The Brew Man Group – Smash Bomb Atomic IPA

This is Dan and Neil’s fifth term writing as The Brew Man Group.  As such, we are starting to run out of new styles of beer to cover.  Given the time of year and the holidays that are fast approaching, we were hoping to report on an Oktoberfest beer or a pumpkin ale, but sadly the hand that feeds seems to have arthritis or some shit because the LCBO is being rather sluggish at bringing in the fall seasonal beers.  In this predicament, we’ve decided to talk about a beer that’s relatively new on the Ontario beer scene, a beer that (in certain geographical regions) would blend in with dozens of others, but in our colonial province, stands out like an abortionist at a Palin rally.  The beer of which we speak is Flying Monkeys’ Smash Bomb Atomic IPA, a West-coast style IPA that has yet to hit LCBO shelves, but has graced many a beer-bar in Toronto (C’est What, Bar Volo) and recently, our very own Kickoff.  For those of you paying attention, you might bitch us out for having already written on the subject of the India Pale Ale, and that the Brew Man Group is running out of ideas.  First of all, shut up.  Second, this one’s an American style IPA, not a British one.  Third, since there are new students on campus who may or may not be familiar with our column, it is somewhat necessary to remind everyone that Keith’s is NOT an IPA, so pour that crap down the sink and read on.

Dan: Legend says the IPA was crafted by the Brits in the late 18th century as a stronger, well-hopped pale ale to be shipped to the troops in India, with both alcohol and hops acting as natural preservatives for the long trip.  While it is generally accepted that George Hodgson’s India Ale was the first of its kind to exploit the Indian market in the 1790s, with several other breweries trying to latch on to its success, it is unclear whether the beer was actually designed for this purpose or if the troops in India just didn’t want to drink porters in the hot weather.

Regardless, today’s American IPA (AIPA), particularly the West coast interpretation, consists of an ale of similar strength to its ancestors (approximately 6.5% ABV), but is generally lighter in colour and uses (staggering amounts of) American hops such as Cascade and Amarillo that focus on citric, spice, and floral flavours, contrasting the earthy, woody, sometimes herbal flavours of British hops.  Also essential is the practice of dry-hopping, which refers to adding hops to the beer as it is fermenting, providing a more intense hop aroma and flavour without much effect on the bitterness.

Neil: Dedicated Brew Man Group readers are no strangers to Ontario Craft Breweries. But for our newest, most sensitive minds (aka Frosh), the Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery is a citadel unto beer, stationed in the holy land of Oz (actually, the lakefront of local Barrie). Recently, I was given the chance to volunteer at the brewery for a week, learning the fine art of making, and drinking beers routinely. No word of a lie, my end of day assignment (after brewing beer) was to taste test rival brews from around Ontario and compare them to the likes of Hoptical, Netherworld and Smash Bomb. Life was good… Anyways, Flying Monkeys is co-owned and led by brew master (and in his own words “Chief Executive shit-stirrer”) Peter Chiodo, a real lover of unique beers. Since the brewery’s inception (post-Robert Simpson Brewing Co. for you history buffs), Peter has introduced dry-hopping into most of his beer lineup using a curious device called the hoppopotamus; including the very, VERY hoppy Smash Bomb Atomic IPA.

Dan’s thoughts: From the first whiff of the billowy, persistent head, I knew I was going to like this beer.  For those who are familiar, the aroma can be reminiscent of Hoptical Illusion, but is much more intense and complex.  Where Hoptical is heavy on Amarillo hops, Smash Bomb focuses on a new American hybrid called Citra hops, consisting of 50% Hallertauer, 25% Tettnanger, and a 25% potpourri of other varieties.  And when I say ‘focuses on’, I mean there’s a f**kload of them.  Massive amounts of grapefruit, pine, and tropical fruit dominate the flavour, leaving little room for the malt profile to come through, though I can pick up a mild sweet caramel flavour.  The finish is puckering-ly bitter and quite dry, giving you little choice but to keep on gulping.  Unlike Neil, hops are not my aphrodisiac, (or cocaine, or Viagra) but I do occasionally need a fix.  To be honest, Smash Bomb is more of a hop overhaul than a fix, and I’m not sure I’d want more than a couple in an evening, but it is damn satisfying and something that our province’s underdeveloped beer scene desperately needs. [4/5]

Neil’s thoughts: Having sampled both the first pilot batch, and the second more refined follow-up, I am pleased to be a self-proclaimed “Smashed Bomber Man”! Kidding, about that play on the once popular but now lame game series… The second available (and most likely to stay) batch pours as a russet crystal-clear beer, definitely on the dark side for an AIPA. None the less, I appreciate the switch from the initial straw tone of the first batch, as now there’s some darker crystal malts to back up the mouth feel, and offset the hop assault. And hot damn, is it ever hoppy! Quite literally, this reminds me of the sensation of popping a compressed hop pellet onto the tongue, and waiting (don’t ask why, I’m a home brewer). However after a few more sips, you can start to pick out the delicate floral and fruity cacophony of flavours associated with fresh dry-hopped beer. Overall, I look forward to finally being able to show a “real IPA” to parents and the cursed consumers of Keith’s, but I feel they (and most) would find this beer too awesome to handle. Of course, there are always some minor improvements to be made in any beer, but a great start! [4/5]
*A big shout out to Peter, Yoey, Paul, Papa Smurf and the rest for a great experience.*

Recommended for consumption if you enjoy: Flying Monkeys’ Hoptical Illusion, Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA, Scotch Irish Sgt. Major’s IPA

Props to hops // Dan and Neil