Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. has long embraced the unrelenting heat of Northern California summers. Its new seasonal, Flipside Red IPA, is an adoring sendoff to those months of river days and porch-sitting nights. Available beginning in September in 12-oz. bottles and on draught, Flipside Red IPA ushers out the mild-mannered beers of summer with a deep ruby-red hue and hop vigor.
Following Flipside Red IPA in Sierra Nevada’s seasonal offerings is the 32nd annual release of Celebration Ale, one of earliest examples of an American-style IPA.
“As fall approaches, some folks gravitate toward expressive malts and others want hops to do the work. This year we have both groups covered: We’ve again produced Tumbler Autumn Brown Ale and we’re introducing Flipside,” said Ken Grossman, founder of Sierra Nevada. “When the Chico sun eases up and we drop below triple digits, I’ll take a Flipside onto the brewery patio.”
Flipside Red IPA prominently features tropical fruit and citrus hop flavors from the use of whole-cone Citra, Simcoe and Centennial hops. These hops are used both as finishing additions and in the Hop Torpedo, a proprietary Sierra Nevada device that captures more hop aroma and flavor, but not bitterness, during the fermentation process. The interplay of pale, caramel and chocolate malts firmly roots Flipside Red IPA and supplies its rich color. With just the right gusto — 6.2 percent ABV and 60 IBU — this seasonal beer is perfect for the final flash of summer.
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