Guadaña

Another day, another IPA. The style has taken the world by storm in the last decade. I am still not convinced that is a good thing, but it most definitely is a thing. Every brewery is pretty much obligated to make an IPA these days. This is one of two American pale ales made by Asturias Brewing Company. Guadaña is their American style IPA offering. Elsewhere I have reviewed their APA, Hop Gangster.

I will say this right at the outset – American style IPAs are the beer I am pickiest about. They are my favorite type of beer, and the one I have the most experience brewing myself. I am a very harsh critic of pretty much every attempt to make American IPAs without actually being in America and learning to brew them there.

That said, I am satisfied with Guadaña. It comes much closer to the mark than many of the supposedly American style IPAs I have had in Spain.

Pairing Guadaña

As I have said, I prefer IPAs to most other beers, particularly when I just want to drink a beer and not think too much about it. So for me personally, IPAs go with anything. Cook out? IPA. Mexican food? IPA. Pulled pork barbecue? IPA.

Unfortunately, several of those go-to IPA pairings are scarce as hen’s teeth around these parts. So I have found some new pairings I enjoy with Guadaña. While there are no burrito or fajita joints to go to, there are plenty of parrilas – restaurants specializing in grilling things over wood coals. And the signature parillada – some of everything on a giant platter to share – goes perfectly with this beer.

I am also a fan of this with desserts – or at least Spanish ones. I find desserts in Spain to be much sweeter than in the States, so the hoppy bitterness of Guadaña helps rein in that sugar overload.

Style Guidelines

Color: Deep Copper (17 SRM)
- Standard: Pale to copper (4-12(8-24 EBC) SRM)
Clarity: Chill haze, and some slight hop haze.
- Standard: Chill haze is acceptable at low temperatures. Hop haze is allowable at any temperature.
Perceived Malt Aroma & Flavor: Very low but present
- Standard: Medium-low to medium intensity malt attributes are present in aroma and ﬂavor
Perceived Hop Aroma & Flavor: Very bold hop aroma. Somewhat less hop flavor but still very much hop forward
- Standard: High to very high, exhibiting a wide range of attributes including ﬂoral, piney, citrus, fruity (berry, tropical, stone fruit and other), sulfur, diesel-like, onion-garlic, catty, resinous, and many others.
Perceived Bitterness: High (60 IBUs)
- Standard: Medium-high to very high (50-70 IBUs)
Fermentation Characteristics: Fruity esters front and center. Boozy.
- Standard: Fruity esters are low to high. Diacetyl and DMS should not be present.
Body: Medium
- Standard: Medium-low to medium

Tasting Notes

Not quite as full a mouth feel as you might be used to with American IPAs like Bell’s Two Hearted, but a solid on-style example nonetheless.