Cogstone Brewing West Coast IPA

The West Coast IPA is a perfect name. I don’t have to guess if I’m going to get a cloudy east coast style or a dank midwest style (I’m not sure if that’s really a style, but if you stick with me you’ll realize that there are more IPA regions than just the east and west coast). In true west coast style, this IPA isn’t too flashy: It’s got some basic Northwest hops (tastes like centennial, cascade, and chinook…maybe some simcoe. If I guessed those right I deserve a free beer!). Since it’s a west coast style, don’t expect any bold citrus flavors (as it should be), but it’s not piney like some of the original west coast versions—I tend to like those, which is why I tend to pick up a sixpack of Sierra Nevada Turbo IPA every now and then.

There’s also some good malt backbone, which is missing from the modern west coast versions. There isn’t a distinctive malt characteristic that jumps out; maybe a subtle biscuit flavor. The bitterness is balanced nicely with the malt, so it makes for a solid IPA that comes in at 7% ABV.

Cogstone has a nice variety of beer styles. I only chose the IPA because it’s a good yardstick for breweries. They do have some good Belgians and a wee heavy Scottish ale, which a few other breweries offer as well. So, maybe IPAs shouldn’t be my yardstick. Either way, it’s a brewery that’s worth visiting, even if you have to brave the North Academy corridor.