24. Refreshingly Mild, This Organic IPA Whispers of Sweet Red Grapefruit

Never trust the bottom shelf, right? That's a pretty safe mantra at most stores. The bottom shelf is where they keep the cheap stuff. The plastic 1.5L bottles of vodka guaranteed to leave you with a headache the next morning. The always-on-sale (but still overpriced) generic wine. And, of course, the odd dust covered bottle of forgotten liqueur. 

Well, living by this mantra, I've been avoiding the Peak Organic Brewing Company IPA for several months now. As a rule, IPAs are delicious. But this one has been lurking on the bottom shelf at Trader Joe's and I just couldn't bring myself to buy it.

I regret my indecision now. 

This IPA is so refreshingly mild, it's like a summer afternoon spritzer. Whispers of ruby red grapefruit round out every sip, blending with and complementing flavors of golden wheat.

What makes the Peak Organic IPA so mild? As mentioned in an earlier review, IPAs draw their distinct flavor from hops flowers that can be added at two distinct points of the brewing process.

 When hops are added during boiling, they create a bitter flavor in the final product. When they are added after cooking is complete, the result is the grapefruity taste so perfectly illustrated in the Peak Organic IPA.

About the Brewery
Peak Organic is a sustainable brewing company in Portland, Maine. They make at least 23 different beers, all of which I would love to sample. However, this IPA is the only variety I've seen in California so far.

Peak is committed to local and sustainable sourcing. Their website is worth checking out, as they include a list of all the local farmers where they purchase their raw ingredients. The result of their organic commitment? When you try this beer, you'll discover that better ingredients leads to a better product.

Peak Organic IPA:

Nose: Fresh red grapefruit

Taste: Deliciously light and refreshing, without being too hoppy. Like a golden wheat lager with hints of fresh, sweet red grapefruit.

Price: $7.99/6-pack

Recommendation: Buy it! Even if IPAs aren't your thing, branch out and try Peak Organic. You won't be disappointed.

The "peak" in POBC doesn't refer to a mountain peak (in case you were wondering). It's a reference to the rich experiences that make life meaningful, experiences that are so often augmented by the complex tastes of a handcrafted beer. Like this incredible IPA!