On June 23, 1994, Vinnie brewed not only the first batch of beer at his first brewery (Blind Pig Brewing Co. in Temecula, CA), but the first known commercially brewed Double IPA. Vinnie, and his then-girlfriend, Natalie, made Blind Pig Inaugural Ale on that historic day. The Blind Pig brewing equipment was purchased in a “going out of business” sale from the Electric Dave Brewery in Bisbee, AZ. Somehow Vinnie managed to make award-winning beer for the next few years with an old military soup pot for a kettle, and plastic fermenters held together with bailing wire and duct tape! We christened our new 5-barrel pilot brewery in Windsor by recreating this recipe exactly, but with vastly better modern-day equipment. It should also be noted that every batch of IPA Vinnie brewed at the original Blind Pig Brewery had a small amount of American oak chips added with the dry hops which lent to an interesting character, this modern-day version is no different. Re-brewing Inaugural Ale is a true trip down memory lane for Vinnie & Natalie!
A balanced Double IPA with strong notes of citrus along with a mild bitter finish. Overall this is a much milder double IPA compared to a modern-day Double IPA. However, you have to keep in mind that this was the original Double IPA (1994) that helped get the current American IPA revolution started. The tasting notes are as follows: dominant citrus (orange and grapefruit), medium woody (pine, resin, oak), medium tropical (pineapple, guava, lychee), medium grassy (fresh cut grass), slight onion/garlic and peach. Moderate bitterness that lingers and minimal sweetness.
Windsor and Santa Rosa pubs only (no distribution), limited-release
Alcohol by Volume: 7.25%
Bitterness: Moderate
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