Party Tricks IPA - AleSmith Brewing Review
When searching for excellent beers filled with the hops we’re experimenting with, it’s always good to seek out an icon. And AleSmith out of San Diego, CA, has been successfully cranking out the suds since 1995. You might know AleSmith for their Speedway Stout, but this week we’re trying their hoppy and complex Party Tricks IPA to see how a pro brings together modern hops to make a classic.
Party Tricks IPA is loaded with Strata, Citra, and El Dorado hops, and it comes in tall cans at a steady 6.8% ABV. With the selected hops we expect a lot of juicy, fruity flavors against a citrus backdrop. Let’s see if our assumptions add up in our first impressions.
First Impressions
On the Eyes--Party Tricks is straw to golden-colored, slightly hazy, and topped with a cream-colored head. The haze gives us the impression of a lot of dry hopping, and we can hope to waft the benefits of that in the aroma.
On the Nose--Strong citrus aroma from the Citra blends nicely with the sweeter contributions of the Strata and El Dorado hop. The Strata hops lend that characteristic strawberry aroma, and the El Dorado hops add that sort of candy/pineapple sweetness they are known for. Citra seems to be the most prominent hop, though, and it makes this IPA really inviting with the anticipation of a classic flavor and bitterness.
On the Palate--The grapefruit flavor is a real punch in the mouth, followed by that strawberry sweetness from the Strata hops. It has a lot of bright and sweet flavors that lend to a juiciness against the backdrop of the bitter citrus. The sweeter, fruitier Strata and El Dorado blend well with the aggressive Citra. It is medium-bodied, while remaining smooth and light through its juiciness. Party Tricks is tingly on the tongue and the bitterness is firm but doesn’t linger.
Food Pairing: AleSmith suggests pairing Party Tricks IPA with spicy nachos, and we say hell yes to that!
Verdict
I love the fresh citrus smack of Party Tricks IPA, and the smooth juiciness of the Strata and El Dorado hops balance it out nicely. AleSmith combines the classic IPA bitterness seamlessly with the sweet fruit flavors and aromas of the modern hops. Party Tricks is well balanced and I think pretty fairly priced considering it comes in a six-pack of tall cans. It might be a lot, but the high volume and high ABV will carry you through a few drinking sessions with this well-crafted IPA.
Give Party Tricks a try and don’t be shy to engage with AleSmith’s other brews. They have many varieties of iconic beers and they even have an NA beer for those looking to cut back.
Cheers!
Mr. Brew