I hate cheap beer! I love this cheap beer. I picked up a six pace of White Hawk IPA for $5.99. Not for a minute did I think that’s cheap beer so don’t buy it. I had had another Mendocino brew and felt confident that this would be acceptable. It was more than acceptable. This is a very good cheap beer. I’ve paid double and gotten less. First the White Hawk IPA story. This IPA recipe was based on the original 1880 brew that was sent to British troops. As I understand it India Pale Ale was born of a need to supply beer in the 1800’s to British troops in India. If I was a soldier in India I’d fight for this beer. This hearty, heavily hopped ale was brewed to endure the rigors of the long voyage from Great Britain to the battle front.
Imagine yourself sitting some foxhole in sweltering heat and this beer in your hand. It pours a cloudy, darker orange with a nice 1-2 finger head that curtains down the glass as you drink it. Then the aroma invites you to enjoy hops, fruit, bread and caramels. With my interest peaked I was delighted that the taste was like the aroma. Hops hit you first then a very nice transition to caramels and fruitiness and an abundant amount of malt sweetness. A really smooth mouthfeel made me think I’d really gotten a steal at six bucks. That conviction was affirmed with a medium to thick dry finish. You’ve got to try this especially if your beer budget is low and you love hops.