Because I’m always interviewing for this year’s beach beer, today we’re starting out with Drake’s Kick Back IPA. This beer first debuted on draft at Session Fest and last year it helped raise over $10K to support East Bay Regional Parks. Kick Back is a sessionable IPA that is brewed with Simcoe, Mosaic and El Dorado hops and at 4.3%-AbV, it’s perfect for the summer, and perfect for the beach….so how does it taste?
Kick Back pours a rich golden color with loads of apricot and citrus aromas. If you love peach aromas in your hops, this is your beer. The flavors follow with apricot, citrus and a really flavorful balance of tropical fruit flavors and a crisp clean finish. The hop-force is strong with this one and the mouthfeel and satisfying flavors in the beer really surprised us when we read the AbV. If big hop flavor and being able to stand up at the end of the day is important to you (as it is to me) then Kick Back IPA will allow you to do just that…and I can’t wait to try it on the beach.
Up next we couldn’t resist their new Foraging Raccoon IPA. This beer pays tribute to their “mischievous trash panda” and it is now available in bottles. Originally designed as part of their “X” Series of IPA’s, Foraging Raccoon uses El Dorado, Equinox, Lemondrop, Mandarina Bavaria and the new Idaho #7 hops as well as a “simple grist” to create the final recipe. 
Foraging Raccoon digs in with early citrus and tangerine aromas with just a touch of slightly sweetened lemon. The aromas finish with sticky citrus as the flavors begin with tangerine and lemon. The balance of this beer is incredible and the mouthfeel is light and clean. The hops launch in with tropical fruits and finish with a dank citrus we really liked. All in all this is a really exciting IPA and at 7.5%-AbV and 80 IBU, you will enjoy it more with each sip. 
Foraging Raccoon is available now in 22oz bottles and Kick Back IPA is available now in 12oz bottles and on draft…so get out there and try both of these beer for yourself. And when you do sample them, be sure to let us know what YOU think.
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