Most will know that I have a flare for the story behind something. Peel back the layer of the onion a little as they say. I also have a love of the brew. So, it makes complete sense that I find enjoyment in the beers that come packaged with a story, or some sort of multidimensional brand.
This brand can never be strong enough to cover for shitty beer mind you. But a decent beer with a neat alter-ego is enough to attract the marketing beer addict in me.
Here, we have IPA Number 8 https://collectiveartsbrewing.com/beer/ipa-8/ from Collective Arts Brewery https://collectiveartsbrewing.com/beer/. A double IPA can be anything from alcohol overdose to sheer awesomeness when it is done right. This one is pretty close to the latter with serious taste and it doesn't feel like you are drinking a barley wine. When you look at the link, you will see it described as such...
"Our biggest and just possibly our most beautiful IPA Series release to date. IPA #8 is double dry hopped with Simcoe, Moutere and Columbus hops, so you should expect a cloudy bright pour and intense fruit, dank citrus and pine notes. Best enjoyed as soon as you can get it in your house."
The story, or neat thing behind is that Collective arts also features the art of a Canadian artist as the label. It might be seen as a shortcut to branding as the in-house artists just need to pick a neat font and center an image. The beauty in this though is the artist gets to take the front seat, and it is Chris Morin of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada (That is always a funny mouthful to my American friends.)
This one is Juicy Ass IPA http://www.flyingmonkeys.ca/juicy-ass/ by Flying Monkeys Brewery http://www.flyingmonkeys.ca/(hit that website and play with the interface if you are in a psychedelic mood). It is really clear and distinctly tasty for a Juicy IPA (which I find tends to be cloudy and a bit funky but not this one.)
The short story behind this one is right on the can.
The medium length story was told to me by the rep the hits the beer festival here every year when he told me about how the government-run liquor store said they shouldn't use the word "ass" in a product on their shelves. Flying Monkeys told them, more or less, to go screw themselves (which they had previously done with Smash Bomb IPA which inappropriately promoted getting smashed.....!?!?!?)
The long story is behind the link which reads:
SERVE WITH
Perfect for North America’s favourite fried or rich pub foods, classic fish ‘n chips, Indian curries, caramelized grilled meats, and creamy cheeses like brie or gorgonzola.
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TASTE
With CTZ, Citra, Mosaic, and Amarillo hops in the boil; more Amarillo, Citra, Mosaic, and Simcoe steeping in the whirlpool; and an additional dry-hopping of these same sweet succulent hops, Juicy Ass glistens with an unfiltered golden colour erupting with aromas of tangerine, pine, citrus, and a touch of caramel. Fat bready malts join in the sassy, slightly hazy body of the medium-paced carbonation in this 6.5% beer followed by a suggestively plump, resinous hop finish.
STYLE
Craft Beer enthusiasts have a cult-like obsession with the IPA. Once a beer lover graduates to the enjoyment of this resinous hoppy brew, there’s no turning back. Not ‘roided up with bitterness, this hazy, unfiltered brew celebrates juicy IPAs with an ambrosia of fruity hops creating a smooth flavourful brew dripping with hop goodness, not just harsh IBUs."
I have SO many beer reviews saved up that I could probably stop drinking for a month.....but probably wont.