Cascazilla

Ithaca Beer Co.

For those who adore hops – hop heads as they’re affectionately known – there’s usually nothing finer or more appealing than an imperial or double IPA. For the uninitiated, these big beers are like a bitter body slam to your tongue – in a good way. Teeming with the bitter oils of hop flowers, these bring huge flavors to the table. Incidentally, they also have huge alcohol contents, and generally come in big bottles.

Local brewery, Middle Ages, has a double IPA that clocks in at 10 percent alcohol by volume and Southern Tier’s Imperial IPA is 11 percent. Both of these are only available in 22 oz. This makes it tough to crack open an occasional bottle without calling it a night shortly after.

Ithaca Beer Company may have just the fix for hop heads in need of less alcoholic brew. Their Cascazilla offer more hop flavor than your average IPA, while only measuring 6.5 percent abv and coming in 12 oz. bottles. It’s not quite as aggressive as the imperial or double, but it certainly gets the job done.

In terms of styles, Cascazilla falls somewhere between a big IPA and red ale. It’s a mix between Killian’s Irish Red and Stone Ruination IPA, a pretty unlikely combination. Properly served in a pint glass, Cascazilla looks more orange than red.

Color aside, the first smell screams hops with big citrus aroma. The flavor follows up with more citrus and spicy hops and mild caramel grains. It’s no doubt bitter, but it won’t ruin any palettes like some other brews. It also doesn’t drink too heavy like some full-flavored beers.

All in all, Cascazilla is a great beer for anyone in love with hops but doesn’t like the high alcohol that tends to accompany highly hopped brews. It’s available at the Party Source on Erie Boulevard and Galeville Grocery in Liverpool in six-packs.

Beer Bites

Gritty McDuff’s Best Bitter

Two out of four mugs

Bitter-style beer can be deceiving. They aren’t actually bitter at all. Mellow and smooth, but nothing to brag about.

Clipper City Loose Cannon

Three out of four mugs

An IPA high in alcohol but with a flavor that can’t quite match up. Still worth a try for IPA fans.

Legacy Midnight Wit

Three out of four mugs

A fine wit beer and far more authentic version of the Belgian style than Blue Moon – it tastes better, too.

Okocim O.K. Beer

Two out four mugs

It really is called ‘O.K. Beer,’ and it doesn’t lie. Makes a less expensive substitute for Heineken at least.

Published on March 20, 2007 at 12:00 pm