Brewery: BrewDog
Location: Fraserburgh, Scotland
ABV: 6.0%
Version: Bottled
Source: Tesco

I first heard about BrewDog’s Punk IPA over at The Beer Diary and then a few days later spotted a bottle in Tesco, which I duly grabbed. I’ve said before that IPA isn’t really my first-choice when it comes to beer-style, so when I do venture out of my comfort zone, I’m looking for something special. And I’m glad to say that Punk IPA, like the Meantime IPA I tried not so long ago, is pretty damn special indeed.

I didn’t chill this “post-modern classic pale ale” before trying it, wanting to make sure that I got the full range of flavours. There was a huge hit of hops, hops and more hops, which is exactly what you want from an IPA, of course, as well as a bone-dryness that was positively Saharan. But there was also a velvety smoothness – great mouthfeel – which helped to keep both the sharpness and the alcohol nicely balanced, making this big IPA a very easy drinker indeed. I think that was the main difference between the Punk and the Stateside that I tried at Wetherspoons the other week: the Stateside (also 6%) seemed to be all about the spiky dryness. All in all, a definite hit with this non-IPA expert. I predict that I’ll be drinking this one again someday.

I’ve been reading on the BrewDog blog that they’ve been having a spot of bother with the Portman Group – the self-appointed guardians of the UK brewing industry’s moral high-ground / a cartel of major brewers determined to stamp out originality and keep the smaller guys from achieving any sort of lasting success [delete as applicable] – and as Joe pointed out they’re not the only ones.

Personally, I think any brewery that shows a bit of imagination and creativity in the face of the shelves upon supermarket shelves of mass-market blandness and bog-standardism should be applauded and lauded, not castigated and taken-to-task for the originality of the wording on its labels. As for ‘incitement to anti-social behaviour’… WTF? it’s cans of cheap, super-strength cooking-lager the yobs round our neck of the woods are knocking back on a Friday night, not 330ml bottles of micro-brewed craft beer, for crying out loud! A little perspective from the Portman Group, please? A little common sense? Too much to ask for?

Anyhow, I’ve decided to show my support for BrewDog in the best way possible: I’ve just this minute placed an order for their Stout Special mixed box (6 x Rip Tide, 6 x Paradox and I do hope I get the Caol Ila version…) with a side-order case of 2009 Prototype Special selection: three great-looking beers (including another mega-IPA) that they’re testing at the moment.

I’ll be letting you know how I get on in due course…