When someone says craft beer, the west coast IPA is usually the first thing that comes to mind. Some love them, some hate them, but icons are like that, and American brewing brands are built on aggression and risk-taking, solidifying some at the top as others topple down.
But the challenge of brewing a west coast IPA that will stand out in the inundated crowd is made all the more difficult when only using one hop. Yet the good folks of Community Beer Co. out of Dallas, Texas, have built a whole line-up from one beautiful cone: Mosaic. And this turn around we’re sipping their West Coast Mosaic IPA.
Now, west coast IPAs are iconic, and we’ve all tasted them, but some might not be as accurately labeled as they should be, so to review, a west coast IPA should be relatively crisp, clean, and clear on the malt end with punchy bitterness from hot-side additions of hops over excessive dry-hopping as is seen with New England IPAs. And that’s what Community aims for here with their 7.7% ABV and 45 IBU west coast IPA. As it says on the can: ‘Bold hop flavor, Crisp and Refreshing.’
Now, I love drinking and brewing beer with Mosaic hops, so the stakes are high. If it’s right, it might be my new favorite beer. If it’s wrong, well … we’ll cross that road if the time comes.
First Impressions:
On the Eyes--Perfectly golden, clear, and topped with a cream-colored and tight-pored head that maintains well. It looks crisp, as a west coast should, and it has the slightest green tint sometimes associated with pilsner malt, only adding to the clean appearance.
On the Nose--Pithy citrus and sweet berry round out the complex aroma with pine adding a touch of promising bitterness. Very Mosaic, very exciting.
On the Palate--Sweet berry and tropical fruit weave through grapefruit and pine bouncing well off the platform of this laid back and simple malt bill that still offers a full body. The semi-dry finish lingers with the pithy and floral grapefruit and pine mellowing to the sweeter berry notes.
Food Pairings: The west coast IPA really is the pub king, and its bitter hoppiness and crisp malt presence make it ideal for fatty and rich foods like burgers, pizza, nachos, and tacos. Thank you, west coast IPA.
Final Thoughts:
Don’t tell my doctor, but I’ve consumed hundreds of different beers, and the west coast IPA is always at the top of that list in consumption and favoritism. But for every good one there are three bad ones, confused and lost souls with too much bitterness, no balance, dominating yeast character, or just overall lack of character. These beers are not easy to get right, and the icons show us why.
But truly, Community would not have built a whole line-up around the Mosaic IPA if they were not getting something right, and I can say that their West Coast Mosaic is certainly right.
It’s crisp from the first look (visuals are important, even in beer) with the perfect golden hue and that tint of green alluding to light and crisp malt. Then comes the aroma, and if you’ve handled or been around Mosaic before, you’ll recognize it immediately—citrus, pine, berry, and truly complex, it can’t be missed once you’ve been introduced. Add a full-body, make it bitter and refreshing, and you have a west coast IPA, or should I say you have Community’s West Coast Mosaic IPA.
I love single hop IPAs, and I seek them out often, but this one is perfect for hopheads. If you’re curious about Mosaic hops in any capacity, try this IPA, where the malt is drawn back a notch compared to a normal IPA letting the hops shine. And if you’re just looking for something simple, modern, and yet classic, go for the Mosaic. I will be drinking this beer again.
Cheers!
Mr. Brew
If you’re looking to try more single hop beers, check out Centennial IPA from Founders Brewing and Elissa IPA from Saint Arnold.