Ryder Cup IPA Special

This week Chicago hosts one of the worlds greatest sporting events, the Ryder Cup. The best golfers from the USA and Europe will go head to head for two years worth of bragging rights. While there is a serious side to this competition, it is also a chance for players to let off some steam and for once play as a team. With this spirit in mind (and needing to know what to drink for the weekend) Empty Glass has decided to hold a Europe vs USA IPA competition. May the best team win.

Goose Island IPA: With Chicago hosting this years event, it would be wrong to choose a beer from anywhere else to represent America. And the city's most famous craft brewery is undoubtedly Goose Island Beer. For the last 25 years this company, which started out as a brew pub, has steadily grown to become one of America's largest craft brewers. Today they produce some 50 beers a year, with this IPA being one of the bedrocks. This beer is a dark gold colour and initially it smells quite yeasty. This bread like character continues and is joined by the herbal aroma of the different hops. On the palette this beer definitely has some orange with a good, long, bitter hop finish. Overall, this brew is a very solid IPA which has the balance of hops just about right. Score: 16/20

Brew Dog Punk IPA: A Spainiard may be the European captain this year, but Scotland is the home of golf. And no Scottish craft brewery is more infamous than Brew Dog. These madmen have been turning out a whole range of expertly named beers since 2007; and they proudly hold the record for the worlds strongest beer, the 42% Sink The Bismark. Brew Dog's trademark beer though is the Punk IPA. This amber coloured ale is all about hops. The nose is always reminiscent of orange rind and lovely herbs. On the palette this beer definitely brings the bitterness for which IPA's are known. However, this brew also has notes of honey and caramel. Overall, the Punk IPA continues to be a well crafted beer with attitude. Score: 15/20


Verdict: While both of these beers are very good, there always has to be a winner. In this case it is the Goose Island IPA by a point. Why? The Goose Island has a longer and more exciting finish than Brew Dog's offering. This could be put down to the higher alcohol level in the American beer. Either way, these beers are both good representatives of their continents and I hope they keep you refreshed during this exciting week.

Will