Four Fathers Brewing Company has been around since 2009. From Rockwood, Ontario, this craft brewery, as their website puts it, was the brainchild of “four hockey dads.” Four Fathers’ website goes on to describe how their fledgling brewery came into being over the course of a number of nights spent at the rink or hovering anxiously over stove-tops.
Four Fathers Brewing Company’s mandate involves, not surprisingly, four steps: stand up for each other, stand up for something bigger than yourself, stand up for the notion that quality craft beer matters, and be patient.
Today I’ll be reviewing The Starter Session IPA from Four Fathers Brewing Company. And, although I’m generally a patient person, I admit to being impatient to review this brew.
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Four Fathers Brewing Company: The Starter Session IPA – First Sip
The Starter pours a semi-transparent amber colour with a thin layer of off-white foam that dissipates quickly. As with other IPAs, session or otherwise, I smell a familiar citrus aroma as I take my first sip. The Starter is surprisingly bitter for a session IPA, the bitterness improving in its aftertaste. This isn’t much of a beer for complexity. If you like hoppy IPAs, as I most certainly do, you’re bound to like The Starter.
Four Fathers Brewing Company: The Starter Session IPA – Last Sip
Bitter though this brew is, its relatively watery mouthfeel balances it out. The Starter’s mouthfeel gives it a light and thirst-quenching quality that all good session beers should have. And, with a 4.8% ABV rating your session can involve a couple of these 473-mL brews.
IPAs, especially session IPAs, go exceptionally well with salty foods. A giant pretzel, a plate of olives, some beef jerky, pickles, or a bag of chips are all good picks to accompany The Starter. It won’t be healthy, but the combination of bitter beer and salty food is not to be missed.
