If you think a blind IPA taste test is a way for a few friends to get together on a Sunday and enjoy a few beers, you are wrong. This is science at its finest. It is the reason why the scientific method is taught in biology classes. To quote Walter Sobchak (John Goodman) in The Big Lebowski (click the link with caution), “This is not ‘Nam. This is bowling, there are rules,” said to Smokey (Jimmie Dale Gilmore). The seriousness of Smokey stepping over the foul line sums up the importance of the blind IPA taste test. Similarly to bowling, a game many think as recreational, the beer drinking occurred for research purposes only. There was no enjoyment. It was an arduous task, but someone had to do it. Those appointed few had to figure out, what New England based brewery produces the best IPA?
The Questions
If it were only that easy. Stumbling upon a decent IPA from a local brewery in New England is similar to encountering a stone wall or a town green. It has become ubiquitous. The question of how to choose what beers was important. Additionally, the price point for a four pack of sixteen-ounce cans often averages around $18. So cost had to be factored in somehow. The brains behind the IPA blind taste test had to figure out all of this. How do we choose the beers? How many should we choose? What about the purchasability; can you buy them in a store or brewery only? What is the best beer for the price? Is it worth paying $20 for a four pack of brewery only beers or can I find something equally as great for cheaper at the package store? These questions had to be considered.
Background research for the blind IPA taste test
The blind IPA taste test literally was about a year in the making. Comparing notes, tweaking parameters, many sleepless nights in planning the perfect event. During a fateful evening at Speedwell Tavern in Plymouth, Mike Ruuska and I set the rules. And just like in league bowling, there have to be rules.
After much discussion this was what we decided on:
- All beers are IPAs, no double, triple, IPLs, etc
- The beers have to be from New England (not necessarily New England style though)
- All beers will be bought at the local package store (no specialty shops, no brewery only)
- The event will take place on Sunday, November 18 (Patriots bye week, football on the TV, but will not lead to a distraction)
- All attending must bring one or two different brands
- Three four ounce pours per hour for four hours.
- Food and water to cleanse the palate between pours
- Beer is poured into a red solo cup, eliminating color from the equation
The rules were presented via email to those interested in attending. One attendee, Adam Mannar thought there should be another element. His suggestion was that the beers be kept a secret in who buys what. The group texted my wife, Jackie what beers they purchased. All she would do was write back to make sure there are no repeats.
The Event:
In all nine judges cleared their calendars on that fateful day in November. It didn’t matter what plans came up: weddings, kids’ sports games, jury duty, this had to happen, remember in the name of science. Jackie (with help from the child labor she employed) distributed the red cups full of four-ounce mystery IPAs. The blind IPA taste test had begun! It was four hours of sampling, taking thorough notes and ranking on a scale of one to five by .25 increments.
The food was delicious. Stuffed pretzels from Tar Bar in Plymouth was the food of choice. The three varietals were the Reuben, vegetable, and cheese pretzels. These behemoths are more like a calzone, not a traditional pretzel. They were served for years at the Driftwood Public House and after closing last year, are revived at the Tar Bar. They are just as tasty!
Here were the beers:
- Wormtown Be Hoppy
- Mayflower IPA
- Lawson’s Sip of Sunshine
- Hog Island Outermost IPA
- Long Trail Vermont IPA
- Ipswich 1620 IPA
- Castle Island Keeper
- Smuttynose Finest Kind
- Harpoon IPA
- Samuel Adams New England IPA
There were two judges that did break the rules in terms of geography. Of course, this was a blind taste test, so we were not aware of it until later. Walter in The Big Lebowski did pull a firearm and threaten Smokey after his foot fault. Violence is not condoned at the blind IPA taste test, but it was painful that Bell’s Two Hearted and Toppling Goliath Golden Nugget (although both very good beers) were poured. These are from Michigan and Iowa respectively. Additionally, some of the judges were only present for half of the event or less!
The results of the blind IPA taste test:
Best overall:
- Ipswich 1620
- Mayflower IPA
- Toppling Goliath Golden Nugget
- Lawson’s Sip of Sunshine
- Long Trail Vermont IPA
- Bell’s Two Hearted
- Wormtown Be Hoppy
- Hog Island Outermost
- Smuttynose Finest Kind
- Sam Adams NE style
- Harpoon IPA
- Castle Island Keeper
For price point:
- Mayflower
- Bell’s
- Long Trail
- Ipswich
- Smuttynose
- Hog Island
- Harpoon
- Sam Adams
- Wormtown
- Toppling Goliath
- Sip of Sunshine
- Castle Island
Analyze the Results
For the next round, we will take the highest top three ranked beers from this list and compare them to New England’s brewery only offerings. Was it science? Maybe, or maybe not. Later that evening I had the least ranked beer, the Castle Island, and thoroughly enjoyed it. A few days later, I poured an Ipswich, liked it, but was not over the moon. All in all, it was a fun way to try some local beer in the presence of good company. Did we prove anything by this blind IPA taste test? I am not sure, but it is fun and tasty to drink good beer with friends. Until next time, cheers!
For more eastern Connecticut beer, click here.
For a brewery road trip, click here.
