Beer of the Week: Salute

From the Beer Writer: I’ve been drinking West Coast IPAs for 23 years. Like most people, I try to spend as little time as possible thinking about the passage of the years, but I was recently prompted to do just that after my first sip of this week’s featured beer, Salute IPA. Considering I’ve sampled literally thousands of IPAs of all kinds at this point, one might wonder what was so special about this one. Allow me to explain. The beer’s woodsiness takes me back to when every hoppy beer of West Coast origin tasted like a pine forest. Ditto the dankness and a nice, but not overbearing bitterness in the finish. But this beer has far more dimension, adding on whiffs and swallows of bright peach with a hint of mango. I’ve long wondered what an ideal blend of yesteryear and the fruit-forward character of modern-day hops would taste like if done just right. For my money, this creation from Vista-based WestBrew satisfyingly answers that question. And that aforementioned money goes to a good cause, namely the Wounded Warrior Project. WestBrew is a Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE for those who’ve spent time soliciting business from government enterprises) and contributes a portion of the proceeds from this beer to those who’ve served—and sacrificed themselves for—our country. I didn’t need another reason to appreciate this beer, but this fringe benefit is one that makes my heart as happy as my taste buds.

From the Brewer: “Salute was a beer that we made to honor those who have served and who currently protect our country. WestBrew is a veteran-owned brewery, and that really helps us connect with soldiers and fuels our desire to support what they do through what we do: make beer. This West Coast IPA features Mosaic, Sabro, Talus, Idaho 7 and HBC 630 hops. Including five hop varietals in an IPA is something I don’t normally do, but the finished product is outstanding. The aroma bursts with peach and pink grapefruit. From the first sip, Salute blasts you with fruit flavors, followed by a mellow bitterness and ending with a touch of woodiness. This beer has so many dimensions to it, but it isn’t all over the place. Each flavor is balanced, transitioning from one to the next and making this beer truly one of a kind. Be sure to come enjoy a pint at our locations in Vista and Del Mar, where 10% of proceeds will go to the Wounded Warrior Project.”—Cody Gagnon, Head Brewer, WestBrew