Stash IPA - Independence Brewing Review
Another Texas Icon coming at ya! This time out of Austin, Texas’s own Independence Brewing. If you’ve been around the Texas beer game a while, you’ve undoubtedly heard of Indy Brewing, and you’ve undoubtedly seen the green and purple can with ‘Stash’ on the side. But with so many people moving to Texas, and so many new people getting into craft beer every day, they may not know this is a first stop on the tap list.
Stash brings the old-school IPA power at 7.5% ABV and 94 IBU, and that all starts with a beefy malt foundation of American 2-row, English Pale, Munich, Crystal, and Flaked Barley punched up with true hop classics Citra, Cascade, Centennial, Columbus, Amarillo, and Simcoe.
These are the makings of an empire-building IPA, which Independence named Stash, as in, “The Chronic of IPAs.” Bold. Very bold. So, let’s see if we can feel the slap of all 94 IBUs in this Texas Icon.
First Impressions:
On the Eyes--Golden and hazy and topped with a cream-colored head. I was thinking it might be a little darker in color with the use of Munich and Crystal Malt, but Stash undoubtedly has that classic IPA look.
On the Nose--Quite complex with citrus and earthy notes laced with a stroke of resin. Again, classic aroma, but also a bit light for 94 IBU! But still anticipating that punch.
On the Palate--Zesty citrus and resinous with a deep piney earthiness, a.k.a., complex and, you guessed it, classic. The Simcoe, Cascade, and Centennial bring the grapefruit kick with an added peppery dankness. Stash is medium-bodied with a relaxed malt presence somewhat unexpected for such an eclectic malt bill. But IPAs are about hops, and Stash has ‘em. The hop bitterness lingers through the finish, but not as much as I thought it might for a 94 IBU beer, showing nice balance.
Food Pairings: Independence suggests pairing Stash with “Spicy and umami flavors, Indian curries, Thai noodles, enchiladas, grilled meats, sharp cheeses, and key lime pie.” Hell yes!
Final Thoughts:
Just thinking about deep, bitter, and unapologetic IPAs still gets my mouth watering after all these years (and beers) of drinking. And beers like Stash are the reason why. They remind us of cutting our teeth in the world of craft beer, and, more importantly, they’re just plain good … and bold.
The peppery and earthy Simcoe and the citrusy Cascade, Centennial, and Citra remind us of moments at the barstool where the first strokes of bitterness hit us and the sweet Amarillo cooled it down. IPAs like Stash have earned, and I mean EARNED, their status in the inundated world of craft brewing IPAs, and they will remain on shelves, and even topple a few of the sweeter, fruitier, and more modern IPAs for years to come. Because that’s what Texas Icons do.
Cheers!
Mr. Brew
Check out more from Independence Brewing’s line-up — Austin Amber and Redbud Berliner Weisse.