Texas Beer Nerd

First of all, I really like Rahr & Sons Ugly Pug Black Lager. Now, I shouldn’t expect that simply because of this that the Ft. Worth, Texas brewer would also make a great IPA but I was still expecting something different than what I got. Stormcloud IPA is advertised as having a German character. I don’t like when brewers mix continental European styles with what is a very British and American beer style. One Belgian-style IPA I had was just bad because that weird Belgian flavor (I can’t even really describe it but beer nerds will know what distinctive taste I’m talking about) overpowered the IPA flavor. The same is the case here with Stormcloud IPA. While there is certainly a hoppy bitterness going on, qualities of German pilsners sneak in. There’s a grain-like and grass-like quality as well as a general skunkiness. I never thought I would ever have to utter skunky and IPA in one sentence. The skunkiness is even on the aroma. Also, the beer is a bit too thin-bodied for an IPA as well, another nod to the lighter quality of a German pilsner. I’m all for experimentation and for brewers to define a signature taste but some things just shouldn’t be mixed.