Drank: Two Dogs IPA (Coalition Brewing Co.)

By MARTIN CIZMAR

I wasn't excited to try Coalition's Two Dogs IPA. Most new Northwest IPAs are basically alpha acid concentrates with none of the fresh, zesty hoppiness I love. But the guy pouring samples of the newly bottled beer at New Seasons insisted. "It's kind of a throwback," he said. "We're making an IPA like they were before the arms race." He was right. Two Dogs tastes like the IPAs I went nuts for five years ago. I brought home a bottle. I liked that bottle so much I ended up pedaling back from the brewery with a growler tied between the ear straps of my bike helmet. I resembled, I'm told, a very dumb Saint Bernard. A great IPA can have that effect. Coalition's magnificently balanced ale has the crisp bitterness of dandelion leaves with a melty caramel sweetness. This is a beer you remember loving, even as you sip your first pint. Recommended.

WWeek 2015

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