Firestone Walker Unfurls the Union Jack

Firestone Walker is releasing their first India Pale Ale under the name Union Jack. It’s a double dry-hopped IPA and will be released today in bottles and on draft. It will be available through California and in parts of Nevada.

From the press release:

The technical specifications of Union Jack are 7.5 percent alcohol by volume and 70 IBUs.

“Union Jack is an American-style India pale ale that represents a flavorful twist on our British brewing heritage, as well as our singular focus on pale ales,” said Proprietor David Walker. “It also echoes some of the intensity exhibited by our recent limited-edition beers.”

The India Pale Ale style originated in 18th century Britain, when brewers learned that loading their beer with extra hops helped it survive the long voyage to the colony. The hops acted as a preservative as a result of their antibacterial and antioxidant properties.

Union Jack is double dry hopped, resulting in an intense and complex hop profile that is enhanced by fermentation in the brewery’s Firestone Union oak barrel brewing system. Citrus and apricot aromas anticipate long, fruity flavors that finish with an assertive hop bitterness.

Given Matt’s skill as a brewer, I can’t wait to give this a try.

Comments

Jim Randell says

February 8, 2008 at 5:04 pm

I stopped by the brew pub a few weeks ago and gave this beer a try…all I can say is it’s one of the best I ever had, with a significant hop aroma and flavour as well as a smooth, crisp bitterness inviting one to “have another”. Since I was driving, I didn’t, but I’m looking forward to renewing my acquaintance with Union Jack. The name’s odd in that British IPAa [modern ones] I’ve had aren’t nearly so hoppy.