A few weeks ago, I just happened to walk to into one of my favorite local beer bars at the exact moment they started selling cans of Spaced Out, Alvarado Street Brewery’s collaboration DIPA with Moonraker Brewing Company; a serendipitous moment that allowed me to pick up a four-pack of the stuff, something I haven’t seen available since.
We cracked open a can a few days later, and OMG it’s delicious.
For Spaced Out, Alvarado used “a blended yeast strain to drive tropical aromatics and flavor compounds.” The beer is dry hopped with cryo and traditional pellets, and includes Oregon estate heirloom barley and a good amount of Spelt to give it a “pillowy, chewy texture.”
The result is an incredibly juicy IPA with pineapple, mango and orange notes that I couldn’t stop drinking. My boyfriend and I each had a can that first night and immediately wished we had grabbed a few more four-packs while we could.
From the second you crack open the can you get hit in the face with all that tropical fruit. Each sip is full of mango, guava and pineapple — it’s an exceptionally juicy IPA that’s really easy to drink. If I didn’t know it was a double, I would definitely have mistaken it for something a little lighter. At 8.10% it’s not too high of an ABV, but you’ll still feel a few of them and they go down so easy.
Overall, it’s a beautiful IPA from two makers of fantastic IPAs. if you happen upon a four-pack absolutely pick one up, and grab one for me as well.
Brewery: Alvarado Street Brewery + Moonraker Brewing Company
City: California
Style: American Double/Imperial IPA
ABV: 8.1%
Availability: Limited