Posted on 03/16/2008 7:16:09 PM PDT by Porterville
Paso Robles, CA - Firestone Walker Brewing Company announced today the release of a beer called Union Jack, the brewery's first commercially available India pale ale.
Union Jack will be available on draft and in bottle beginning on February 8, 2008. The suggested retail price is $9.99 per six pack of 12-ounce bottles. It will be available across California and select markets in Nevada.
The technical specifications of Union Jack are 7.5 percent alcohol by volume and 70 IBUs.
"Union Jack is an American-style India pale ale that represents a flavorful twist on our British brewing heritage, as well as our singular focus on pale ales," said Proprietor David Walker. "It also echoes some of the intensity exhibited by our recent limited-edition beers."
The India Pale Ale style originated in 18th century Britain, when brewers learned that loading their beer with extra hops helped it survive the long voyage to the colony. The hops acted as a preservative as a result of their antibacterial and antioxidant properties.
Union Jack is double dry hopped, resulting in an intense and complex hop profile that is enhanced by fermentation in the brewery's Firestone Union oak barrel brewing system. Citrus and apricot aromas anticipate long, fruity flavors that finish with an assertive hop bitterness.
Firestone Walker Brewing Company recently intensified its focus on Pale Ales under the banner of "Passion for The Pale." Union Jack is the third pale ale in the brewery's small family of beers, joining DBA (British-style pale ale) and Pale 31 (American-style pale ale). Meanwhile, Firestone Lager is being discontinued to make room for Union Jack and to keep the Firestone Walker portfolio focused on pale ales.
Recent honors for the brewery's pale ales include:
* 2007 "Best Pale Ale in The World" by Men's Journal Magazine * 2007 Great American Beer Festival Gold Medal * 2007 California State Fair Gold Medal for First Place * 2006 World Beer Cup Gold Medal * 2006 "Best Beer in America" by Men's Journal Magazine * 2005 Australian International Beer Awards Gold Medal for Best of Class
Founded in 1996 on California's Central Coast, Firestone Walker Brewing Company is a regional brewery committed to quality, innovation and tradition. Firestone Walker Brewing Company remains the only American brewery to ferment beer in a union of oak barrels, a classic British brewing method that dates back to the mid 19th century. Firestone Walker Brewing Company was named "Mid-Size Brewing Company of The Year" at the 2007 and 2003 Great American Beer Festivals and "Champion Brewery" for the category of Mid-Size Brewing Company at the 2006 and 2004 World Beer Cups.
Before it was Ruination IPA from Stone Brewing Company down in San Diego... but now....
I've found the best beer in the entire world.
BTW, if you ever get the chance, try Alexander Keith's IPA from Nova Scotia. Great stuff.
Have you ever tried Lucifer Golden Belgian Ale? Its nickname is liquid gold.
For me, nothing else comes close to it, and I can be a real beer snob.
I’ll try it; my local liquor store has the best beer selection in 3 counties. :)
The technical specifications of Union Jack are 7.5 percent alcohol by volume and 70 IBUs.
70 IBUs. - Whazzat?
7.5% is ass kick beer.
I belong to a club of homebrewers. There are some awesome brews being made in homes. Not at $10 for a 6-pack though. Homebrew costs run around 30 bucks for 5 gallons.
Yeeee ha.... without that sweet nastiness of the 10% ales like Sierra Nevada’s Big Foot or the dark flavor of the Rasputin Beer style.
Brew your own !!! You’ll never go back to commercialy brewed stuff.
www.flyingdogales.com
Great IPA and Classic Pale Ale
The hoppier the better in my book.
Long? Friuty? Welcome, beer snobs!
intense and complex hop profile, Citrus and apricot aromas, long, fruity finish....
AARRRRGH!!!!
What exactly is an “American Style IPA”
Sounds like a “British Style” hot dog...
IPA is a beer that was developed for the British troops in India. Traditional beers were rancid by the time they arrived so a beer was made that fermented in the cask en route ( about two weeks by sailing ship) so it was it was ready to drink on arrival (after being allowed to settle.)
I’ve never seen a true IPA in America. If you want a REAL bottled IPA, try Worthington White Shield. It will keep for up to three years but has to be handled and poured very carefully as the sediment must not be disturbed.
On pouring, it is a single slow action, and the last quarter inch is left in the bottle with the sediment.
If you pour it too fast and the bottle burps/glugs on pouring - forget it, throw it away, you just ruined it.
I don't think you've ever drank beer from a carboy.
I did. Couldn't brew it fast enough. Went back to commercialy brewed beer and watching college basketball on weekends instead.
Any sites and suppliers you recommend for homebrewing?
I was thinking about giving it a try. Thanks.
I dream of the bar that carries IPA’s of California....
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.