Elysian Avatar Jasmine IPA

Out comes the sun, pop goes the IPA!  Despite my memories of my flight at Elysian Brewery in Seattle being a mixed bag Elysian Avatar Jasmine IPA stands out in my memory as one of their more notable offerings.

Elysian Avatar Jasmine IPA was an ever-so-slightly hazy amber with a creamy white head as I poured it into the glass.  It’s nose carried the jasmine through with some nectarine backing from the hops.  It was managed to capture complex floral notes without being cloying or too perfume-like.  

Elysian Avatar Jasmine IPA began with a surprisingly sweet start; a little thick in the body.  As the IPA settled it took on a surprisingly dry, toasted malt middle that one wouldn’t expect from an IPA.  As Avatar Jasmine IPA faded, the jasmine and more floral notes in the nose became most prominent.

Elysian Avatar Jasmine IPA is a little sweeter and less hoppy than a typical IPA; coming off more like a pale ale.  The jasmine is a nice, subtle compliment to the hops, and it is a refreshing option from some of the heavier IPAs (certainly better balanced than their Immortal IPA).

Elysian The Immortal IPA

The lovely Madame Crystal was kind enough to stock the pantry with some tasty 22s for my Portland visit.  Among the collection was an IPA from Elysian Brewing, a Seattle-based brewery we visited a couple of years ago at their Elysian Fields bar and restaurant.  I recall their more exotic beers, like the Avatar Jasmine IPA and Dragon's Tooth Stout being outstanding while some of their more "in the style of" offerings being a bit more average than the price, name, and packaging implied.  But hey... before I head out to the Cascade Brewing Barrel House for a heady flight of seven 8oz. samples of sour ales, let's crack open Elysian Brewing's Elysian The Immortal IPA.

Elysian The Immortal IPA was highly carbonated as it poured into the glass, forming a big, loose white head over a clear amber body.  The nose was mostly comprised of pine, with supporting notes of biscuit.

Elysian The Immortal IPA opened with a warm citrus start with subtle touches of honey and cream.  The ale quickly settled into a decidedly malty middle, hinting at burnt sugar and stone fruit without ever leaving the bready core.  It finished on a long linger with a slight bitterness.

Elysian The Immortal IPA falls into the large group of unremarkable IPAs that glut the shelves of better bottle shops.  It is surprisingly un-hopped for a Northwest IPA and isn't remarkable enough in it's malts to stand out.  It certainly isn't a bad beer, but it falls far short of the audacious name "immortal".  However, I do have to concede it was the perfect match for a late biscuits, sausage, and gravy brunch; the malts complimenting the biscuits and the bitter finish cutting the heaviness of the meal.