A West Coast Beer Adventure

A while back, I wrote about some of the best old-school West Coast IPAs, which generated a lot of positive feedback from readers. Since then, I’ve been on the lookout for any new offerings in this category that are worth trying. Now, don’t get me wrong, I enjoy New England IPAs, but lately, it feels like they’re taking over the beer shelves. I believe there’s room for a wider variety of beers, especially the classic West Coast IPAs.

With so many breweries popping up these days, it’s hard to keep track of who’s making what. But, to be honest, that’s a great problem to have. And as luck would have it, my recent autumn journey led to a serendipitous discovery. I decided to take a trip to South Deerfield for some seasonal fun and to visit my friend Ben, who works at Yankee Candle. Of course, being the holiday enthusiast that I am, I couldn’t resist immersing myself in the Christmas spirit, despite it still being fall. After all, as the sign at Yankee Candle says, “It’s always Christmas here.”

While at South Deerfield, I decided to grab a pizza from Hillside Pizza, which now has a shop there. And to my pleasant surprise, there was also a brewery conveniently located right next to it – Powder Hill Brewery. Now, since it was still daytime, I didn’t indulge in any beer, but I couldn’t resist getting a four-pack to take home. And, of course, destiny had something special in store for me. In that four-pack, I found a beer aptly named West Coast Style IPA. Without hesitation, I purchased it.

That evening, as I cracked open a can, I was delighted by what I tasted. It poured beautifully, with a clean amber-orange hue and a nice head. The aroma hinted at light citrus notes, but the first sip surprised me with a distinct pine flavor twirling with a tangerine twist. At 7.3% ABV, it packed a punch but remained remarkably smooth. This experience alone could have been enough to dedicate a whole column to, but fate had more in store for me.

The discovery of Powder Hill’s West Coast Style IPA reignited my curiosity for other West Coast-style beers that I might have missed. A few days later, while browsing the beer section of Big Y World Class Market in Northampton, I stumbled upon a beer from Berkshire Brewing Co. (also located in South Deerfield) called Snap Dragon West Coast-style Pale Ale. Now, it may not claim to be an IPA, but in today’s world, the distinction between hoppiness and maltiness can get blurry. Intrigued, I grabbed a four-pack and took it home.

Once again, my decision paid off. The beer poured with a slightly cloudy yellow hue, and the head was massive. The aroma teased me with a garden of hoppy delights, and the flavor followed through, delivering ample doses of pine and citrus, courtesy of Amarillo and Centennial hops. Given Berkshire’s reputation for well-balanced beers, I knew the malt structure would provide a strong backbone for the hops, and it certainly did. This beer’s balance probably places it closer to a pale ale rather than an IPA, and with its 5.5% ABV, it’s a beer that’s perfect for an enjoyable session.

Both Powder Hill’s West Coast Style IPA and Berkshire Brewing Co.’s Snap Dragon West Coast-style Pale Ale have earned spots in my personal collection. These two brews capture the essence of the West Coast IPA tradition while each showcasing their unique character. And after tasting them, I can confidently say that the West Coast brewers are still holding their own in a market dominated by New England IPAs.

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