May 19, 2016

Firestone Walker Luponic Distortion Revolution No. 001

I like the concept between Firestone Walker’s Luponic Distortion. Much like Victory Brewing’s Perpetual IPA, the company will employ a different blend of experimental hops to deliver “…flavors that break the rules.” The first revolution of this IPA uses an undisclosed blend of six hop varieties that provides a flavor that I wouldn’t call ground breaking, more like classic.

I’m not sure if my tastebuds aren’t evolved enough to pick up all of the traits the company’s website employs when describing this beer, but it didn’t taste as dynamic as I think they had hoped. The date on the can told me I was enjoying it within a month of canning so there’s no issue there. For whatever the beer may have lacked from its marketing speak, I still found the beer damn good. It’s certainly a modern IPA, but one that also has a classic character.

Loads of grapefruit, hints of orange and pine all combine for what I would describe as a modern take on Sierra Nevada’s Pale Ale. Luponic Distortion is a flavorful IPA with a crisp mouthfeel that refreshes wonderfully. So, while I didn’t get the “mind-blowing flavors” (as described by the brewery), I did thoroughly enjoy the hell out of this wonderfully classic example of the style. The sixer that I purchased did not last long in the fridge — I can tell you that.