West Coast IPAs seem to be making a comeback currently. It’s interesting that both GABF and BJCP have dropped the term in favor of American IPA. Historically you are looking at American hops dominate especially the C hops. C Hops are Columbus, Chinook, Centennial, and Cascade. Often these beers had a strong bitterness, with aromas of pine and resin, even dankness. While they can be pale some examples have a faint amber hue, with a brilliant clarity. The abv ranges from 6 to 7.5% much higher and you are into double IPA territory.

Blackbird Brewing, Squad Deep, 7.2% abv

Straw colored beer with white foam, the lightest color of the day for sure. Hazy for the style. Pine and resin on the nose, but very balanced in the flavor. It tastes more of a tropical fruit character with a background of almost bubble gum. Light in body, especially considering the abv. Brewed with Krush and Citra hops.

Edmund’s Oast Brewing Co, Plasma Gun, 8.0% abv

Has a resin pine aroma, another golden ale with light white foam, a bit hazy an appearance. Hoppy oil texture in the mouthfeel. Lacks on the bitterness for the style. Hops featured are Chinook, Citra, and Centennial.

Lenny Boy Brewing, Frank the Dank, 6.2% abv

The nose definitely leads with a dank nose. Golden hue with white foam, there is a bit of haze to the beer. Hops dominate in the aroma, with no malt character present. Hop bursts in flavor but finishes with a pleasant malt sweetness. The beer is balanced, but a little more bitterness would be nice. The hops in Frank are Apollo, Idaho 7, and Columbus.

When I think of West Coast IPA, I tend to think of more bitterness than today’s samples offered and perhaps that is just a market shift that breweries are not making the style as bitter. What’s your go to West Coast IPA?