Beer of the Week: Pineberry

Have you ever read one my beer descriptions, thought the beer sounded amazing, then purchased said beer and marveled at how much it…didn’t taste anything like what I’d described? It happens. I’d venture to say it happens a lot. Don’t worry, it’s not you. And it’s not me either. It’s the way of the world, at least when it comes to taste buds and the way they convey sensory information to our wholly individualistic brains. While humans largely interpret flavors the same way, enough that salty is salty, sweet is sweet and unique-tasting ingredients such as garlic are unmistakably garlic, when it comes to drilling down and really analyzing secondary flavors or, in the case of beer, interpretation of how compounds introduced by yeast, malt and hops taste in terms of relatable edibles, rather than rely on largely similar base instincts we muddy things up by thinking. Much as we feel differently about world issues, ethics and other things that are up for debate (can you say “pizza toppings”?), we are likely to judge flavors differently. The myth that enough practice tasting beer (the best training in the world, if you ask me) can alleviate this is just that. Extensive sampling only serves to build one’s mental reference banks and explanatory vernacular. It does not help build concensus…and that’s OK. Or it better be, or I’m in trouble. When I first tasted this week’ featured beer, Pineberry IPA from Alpine hop-bomb foundry Mcilhenney Brewing, my palate was ambushed by a full, fruity onslaught that, for me, came across as orange-fleshed citrus, specifically Satsuma, a low-acid variety of Mandarin orange that I’ve enjoyed in great quantities when visiting Louisiana, where they are plentiful. Given the beer is brewed with Citra hops in multiple forms, that made sense, but as the name implies, its creator, Shawn Mcilhenney, says the beer tastes of pine and red berries. Another fruit he mentions is pineapple. I usually associate that with beers brewed with Mosaic hops, which Pineberry is not. When I went back to the beer, I picked up a tinge of pineapple and some resin in the finish, but I could not ignore that overwhelming Satsuma character, which, frankly, I love. And herein lies the beauty of sensory. Though flavor interpretations don’t always sync from drinker to drinker, two people can adore the same beer even if their taste buds don’t jibe. No matter what an IPA enthusiast gets from Pineberry – Satsuma, maybe? – it’s likely they’ll love it for its bold flavor, low bitterness and overall drinkability.

Pineberry is a crisp, clear West Coast IPA that has become a new tasting-room favorite. Bright and expressive notes of pine trees, pineapple and strawberry dominate the senses. Taking advantage of multiple advanced hop products on both the hot- and cold-side applications, we were able to intensify the hops’ natural expressions of fruit and pine to their full potential. Finishing dry and clean at 6.3% ABV (alcohol-by-volume), each sip makes you crave another.”

Shawn Mcilhenney, Co-founder & Head Brewer, Mcilhenney Brewing

Mcilhenney Brewing is located at 2363 Alpine Boulevard in Alpine