Greenflash IPA

So yesterday morning I get a call from a friend, “justin, do you want to have dinner?”  I hem and haw thinking “yes, but I don’t want to drive anywhere”  He says, “I made an amazing pot-roast”  I think, “great, I like pot-roast but is it really worth the drive to Amherst?”  He says, “Let’s meet at The Moan and Dove, I’ll bring the pot-roast”

2 hours later we met at The Moan and Dove.

Many consider The Moan and Dove to be one of the best beer bars in the United States, some people have gone so far as to say that it is the best!  Most people in the Hadley/Amherst area just know that it is the neighbourhood bar which only serves beer and peanuts.  The Moan and Dove is just that, a tiny little comfy place.  No TV, no food (unless you bring your own or their is an impromptu chili cook-off like there was yesterday), no wine or liquor.  Just beer!  It is rather glorious isn’t it?

My friend did bring his amazing pot-roast and a yummy salad.  He asked me, to choose the beer.  I looked up at the draught list and my first question was, “do you like hops?”  He said he liked Belgians.  So I ignored him and ordered us 2 pints of Green Flash West Coast IPA, one of the hoppiest beers in true San Diego style.

Green Flash is brewed in my home town, North San Diego County, just a stones throw from Stone Brewery.  My parents think I like to visit them.  I really go home for the beer and Mexican food.  Why all of these hoppy IPA’s in San Diego?  That’s just it, beer and Mexican food are great together (well beer is good with almost anything).  IPA’s and all of their wonderful hops are an amazing pairing for Mexican food.

Last night, my firend told me that the pot-roast had a little kick.  The Green Flash IPA is very hoppy but also very smooth with little to no aftertaste.  It was PERFECT for the pot-roast!  Lew Bryson over at “Seen through a glass” has one of the best descriptions on this ale, “clean as fresh snow”.  Lew you are right on brother.

This beer is clean.  It is also grassy and sweet.  Hints of pine and flowers.  Weed and honey.  Not too sweet, just enough sweetness to make it smooth.  AMAZING!!  If you can get your paws on this brew, do so. ★★★★★

Of course, after driving almost 4 hours round trip, I was too exhausted to blog about it last night.  Thanks everyone for sticking with me.  Thanks to my mother for checking in to make sure I was ok today, after no blogging last night she was a bit worried.  Mother, if you ever want to send me something, swing by Green Flash on your way home!