Swan Song Double IPA is brewmaster Ron Chips’ final original beer at Kelsey Creek Brewing — his farewell toast, his last round, his … well … swan song.
After a successful run, Chips is turning over the operation to long time brewer Jason Chavez. Over the next few weeks he plans to introduce the new guy to the operation, dream about vacation days to come and look into his next move.
Oh, and he has one more batch to brew.
A sip might just cause regulars at the Kelseyville brewpub to call for another encore. The heady ale offers aromas of creamy malt and freshly squeezed citrus over hints of burnished caramel. Beyond this, a grove of pine looms, beckoning you for adventure.
You reach that resinous, bittersweet plot mid-palate. It cloaks the first glow of light malt and biting grapefruit and falls over the gentle path of nutty caramelized malt. The beer is as deep and intriguing as a pine forest. And the finish is long, tingling in your throat, calling you back for another round.
Swan Song is even a little treacherous. One gentleman at the bar insisted Chips had squeezed fresh ruby red fruit into the mash, so bright is the citrus blade. No, the brewmaster, insisted. There is no juice in the mix.
“It’s was a simple ingredient list,” Chips pointed out. He acknowledges the citrus sheen, adding “it’s not lemon and it’s not orange. It’s definitely a grapefruit flavor, but that’s all hops.”
To compose his Swan Song, Chips simply used an Irish pale malt and Eureka hops, adding a round of Cascade hops for an aromatic boost in the final minutes. His intention was to train the enticing bitter edge and — fittingly — draw out the finish.
It worked.
Swan Song is a deep and sincere bow to the audience. To sip it is, likewise, to applaud the brewmasters achievement and cheer for more.
Oh, Chips expects to remain in Lake County and is tempted by a few ventures. He will likely continue to brew privately.
As for his final professional performance, what a way to go.
Dave Faries can be reached at 900-2016
