Tap 79 Brewing Co. Double IPA. 8% abv. 80 IBU. Hazy straw color. Finger of white foamy head. Excellent retention and lacing. Nose of citrus, tropical fruit, juicy, floral. 

Front taste of grapefruit rind, sweet light fruit, bitter floral hops, bitter botanical end note. Flavors of pine emerge as the temp rises. Aftertaste is grapefruit, candy sugar, bitter fruity hop bouquet. Light-medium body. Mouthfeel is warm, carby, dry, sticky, resiny.

This is one of those contract house beers made for and sold by good ol' Trader Joe's, this one brewed by Golden Road out of Los Angeles, CA. TJ's house beers run the gamut from swill to gold, and this DIPA is somewhere in the middle, leaning toward gold. It's clearly modeled after the famous Pliny The Elder, with its bundle of floral hops and plenty of juicy tropics, coming across as a moderately successful clone.

At it's very friendly price point, its definitely worth your time, particularly if you enjoy citrus taste in your IPA. It may become on of your go-to low-price beers, or you may never have it again. Either way, you may be pleasantly surprised. Recommended.

Green Flash Brewing 'Road Warrior' Imperial Rye IPA. 9% abv. 80 IBU. Hazy red-brown color. Finger+ of foamy ivory head. Superb retention and excellent lacing. Nose of bread, abundant floral and herbal hops. Front taste of herbal hops, bright spice from the rye, bitter hop bite on the back end. Aftertaste is bitter, botanical, strong rye presence on the sustain. Medium body. Mouthfeel is hot, thick, bubbly, astringent.

This is an outstanding rye beer, possibly my new favorite in category. The rye grain is noted throughout, particularly in the vivid aftertaste. The hop bill offers a wonderful aroma with a bitter-forward taste that reaches out to hop head beer lovers. If you like rye malt and you like hop bitter zing this is your dream beer. Strongly recommended.

From the brewery:

"Hop on and enjoy the eye of your life. Our imperial rye IPA is brewed in the name of our Road Warriors - the sales team who tirelessly hit the streets, traveling from town to town and pub to pub sharing the Green Flash experience. Road Warrior charges full flavor forward. Columbus and Mosaic hops, rich crystal and spicy rye malts pave the way for Mosaic and Amarillo dry- hopping to boldly shine through in the finish. Raise a glass to those who never settle!"

[source: bottle]

The head retention was outstanding.

Golden Road Brewing 'Point The Way' IPA. 5.9% abv. 60 IBU. Golden honey color. Nearly two inches of white bubbly head. Good retention, nice lacing. Nose of fruity hops, pineapple, bread. Notes of banana and faint corn emerge as the temp drops. Front taste of pine, grapefruit juice, biscuit, bitter floral hops. Aftertaste of light fruit, sweet light malt, citrus peel on the sustain. Medium body. Mouthfeel is warm, tangy, somewhat thick, dry on the back.

This is a nice IPA, definitely of the WestCoast style, with bursts of fruity and floral hops, a light malt profile, and sweet citrus flavors throughout. Hop bitter is balanced well, as is the body, making a highly drinkable, almost sessionable brew. Slightly better than average for its category, if only because it's not a typical runaway hop train. I quite enjoyed this brew. Well recommended.

From the brewery:

"Point the Way IPA is our ode to the hop-crazed patrons of Los Angeles.  Its light malt body elevates the citrus zest, tropical and pine notes contributed by a generous hop dosing.  At 5.9%, this sessionable West-Coast IPA finishes dry for optimal repeatability."

[source: goldenroad.la]

Golden Road Brewing 'Wolf Among Weeds' Double IPA. 8.1% abv. 80 IBU. Golden-amber color. Thin white head off the tap. Moderate retention, nice lacing. Nose of sweet light malt, floral hop bouquet, mild citrus. Front taste of bright hops, flowers, sweet bread. Aftertaste of bitter hops, grapefruit rind, candy sugar notes. Medium body. Mouthfeel is warm, bubbly small carb, alcoholic on the back end.

This is an excellent double IPA, with a nice bittersweet balance a fresh hop bite. This brewery is impressing me with each offering. Highly recommended.

From the brewery:

"This beer is a balanced showcase of the majestic hop specie, in Latin, Humulus Lupulus, which translates 'Wolf Among Weeds.'  It’s our celebration of California’s enthusiasm for hop-forward IPAs.  At 8%, Wolf will sneak up on you from behind the robust citrus and dank earthy hop notes mirrored in its aroma and flavor profile."
[source: goldenroad.la]

Golden Road Brewing 'Get Up Offa That Brown.' 5.5% abv. 20 IBU. Dark brown color, thin cream head. Good retention and lace. Faint nose of caramel, roasted malt. Front taste is roasty, malty, nutty. Aftertaste is sweet, lingering malt, faint earthy hops. Medium body. Mouthfeel is rich, thick, sticky.

This is a solid beer, an excellent example of an American brown ale. Rich and nutty yet highly drinkable. Highly recommended.

From the brewery:

"For our brown ale we’ve added trace amounts of smoked malt to build a toasty complexity, balanced by rich notes of caramel and chocolate.  Ask your bartender to 'Get Up Offa That Brown!' "