Jan 3, 2019

Firestone Walker Luponic Distortion No. 10

Let’s start off the new year with a review for an IPA that I encountered back in August — yes, I am that behind on posting due to a short end-of-year break. Firestone Walker’s Luponic Distortion is now on its tenth iteration and much like the few of the earlier releases that I sampled, this latest presents a great array of hop aromas and flavors.

Luponic Distortion No. 10 utilizes hop varieties from the Pacific Northwest, Germany and Australia. The result is a smooth blend of mango, peach, soft pine and grapefruit while notes of grain and a touch of cattiness fill in the cracks. The level of hop bitterness is smooth and approachable with a lasting tingle that fades slowly into the long and lightly drying finish. A lightly active mouthfeel makes for a refreshing and enjoyable drinking experience.

I’ve been a fan of the Luponic Distortion series since day one. The idea of keeping the same base recipe but switching up the hop profile isn’t new or novel (Flying Dog has done it for a while as have others), but it’s always a treat to see what a brewery can pull from the ingredient with each release. No. 10 is another great release in what has proven to be a fun line of tasty IPAs.