When you paddle a dinghy across Lake Michigan and drag it up on the right rocks, you’ve only got a city block to lurch toward a frosty pint. Saugatuck Brewing Co. is ready to put 16 oz. of golden brew down in front of you and they’ve got two spots to make it happen. They’ve got a 45 barrel systems and 400 casks of good stuff aging at any given time. They keep six regulars on the taps year round, with two or three seasonal offerings. For almost 15 years, they’ve been getting beer across Michigan (and now across the continent) and they’ve looked good doing it. Crack open their staple IPA, the RADventure, and their thesis will cross your lips.
The American IPA is commonly fruit forward and with a dynamic hop profile. The RADventure dings both those bells. Refreshing with its strawberry and grapefruit vibes and hoppy to chop the sweetness down. Serves well at 8°C and like all IPA, sip it quick.
Pours pale enough to almost look like mineral water and with a minimum of foam or carbonation.
Off the line there’s a powerful combination of fruit flesh and green, leafy hops. The more bitter notes of grapefruit zest hide behind the bold scent of the berries and melon. Very little can be teased of the malt.
The hops in this beer stomp through you tongue’s living room with heavy boots. They’re slightly herbal and mostly leafy, with little evolution in their flavour during the taste. After is the fruit character — contrary to the nose, the grapefruit stands tallest among them, with the melon and strawberry playing second fiddle. The body is light and the finish is fairly dry, which ends the taste experience quite quickly.
Fruity, hoppy, light and powerful — it’s surf and turf time. Lean on the shrimp and scallops, but stay clear of anything too rich.