When I was talking to Evan about his appearance on Cincy Brewcast last week he said he’d bring us a little beer surprise, and if you know me…there isn’t a shorter way to get me excited then to surprise me with beer.  But this one is really a great one, in my opinion.  Braxton Beta is a great addition to the tap lineup down in Covington for a few different reasons but mainly because of the one complaint I hear about Braxton from people…

There aren’t enough IPAs.

Let me start this post with a very clear statement – There are plenty of IPAs in craft beer, and it takes a lot to get me talking about an IPA as being “important” anymore.  There has to be something else about it to get me to turn my head.

So, what’s so special about Braxton Beta then, that get’s me to sit here typing away in the early hours of this morning?

Beta10_BadgeBraxton Beta

The Braxton Beta Program is something to ignite creativity.  When you talk about Braxton Brewing Company, you can’t leave out the stuff that makes them special – and one of the major parts of the brewery’s identity is their dedication to start-ups and their co-working space.  Beta is almost an offshoot of that part of them as much as it is about the beer.

For the Beta Program, the brewing team has a blank slate to work with… It’s an IPA..ish.  What that means can shift, and change with the shifting and changing whims of their desires.  At the end of the day, when a team is left with that much creative control, the people that really benefit are us as drinkers.

Setting the series of we have Beta 1.0.

Braxton Beta 1.0

Beta 1.0 is a 7% IPA that sits right in a sweet spot for me.  It’s not too high in alcohol, it’s not too bitter…it’s just an IPA.  It’s a great IPA, don’t get me wrong, but it doesn’t have to smack you around to remind you that it’s delicious.  There is a generous dosage of hops in this with some Citra, Mosaic and Equinox forming a wonderful fruity taste and aroma.  The best way that I can describe it is “Damn Good.”

It’s on tap now in the Braxton Garage, and you really need to get down to their taproom and give it a go.

For anyone who has been complaining that they aren’t doing “enough hops” – this is a week for you.  The really exciting part though, is potential for this series to really ignite some fun ideas in the brewery.  If something really great pops up, we might see it move to a larger production… If not… No one is all to worried.  This is a place for the brewers to have fun – and that’s what makes it special.

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