?

May 22, 2007 at 1:27 PM  
Blogger rwmonty said...

You throw down the gauntlet!

Tell you what, I'll make a post of it.

May 23, 2007 at 1:39 PM  
Blogger emilie said...

I look forward to it!

February in SF is "strong beer month" where two pubs showcase a variety of IPAs, barley wines, etc. and, similar to Beer Tour, the goal is to drink all 24 in the month of February to receive a special glass (perhaps not as enticing as it was in college, but fun nonetheless). This February proving a tough one for the Cole family, I failed in completing it. However, I look forward to more chances like this so that one day I might be able to aptly state what my favorite IPA is.

May 24, 2007 at 12:44 PM  

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