Review: Oskar Blues Brewery G’Knight Imperial Red IPA and Fugli Fruit IPA
It’s been a long time (2010!) since we explored any new beers from Colorado’s Oskar Blues Brewery. We’re remedying that with a look at two more of their offerings: G’Knight, an imperial, double-red India pale ale, and Fugli, a yuzu and ugli fruit-infused Indian Pale Ale.
Oskar Blues Brewery G’Knight Imperial Red IPA – This beer was brewed in tribute to another Colorado craft beer pioneer and Vietnam vet who died fighting a 2002 wild fire. It pours a dark honey color with a generous, caramel head. The aroma is pretty unique with plenty of malt but a healthy dose of cinnamon, too, along with graham cracker, some lemon zest, and a subtle peach note. The palate is refreshing but rich and syrupy at the same time with just enough hops to keep things juicy. There’s a great roasted quality to this one, balanced with vanilla, caramel, lemon peel, and golden raisin. A slight bitterness winds through everything, but it dissolves almost completely into the medium-long finish with notes of cream soda and stone fruit. Exceedingly drinkable stuff. 8.7% abv. A / $12 per six-pack
Oskar Blues Brewery Fugli Fruit IPA – This hilariously named brew was inspired by a yuzu brewer the owners made with friends in Japan. It pours a slightly cloudy honey color. The aroma is big on the fruit, which is noticeable at a decent distance from the glass with bright citrus notes of overripe grapefruit, lemon peel, and tangerine — but the Mosaic hops aren’t too far behind with their slightly chalky bitterness reigning in some of the sweetness. On the palate, things are much more subdued. The body is initially creamy but thins out considerably into a short finish with a bit of sour orange and lemon rind balanced against a slightly tangy bitterness from the hops. It’s pretty tame and not nearly as exotic as the nose led me to believe. 5.8% abv. B / $10 per six-pack
Oskar Blues Brewery G'Knight Imperial Red IPA
$12
