Beer of the Week: The Edwin Fox

From the Beer Writer: These days, people talk about West Coast IPAs as though they’re old-school. It’s an upgrade from the debunked myth that they’re dead, but before there was the West Coast IPA, there was the East Coast IPA. And before that, there was the real old-school progenitor of them all, the English IPA. Americans have made the India pale ale their own, but the style’s history and origins are deeply-rooted in that jolly old country from which we wrested our independence so long ago. Believe it or not, examples of it were once easy to find, even in gimme-the-hops-but-hold-the-malt San Diego. Now it’s tough to find any British style that isn’t a stout, much less an English IPA, so I doff my woolen cap to the new brewery that’s tapped one just two months into its existence. That operation is headquartered in the middle suite of North Park’s Brewery Igniter facility, goes by the name of Barley & Sword Brewing and brews lesser-seen historic beers in order to expand drinkers’ knowledge base through first-hand taste experiences. Their latest educational tool is this week’s featured beer, The Edwin Fox. Specialty malts provide an amicable caramel base for herbaceous English hops and yeast-borne dried dark-fruit notes, leading to a finish reminiscent of Earl Grey tea. It’s essentially unrecognizable as a modern-day IPA, and that’s both the beauty and the point of it. If we don’t know where we’ve been, we can’t appreciate where we’re going. So, drink The Edwin Fox, learn about beer and Bob’s your uncle!

From the Brewery: “The Edwin Fox is an English IPA that calls back to the origin of the India pale ale style. Named for the last remaining tall ship (her hull is now a museum in New Zealand) that delivered beer and other goods from England to India, The Edwin Fox is a true flagship for the dedication to history and tradition of beer at Barley & Sword Brewing. This English IPA has a malt-forward profile and is approachable and enjoyable for hop-heads and non-IPA drinkers alike. The herbal and citrus aroma is accompanied by a slightly sweet malt and biscuit flavor with a pleasant, medium body. The overall experience of each sip is full of flavor and does not overwhelm the palate. At 5.3% ABV (alcohol-by-volume) and 50 IBU (international bittering units), The Edwin Fox is a wonderful session IPA that will leave you and your palate ready for whatever your next journey has in store.”—Mike Howell, Owner & Brewmaster, Barley & Sword Brewing