DRAFT Magazine

What better way to celebrate the life of a revolutionary, provocative comedian than with a bold imperial IPA that causes pause and consideration? New to the season is Shmaltz Brewing Co.’s He’Brew Bittersweet Lenny’s R.I.P.A. In homage to the late-great comedian Lenny Bruce, this brew’s in your face and wrestles the tongue into submission.

Pouring a brilliantly clear auburn hue with a frothy tan head, Bittersweet Lennny’s bursts with a sweet caramel aroma. Let this one warm up just a bit and citrus hops, a spicy rye character, and alcohol warmth encircles the sweetness.

More than just a clever play on acronyms, this R.I.P.A.-designated brew packs a hefty dose of rye ale malt, torrified rye, and crystal rye — and it’s noticeable throughout the swallow. On the front of the tongue, a wave of spicy rye hits first and quickly moves down into the sides, mixing with hop bitterness. Toffee sweetness with dark, datelike fruits swirl with hop citrus on the top of the tongue, before it washes back, leaving a sweet, slightly sticky coating behind. While some hop bitterness and alcohol (10% ABV) works to cleanse the back of the throat, this malt-forward brew lays it on thick. However those who like both Imperial IPAs and barleywines will find a friend in Bittersweet Lenny.

Perfect for the coming spring, Magic Hat’s newest seasonal, Vinyl, combines a showcase of malts with a clean, crisp lager body. Pouring a clear rust-orange with a fleeting soft white head, Vinyl Lager emits accents of caramel sweetness shrouded in an bouquet of roasted notes. Take a big swig of this beer: the first thing you’ll notice is the surprisingly light, clean mouthfeel. A wash of toast and caramel balance each other out, front to back, culminating in a pleasant lingering bitterness that pairs nicely with the remaining toasted notes left on the tongue. There’s nothing terribly complex or strenuous about this brew. It moves across the tongue purposefully and succinctly, and when the last bitter notes have all but vanished, it inspires another sip.

Hop heads of the world, rejoice: A new brew’s on the shelves to satiate your appetite for bitterness. Released in January — available through April — Deschutes Brewery’s Red Chair NWPA (Northwest Pale Ale) is a citrusy, sweet-and-bitter joy worth celebrating.

Up from Red Chair’s beautifully clear, deep-orange body floats floral notes, a touch grassy, but clean throughout. Spend some time letting this beer air, and a distant piney, resinous hop quality eventually emerges.

On the front of the tongue, this brew’s all floral, citrusy hops. It perks the taste buds before a swell of biscuit and sweet caramel flavors pool toward the middle; mouthwatering, yet balanced by bitterness. A final wave of grassy hops takes this beer into the finish. As one would expect with a well-hopped 60-IBU brew, the finish is bitter dry in the throat, however a lingering sweetness prevails on the tongue. Breath deep, and phantom orange notes rejoin the caramel sweetness for a tasty, yet not overpowering aftertaste in the mouth.