September 26, 2012

196/596)  Home:  Pugsley's Signature Series:  XXXX IPA by Shipyard Brewing Company of Maine, U.S.A.:  **;  from the label:  "Extra Strength" ( 9.3%;)  "draws its name from the British brewing convention of using X's to denote style";  the name recalls Castlemain XXXX of Australia (not nearly so bold, save for the ad. campaign);  brewed with 4 varieties of hops;  grapefruit, rooty, earthy nose;  these and the taste are overpowered by the bitter force of the alcohol, thought I did detect grapefruit and floral notes;

197/597)  Home:  West Coast IPA by Green Flash of California, U.S.A.:  **1/2;  piney grapefruit nose;  pours amber;  astringent, earthy bitter hoppiness; the label indicates that this is "extravagantly hopped";  it is not the nightmare of spoilage and floating particles that others have  described but there are rumoured to hvae been two distinct batches released into LCBO stores;