Galaxy – A White IPA from Anchorage Brewing Company

I am admittedly late to the White IPA game.  Although the style gained momentum last year it only hit my radar when I recently overheard a waitress describing Linchpin White IPA – a collaboration between Green Flash and Founders – to the folks at the table next to me.  I ordered. I enjoyed. And White IPAs made it on my beer map.

But here I want to write about Galaxy White IPA, an offering from Anchorage Brewing Company.  While this style doesn’t have rigid guidelines surrounding it just yet, it is basically a Belgian WIT spiked with hops in the American IPA style.  Yep, that sounds (and tastes) like a very good idea.  Anchorage takes this up a notch with their Galaxy by brewing with kumquats, Indian coriander and black peppercorns.  They then age the brew in Oak wine tanks and bottle condition with a combination of yeasts, including wine yeast.  Galaxy hops are used exclusively for bittering, finishing and dry-hopping.  Good stuff.

This beer pours very light, with a yellowish haze similar to a Hefeweizen.  Carbonation level is a bit high, and a lacey head forms quickly but lasts only for the first couple of minutes.  This beer is very citrusy and fruity – partly because of the galaxy hops and partly because it’s brewed with citrus.  Even with the up-front citrus character, the spices – especially the black pepper flavor – balance it well.  Finally there is good complexity added to the flavor by ample maltiness.  I don’t know much about malt varieties, but something is making this beer quite malty, which rounds out well with the citrus and spice notes.  This is a very good brew for a hot day, and a good pre-dinner selection.  Very highly recommended.  Cheers!

ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR: Kevin has been drinking and brewing beer for more than 20 years, and enjoys re-capping the interesting craft and micro-brews that find their way into his glass.  Feel free to contact him at [email protected] to talk favorites, but hold back on the technical questions – he sees himself as more of a beer nerd than a beer expert.