Left Hand’s Warrior IPA is a seasonal IPA that is only brewed one time a year and features Colorado-grown whole-flower Cascades and Warriors, as well as varieties from their own estate and contributions from their local area. This IPA is a communal effort, which is why it’s a proclaimed “cult classic.” At Left Hand, this seasonal is a big deal. Let’s see how it pleases a Midwesterner.

Chilled, poured from a bomber straight up-and-down into a classic snifter. It’s a reddish amber color (they call it bronze). I am immediately disappointed with the one-finger head, which sucks. This bottle did sit in my fridge for the better part of one month – maybe it wasn’t sealed properly. The Warrior IPA, despite all the hop talk, doesn’t really smell proud to be an IPA. Not much happening here, and I do not have a sinus infection, so my nose is keen. That’s letdown number two. Things are not looking good. Come on Left Hand, make an actual lefty proud (that’s me)…

Unfortunately, after a sip, it’s three strikes. The Warrior IPA tastes of weak sauce. The flavor just simply does not deliver like I was hoping it would. Did they elevate the malts too much? I’m not sure what it is. There are Cascades but barely any pines. It may be more drinkable than other American IPAs at 6.6% ABV, but this is the first IPA I am not going to finish, and that’s deliberate because I have a Super Bowl party later on, and I don’t feel like wasting my sobriety on the Warrior IPA.

I have nothing against Left Hand. I wonder if I just got a bad bottle. Too bad there are so many beers I’m looking forward to trying that it will be a long time before I make it back around to this one. Maybe it’ll be better next time. If you’re into IPAs and are searching for the best of them, let me say that this one is okay to skip.

ABV: 6.6%

Grade: C