Craft Beer Base's IPA Event

Last Wednesday Craft Beer Base near the Umeda Sky Building hosted an IPA event where they had tons of IPAs available on tap and in bottles at special prices(200 yen off if you were drinking at CBB). I planned on popping by to try the almost impossible to find in Japan Burton Baton from Dogfish Head early in the day before it ran out but as it was raining the whole time I never left!

I started off with a Citra Single Hop IPA (420 yen take out price) from De Molen as I wanted to compare it to the Mikkeller Citra Single Hop IPA. I preferred the De Molen one which seemed to have a fuller body. One thing that really blew me away with this beer was that the head of foam was so long lasting that it was still there by the time I finished my beer!




I was actually quite surprised when I got there as the place was pretty full for 1:30pm in the afternoon. Usually, when I go there during the day it is quite peaceful & quiet. This time there were a good dozen people drinking like crazy!

 Everyone was having a good time drinking IPAs so I ordered a Lagunitas Little Sumpin' Wild which I had been meaning to try for awhile. It had a funky piney aroma but a smooth spicy malt flavor followed by a spicy fruity bitterness. A very mellow IPA packing an 8.8% ABV.


 By this point I realized I couldn't keep going at the same pace as I was waiting to meet friends around 5pm I decided to slow down and grab a bite to eat. Thankfully, CBB had put a burger on their menu for the event. Actually, I have no idea why it isn't a standard part of their menu as it was fantastic! I would gladly pay 750 yen again to eat it, one of the best burgers I'd had in awhile. It really hit the spot~!







Seriously, what a great looking burger~!

By this time, the bar was getting busier and busier.




 

It was time for another beer. I decided to grab a Mikkeller Black IPA, Sort Gul. This was the first Black IPA I liked as here the malts came first. Usually, Black IPAs taste like normal IPAs but happen to be black. I think it is really tough to achieve a nice balance. I thought it was really good but to be honest it was probably not hoppy enough to properly evoke an IPA taste. I didn't mind as I enjoyed it.

Finally, my friends started to show up and we had a great time catching up and talking about our hobby: beer!

 The party was getting in full effect!

The conversation was flowing and it was time for another beer. I decided to try the Green Flash West Coast IPA as I had heard good things and it lived up to the hype as a very solid IPA.

 I then followed it up with a California Sunshine IPA and my first Scuttlebutt beer the Gale Force IPA!

 All in all it was a fantastic event! Now all I need to do is persuade Ai to add the burger to CBB's regular menu...