Robert Galloway/Tahoe Daily Tribune
In our Drink of the Week segment, we’ll be showcasing a unique type of beer, wine, cocktail – you name it – to try at one of the basin’s countless breweries, bars and restaurants.
Named after one of their favorite places around the basin, and a clever naming game on what type of beer it is, SLBC’s new Cold Creek IPA is now on tap, cold and ready to drink. drunk. Before diving into taste, we need to describe the process of shaping the finished product.
Despite its name, cold IPAs aren’t actually about its drinking temperature at all – who would want a hot IPA, anyway. This West Coast version is brewed with lager yeasts and fermented at a temperature more typical of ales. It incorporates two-row barley and 25% flaked rice and is generously hopped with Citra, Mosaic and Strata hops. Unless you’re a brewer, this all probably flew over your head like a Boeing 737 – I did. In short, let’s just say that this beer is made with hops.
You get that distinction right off the bat on the nose with hints of tropical fruit and sticky cannabis – yes, cannabis. Side note As Note Day approaches on April 20, this beer could be the perfect party drink. Alright, let’s continue. These notes really contrast with the profile of the dry malt, but together there is real magic in the taste.
Flavors like mango, passion fruit, and mixed berries all show up in every sip. Although hopped, you can feel the purpose of the hops where it still doesn’t dominate. The end result is a super clean and crisp (and surprisingly lightweight) golden sunburst.
The ABV rings in at 6.6%, so it’s the perfect accompaniment for that long ride. If you want the full experience, take the Cold Creek trail and then complete it with one of these – a full circle experience that’s sure to hit all the senses and refresh you.
South Lake Brewing Company is located at 1920 Lake Tahoe Blvd. in southern Lake Tahoe. For more beer and brewery information, visit them online at southlakebeer.com or call them at 530-578-0087.
