I'm just going to say it:  I am not a fan of India Pale Ales. I don’t personally have anything against them, just not my style. I mean, the flavor is there—I like a nice herby, citrusy, peppery, floral, toasty aroma and flavors from hops. I definitely appreciate them. But what my palate doesn’t enjoy is the bitterness. It doesn’t matter how good the flavor is, if my mouth get sideswiped like a t-bone collision of bitterness it will not fly by me.

But here’s the thing:  I have found an IPA that changed me into a believer—it’s another one of my “game changers.” It is Argus Brewery's Pegasus IPA. This beer is PHENOMENAL, out of this world. Super intense flavors—everything I am looking for in an IPA with nice herby, citrusy, peppery, floral, toasty aroma. It has a malty backbone that pairs and balances the bitterness so nicely. I am in love with this beer.

The malt is what makes it completely different and unique from most of the IPAs out there today. What is malt you may be asking? Malt is germinated cereal grains that have been dried in a process known as "malting." The grains are made to germinate by soaking in water, and are then halted from germinating further by drying with hot air. Malting grains develop the enzymes required to modify the grain's starches into sugars. It also develops other enzymes, such as proteases, which break down the proteins in the grain into forms that can be used by yeast. Malt also contains small amounts of other sugars, such as sucrose and fructose, which are not products of starch modification but were already in the grain.

Argus has a couple other beers out as well that are also really good:  Jarrett Payton All-American Wheat Beer, Clyde’s Ale ESB, Wild Rice Ale, and Iron Horse Chicago Common. But back to the Pegasus beer. I could session this beer no problem at 6.5%--not too shabby. Did I mention the Argus brand is exclusive to our stores? Next you’re at your local ABC Fine Wine & Spirits and looking for an IPA. I challenge you to venture out and try something new. Be bold and courageous. Be changed into a believer like I am.  

John Wood, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits beer consultant

Follow me on Twitter @abcbeerjohnw