187. Thomas Creek Class 5 IPA

Thomas Creek Brewery is located in Greenville, SC; we had this out of the bottle at Tomato Head in Knoxville, TN. Let’s just say that Tomato Head has the best brunch ever. Ever. Driving down from Dayton for brunch might be a little excessive, but I would emphasize the contingent nature of might. That’s how good it is. We’re still waiting for someone in Dayton to step up the brunch game. We’ve got the Meadowlark, but after that it is pretty much a bunch of substitute teachers. Sorry, but we call ’em as we see ’em. You love brunch and you live in Dayton, disappointed is your new middle name.

Class 5 IPA has a light crystal malt nose balanced with hoppiness; it is copper colored with an ivory head that does lace the glass a bit. Starting with a bready soft malt front that combines with some caramel, Class 5 IPA moves into a hoppy and bitter middle with resin hop flavors before finishing dry with some spicy lingering bitterness. Class 5 IPA is medium-bodied and crisp—the carbonation bite works well to round out the mouthfeel. Overall, it is a well balanced and enjoyable beer—it was better than we anticipated, and since it was the beer recommended by the waitress, it was pretty highly recommended. We would have more to say, but my friend Bill showed up at this point, and talking with him was more exciting than taking notes about beer, so we’ll end it right here.

From the Thomas Creek website: “A citrusy and crisp, fully-hopped India Pale Ale brewed for the true hop head with hop varietals ranging from Magnum & Cascade to a dry-hopping with Willamette & Centennial.”

ABV: 5,5%
IBU: 84
Malts: 2-row, Victory, Carapils, Caramel 20, Caramel 60
Hops: Magnum, Cascade, Styrian Aurora, Centennial, & Willamette

(1/3/2010)