Don’t you hate it when breweries release a beer exclusively in a 12-pack sampler with several of their other beers? I suppose we beer enthusiasts, fickle as we are and always in search of something new, only have ourselves to blame. Still, it can be a pain if A) you can’t find that sampler or B) you really love the beer and want to buy more. Both were my dilemma with Samuel Adams Rebel Cascade IPA.
OK, you’re probably wondering how I could love the beer and want more if I never found the sampler, in this case the Samuel Adams Pack of Rebels assortment. It’s true though, I never did find that sampler. Not for lack of trying, either; I’ve been a Samuel Adams fan since there was a Samuel Adams beer at all, and I always go out of my way to find their new beers. I drink a fair amount of their regular lineup, too. Still, the only Rebel Cascade I got to try was a sole can I found in the singles section of the Sandy Springs Whole Foods beer department. I also got a bottle of Sierra Nevada Coffee Stout, another sampler only beer, so it looks like the fine folks here have no problem breaking up 12-packs for their customers.
From the brewery website:
What makes an IPA? The style has evolved with unlimited creativity but at its core those three letters signify a love of hops. This brew is the result of our own exploration of Cascade, the signature hop found in American Pale Ales and IPAs early on in the Craft movement. We returned to the US grown variety and found its confident expression voice – unabashed grapefruit rind aroma, piney resinous spice, and a hint of earthiness for a firm and striking hop character.
From the can label:
Heavy doses of Cascade hops bring notes of citrus and spicy pine with just enough bitterness to draw you back for another sip.
Ingredients from the website:
HOP VARIETIES: Cascade, Simcoe, Zeus, Summer
MALT VARIETIES: Samuel Adams two-row pale malt blend, Caramalt, and Honey Malt
YEAST STRAIN: Samuel Adams ale yeast
Samuel Adams Rebel Cascade IPA has an alcohol content of 7.3% by volume with 76 IBUs. I paid $1.99 for my can but you can usually get Sam Adams 12-packs for about $13.29 in these parts. My can is stamped best by May of 2016 on the bottom of the can.
Samuel Adams Rebel Cascade IPA pours to a bright orange color with a thick fluffy head formation and a citrus grapefruit and pine nose. Taking a sip, the beer features a solid chewy caramel malt palate up front followed by bitter grapefruit rind and piny hop character. The hops are full and flavorful and the beer finishes with a long dry bitterness. I just love the classic malt here and floral, citric, and resiny classic Cascade hop character. There’s even more pine and grapefruit as the beer warms, and I just wish it was available on a regular basis. Still, for a classic American IPA at a bargain price, you can’t do better than Samuel Adams Rebel Cascade IPA.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft
\