Port Brewing Mongo Double IPA

Beer Name: Mongo Imperial IPA
Brewery: Port Brewing Co. (San Marcos, CA)
ABV: 8.5%.
How sold: 22 oz. (650 mL) bottles
Where bought: ShopWineDirect (online and walk-in store based in Upland, CA)****
Price: $5.99 for 22 oz. bottle

**** = Port Brewing also ships to Washington state, but I did not realize this until after purchasing it online.

Date Ordered: November 5, 2015
Date Received: November 9, 2015
Date Opened/Drank: November 9, 2015
When brewed? Year-round beer.

Where distributed: Port Brewing just ships their beers to nine states as of November 2015. Click here for where this beer is found!

What's on the Bottle: "We realize it's absurd to show a cat surfing on a beer label, but had you met Columbus, our gray brewing kitten, you too would have concluded that 'Mongo would go...' you see. Even though he only spent 8 months wandering around our brewery, Columbus earned (and eventually owned) the nickname 'Mongo.' The largest of five kittens, he was summarily bounced from the litter on the second day. Legend has it he was ostracized for being larger than life. It mattered not to him. He quickly spent all nine lives and left behind an enduring legacy. Had he not passed so suddenly, we're sure he would have paddled out on the heaviest days and marveled us with his nimble footwork at our local breaks. To commemorate his fleeting existence we created Mongo, an IPA with a resinous, bolder and more robust hop character than a traditional West Coast IPA. Go ahead, give it a chance and maybe you too can learn to live a life more Mongo."

What's on the Website: "A tribute beer brewed to honor the memory of our fallen soldier Columbus (nicknamed Mongo) who used each of his 9 lives in his short (but brazen) ten months on this planet. Mongo begins with a massive resinous aroma created by the judicious use of Columbus, Amarillo and Cascade hops. The initial taste reveals notes of Orange, Mango and citrus fruits with a piney bitterness and hoppy spice with some mild malt flavors on the finish." Read more here!

REVIEW:

Appearance (5%): Poured a hazy orange-amber into a pint glass. Unfiltered beer with residue sinking to the bottom. Several millimeters of white head leaves a sudsy surface. 4.25/5

Smell (25%): A mix of tropical citrus (orange, grapefruit, etc.) with malty and pine notes. 4.25/5

Taste (40%): Wonderful combination of tropical, malty, and piney flavors. Some alcohol detected, but still very drinkable. Rather smooth, any bitterness held in check nicely. 4.25/5

Mouthfeel (10%): Medium to medium-full, malty/syrupy body. Slight carbonation. 4.25/5

Overall (20%): A great IPA. Another beer I picked up for its high ratings on BeerAdvocate and RateBeer, and this did not disappoint. A nice deal at about $6 for a Double IPA. I personally like the label (heavy surfer's influence and an awesome tribute to a loved pet/family member). Totally worth buying, especially if you're in the unfiltered Double IPA mood. 4.25/5

Final Weighted Rating: 4.25/5