My wife Kate and I had just finished a family filled holiday weekend and were back on our own. We were about to see The Shape of Water by Guillermo del Toro and spirits were high. I leaned over the bar to look down into their fridge. Hidden down in the corner behind all of the Bud Light, Coors Light, and Kirin Light was some sort of beer with a green label. I ordered it.

Kate did the honors and had first taste. I anticipated her usual bitter beer face, as it was an IPA. Nothing. “This is good!” she said. Next, I read the label which said:

Redhook Long Hammer IPA is a West Coast classic. The generous addition of hops during the brewing and fermentation process gives our India Pale Ale its characteristic bitterness and piney citrus aroma and flavor. Piney aromas and citrus flavors come from a generous addition of hops during the boil and dry-hopping at the end of fermentation. Tracing its heritage from another Redhook classic beer, Ballard Bitter, Long Hammer IPA is one of America’s favorite IPAs and Seattle’s #1 local IPA.

I took a sip and I was sold. This is a truly well-balanced beer from start to finish. I highly recommend it.

Long Hammer IPA: 4 out of 5

Matt