A day for IPA

Everyone always snickers when National Beer Day rolls around – after all, isn’t that every day? – and today’s sixth annual National IPA Day might seem almost as redundant.

The hophead’s catnip continues to dominate the craft beer market, accounting for close to 30 percent of sales last year.  Low-octane session IPAs are particularly hot, with their numbers tripling, according to the Brewers Association.

But like Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, it is an occasion to stop and appreciate something that’s often taken for granted. (Though unlike those holidays, there are opposing viewpoints).

While we haven’t heard much about official events around the area (yet, anyway – brewers are notoriously last-minute with their announcements), here are a few ideas for celebrating locally (keep checking back for updates):

– River City is offering $1 pints and $10 growler fills of its three IPAs on tap – Riverkeeper regular and nitro, and guest handle Backwoods Logyard IPA – plus special pricing on kegs to go.  

– Selkirk Abbey also has pint and growler discounts on its Belgian-style Infidel IPA.

– Bellwether today tapped a Honey Hop braggot IPA (8 percent alcohol by volume) with a mixture of U.S. and English varietals.

– Bennidito’s Brewpub has just tapped a Truancy Double IPA honoring the 20th anniversary of its sister establishment, the original Bennidito’s Pizza. Brewed as a collaboration with Seattle’s Schooner Exact – which sold Bennidito’s its old brewhouse – the big beer (8.2 percent ABV, 87 International Bitterness Units) is generously hopped with Mosaic and Simcoe.

– For something a little different, the gin barrel-aged Head Butt IPA from Iron Goat takes on an entirely different character thanks to the aromatics from the barrel; in case it’s out at the taproom, we hear that The Blackbird just snagged a keg. And for purists, you can’t go wrong with the Goat’s recently released Mosaic IPA (5.2, 72), bright and summery with earthy notes underpinning the pronounced fruitiness.

– Twelve String's newly bottled Batch 201 IPA is starting to show up in stores (got mine today at Rocket Market).

– Wiggly Butt IPA (6.6, 69) has just gone back on tap at English Setter, joining its three other littermates: Over/Under (4.9, 85), Side by Side (5.7, 101) and Wild Flush (6.5, 117).

 However you choose to worship, the Brewers Association suggests adding the #IPAday hashtag to social media posts. Oh, and by the way, it's also National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day – though I'm not sure how well that pairing will work.