Just Beer Project Just IPA

The timing of the now infamous Slate article and this beer coming to my knowledge happened perfectly. Not two days before that article came out (in which they basically ripped into hop heads for being obsessed with hops) I was contacted by the Just Beer Project asking if I'd like to sample their new beer Just IPA. Of course, I said yes and began reading up on just what the Just Beer Project is. Since they went through all the trouble of putting out a mission statement, I'll quote the part I feel best describes their goal.

The Just Beer Project's mission is to deliver beer drinkers un-complicated, world-class craft brews that are delightful in their simplicity - nothing too complicated or exotic and with all natural ingredients. Our beers are sessionable, staying in the 5% ABV range, and focus on a great balance between malt and hops. 

I don't know about you, but that's something I can get behind. No, I'm not saying I wholeheartedly agree with the Slate article, but there is some merit in what they said. Many times I've found myself wishing there was more innovation in areas not concerning higher ABV and IBU counts.

So, did their initial offering Just IPA live up to the credo? Let's find out.

It's not 2000 IBU's. The hops weren't harvested from the grounds of a temple in the heart of a jungle that you've never heard of. This beer won't change your attitude. We're not trying to scare you or numb your tongue.

Style: IPA
ABV: 5.2%
IBU:  45

Appearance: Golden in color with about a fingers worth of head. It's a pretty beer and it's got a look that says "hey, it's hot out! Drink me!".

Nose: Not incredibly complex, but don't let that or their mission statement fool ya. There is a lot going on here, even if the aroma isn't super complex. They hop with Chinook, Ahtanum, Citra, and Cascade. And then they dry hop it with citra, simcoe, and cascade. Personally, I felt like the Cascade hops came across most prominently.

Taste: Just IPA does what it set out to do. It's an easy drinking IPA. You don't have to sit around developing a coronary because you're trying so hard to spot some specific taste in the background. It is what it is. Just IPA is just an ipa that goes down smooth and is palatable enough that you can go back in for more than one. The hops hit you up front, but not in an overwhelming astringent  manner. And the finish is dry but the hop impact is diminished quite a bit.

Final Verdict: This beer goes down so easy. In fact, I finished my beer long before I was done writing this post and that almost never happens. There is no doubt it's an IPA and it lives up to the Just Beer Project's stated goal of sessionablity. It's not available everywhere just yet, but if you do come across this beer be sure to find out what it's all about. Right now, Just IPA is available on draft in Pittsburgh, Virginia Beach, and Baltimore. Come June 1, the fine folks of Central New Jersey will also be able to find Just IPA.

For those of you in my neck of the woods, if this sounds like a beer you'd be into you can find it at JD's Smokehouse Bar & Grill, Plug Ugly's Publik House, Freddie's Ale House, Mother's Federal Hill Grille, and Social Pub and Pie.