Review: Beers of Pike Brewing, 2023 Releases
Seattle’s Pike Brewing loves its IPAs. Today we look at three of them, alongside a solid pilsner. While some are seasonal, all offerings are available in cans — and all recently repackaged and rebranded.
Pike Brewing Seattle Freeze Cold IPA – The cold IPA trend — IPA fermented at lower temperatures than normal — never really exploded, but Pike Brewing climbed aboard anyway late last year, launching a brisk, moderately hoppy experience informed by a healthy squeeze of mandarin orange and a touch of grapefruit. Considerably less effusively fruit-forward than a modern hazy, the finish evokes the earthy bitterness of a classic, west coast IPA. All told, it’s balanced and refreshing. 7% abv.
Pike Brewing Uptown Hazy IPA – Hazy in appearance, but much less so in character, this brew comes across with more of a west coast vibe, quite bitter and earthy, though not particularly piney save for just a touch of crushed evergreen needles. It’s more interesting on the finish, where some lemon peel and grains of paradise give the experience a slight lift. 6.2% abv.
Pike Brewing Post Alley Pils – A refreshing, citrus-forward pilsner, aided by its relatively high alcohol content for the category. A bold body eschews overblown cereal notes for notes of shortbread cookies and a light layer of fresh leather. Sunny on its lemony finish, with a creamy malted milk note to conclude. 5.5% abv.
Pike Brewing Waterfront IPA – A hodgepodge of Columbus, El Dorado, Cascade, Amarillo, and Magnum hops — and it works. Lemony citrus, earthy hops, and a pinch of pine give the beer a complexity the ends up with a slightly grassy, herbal character lingering on the finish. Amply bitter, with a refreshing, cleansing quality. 6.3% abv.
