I am lucky enough to have friends that go to Mammoth on a regular basis and thinking of me they brought back a 22oz of a limited release Devils Postpile Ale from Mammoth Brewing. This is a fantastic beer, listed as 7.5% ABV and 50 IBU.
If you're not aware, Devil's Postpile is a National Monument right near Mammoth. It's a volcanic formation and quite cool looking, formed about 100,000 years ago.
Anyway. According to the label they say it's brewed with ESB (not sure?) Crystal and melanoidin malts and centennial hops. Part of the process they say is
That couldn't be a more accurate statement. I am not a big fan of "C" hops but this is a pretty amazing beer; think medium bodied bock meets a really nice (not over the top) IPA. And I mean real IPA by the numbers, not the tongue-splitting IPA's that are needed to win awards these days.Mammoth Brewing Co wrote: "... Using Superheated volcanic rocks in the tradition of an old world brewing process to create a "super-boil", the Devils Postpile Ale exhibits a unique maltiness imparted through the caramelization of wort not easily attained with a regular brew kettle."
This would be the perfect beer to demonstrate the difference between the perception of sweetness and maltiness as this beer is really not sweet but incredibly malty.
If you are fortunate enough to come by this beer; grab it!!!!!!!!!