Craft breweries are known to push the limit when creating their beer.  They are also known to push the envelope when naming their beers.  Deciding on the name of a new beer is a big deal.  With so many bottles to choose from, breweries need their beers to stand out and be remembered.  Names like Arrogant Bastard (Stone Brewing Co.), Bad Ass (Michigan Brewing Co.), and the topic of today’s Tuesday Tasting, Raging Bitch, now grace the shelves of our local beer stores. 

These names are not without controversy.  The state of Michigan recently banned the sale of Raging Bitch within its boarders.  The maker of the brew, Flying Dog Brewery, filed suit to repeal the ban and as of this month has been granted permission to sell their beer in the state. 

Raging Bitch is a Belgian-style IPA.  This relatively new style reflects the growing influence American beer drinkers are having on the world market.  Not known for making hoppy beers, Belgian breweries have started to up the bitterness of their suds to appeal to the twisted palates of the States.  The style does manage to maintain some subtleties of the Belgian brewing tradition including fruity esters and peppery notes.

Appearance
The beer is golden in color with a touch of copper.  It is very clear and clean looking.  A two finger head forms and reminds the drinker that this is a Belgian-style beer.

Smell
A quick sniff fills the nose with sweet smelling fruits.  Pear and grape standout with a bit of sour yeast notes.  The strong pine and citrus aromas of an American IPA are noticeably absent, but a softer more subtle hop essence us present.

Taste
The fruit in the nose is mirrored in the taste.  Apple and pear, common flavors produced by Belgian yeast, hit the tongue upfront.  That is followed up by a hop bitterness, albeit a gentler more casual bitterness than is typical of the IPA style.  The beer finishes with a hint of yeast and a slight earthiness.

Mouthfeel
Light to medium in body leaning towards the lighter side.  A dry finish is complemented by a medium to high level of carbonation.

Drinkability
Borrows some of the best from Belgian-style beers and big American IPAs.  This is a well balanced beer with a complex combination of flavors from both sides of the Atlantic.  A very enjoyable pint, that complimented the Hapa’s Brewing 4th of July Barbeque.  Overall grade for Raging Bitch Belgian-Style IPA: B


Raging Bitch Belgian-style IPA

Up next on Tuesday Tastings: Dogfish Head’s Palo Santo Marron Brown Ale