Samuel Adams – Rebel Grapefruit IPA – A First Sampling

I’ll admit that when I brought you all a peek at this new beer coming to the Samuel Adams Rebel series of IPA’s back in Sept., I started drooling a little.  After all, I really like IPAs infused with grapefruit, and I’ve really enjoyed some of the other Rebel IPAs so I knew Samuel Adams likely had a winner on their hands.  So it was really exciting to arrive home yesterday to find a pre-release sample of Samuel Adams Rebel Grapefruit IPA waiting for me.

Samuel Adams Rebel Grapefruit IPA is the newest member in the “Rebel family” and the beer will hit 6.3%-AbV and a hoppy 52 IBU…and I’ll bet you’re wondering how it tastes.  The color is gorgeous, but the aroma will quickly catch your attention.  This beer uses real grapefruit peel and juice and it’s really prominent and really pleasant in the nose.  The flavor is bright, and citrusy with a bit BIG hit of grapefruit.  I really liked the dry tropical fruit flavors, but the grapefruit flavor is my favorite, especially how well it matches up with the Mosaic hops on board.  The finish is clean and the tart flavors follow through at the end making you want to taste more.  All in all this is a really well balanced and really good IPA with lots of grapefruit in the aroma and flavor (have I said the word “grapefruit” enough yet?).  Look for Rebel Grapefruit IPA will go nationwide on draft in Nov with cans and bottles to follow in early 2016.

As a bonus Samuel Adams included a bottle and Sam Can of their 2015 Winter Lager.  This seasonal release is brewed with cinnamon, ginger and orange peel and it simply smells great.  This beer was first introduced in 1989 and it is a spiced wheat bock that is perfect for the cooler fall weather here in the northeast.  The beer is spicy, malty and well balanced and at 5.6%-AbV and 22 IBU it is a really drinkable winter brew.  Look for Winter Lager to hit shelves in Nov and it will also be part of the Samuel Adams Winter Classics variety pack with Boston Lager, Old Fezziwig Ale, Chocolate Bock, Holiday Porter and the new Sparkling Ale.

Be sure to try Samuel Adams Rebel Grapefruit IPA and Winter Lager for yourself and as always, be sure to let me know what YOU think.