The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
NEW REBEL IPA, LOCAL SEASONAL BREWS
What are you drinking lately? If you’re looking to for a change-up from the same old-same old, give one of these craft beers a try. And this first pick of a Boston beer is only because here in Atlanta, we’re good sports, even when we lose.
Rebel IPA
Boston Beer Co., Boston, Mass. Available on draft and in bottles, cans and variety packs.
Profile: For the first time, the brewers at Sam Adams have completely reformulated a flagship beer, giving Rebel IPA a new hop bill, and removing caramel malt from the grain bill. In addition to Cascade, Centennial, Simcoe and Chinook hops, the 2017 version adds Mosaic, along with HBC 566, a new proprietary hop, and HBC 682, a new experimental bittering hop.
The result is lighter, crisper beer, with more of the juicy, tropical and citrus notes that are the draw of many other newer IPAs. You’ll also find some piney and earthy aromas, and a clean, quick finish. At 45 IBUs, it’s on the lower end of the bitterness scale for an American IPA. But that’s sure to widen its appeal to the hop-adverse.
Pair with: Try Rebel IPA with salty or fried foods, such as Nashville-style hot chicken, fish and chips, steak frites or poutine.
SweetWater Second Helping IPA
SweetWater Brewing Co., Atlanta On draft for a limited time at metro bars and restaurants.
Profile: SweetWater first brewed Second Helping as a collaboration between Ryan and Jen Hidinger and SweetWater brewer Nick Nock to help raise awareness and money for Atlanta nonprofit The Giving Kitchen. Since then, this double IPA brewed with juniper berries has become a perennial favorite, though this year it’s only available on draft.
My initial notes on this beer have not changed much. And the recipe hasn’t changed at all. It has a distinct botanical presence, as the juniper berries seem to enhance the hops with herbal, minty aromas and flavors followed by a dry finish. The malts add nutty and biscuity notes, and a pretty amber color.
Pair it with: Try this bold IPA with pub grub, like sandwiches, burgers, or chicken wings, or pair it with spicy Mexican or Asian dishes.
Bleeding Heart
Second Self Beer Co., Atlanta Available on draft and in cans around metro Atlanta
Profile: Going back to their homebrewing days, Second Self partners Jason Santamaria and Chris Doyle created this unusual Valentine’s Day-inspired seasonal offering, and they’ve continued tweaking it for the past eight years. This year, it’s available in cans for the first time.
Based on the recipe for traditional Southern red velvet cake, it’s a malty, red brew flavored with additions of cocoa and vanilla that suggest rather than scream dessert. In fact, its toasty malt presence and balancing hop bitterness easily put in the ballpark of a traditional amber or red ale.
Pair it with: Santamaria and Doyle suggest pairing Bleeding Heart with steak, roasted butternut squash, gorgonzola cheese, and a loved one to share it with.
Napoleon Complex Hoppy Pale Ale
Wicked Weed Brewing Co., Asheville, North Carolina
Available on draft, in bottles, and coming soon in cans.
Profile: Beloved for sublimely tart, fruity and barrel-aged beers, Wicked Weed also makes some beautiful hop-forward ales. One of my favorites is Napoleon Complex, also a favorite of the Wicked Weed staff. Introduced in 2016, it’s a clever-cool reimagining of the classic pale ale style that keeps the light malt backbone while turning up the hops to a more aggressive IPA level.
At 5.2% alcohol, it’s almost a session beer, with a golden color, creamy head and lively carbonation. Dry-hopping lends a lightly resinous, aromatic bouquet. Bitterness is pronounced but nicely balanced on the palate, with notes of citrus, pine needles and tropical fruit, before a pungent, offdry finish.
Pair it with: Try this hoppy pale ale with Asian, Indian and Latin dishes, such as green curry, pork vindaloo or tamales with chili and cheese.