26 Jul Dont Fear The RIPA by Tam

Don’t Fear The RIPA

Buffalo Bayou Brewery

Houston, TX (Nolda St.)

Rye IPA

ABV: 6.8%

IBUs: 70

Packaging: Draft, 6 pack 12 ounce cans

All our times have come

Here but now they’re gone

Seasons don’t fear the reaper

Nor do the wind, the sun or the rain, we can be like they are

If you’re asking yourself if I’ve started getting into poetry, then you need to throw yourself off a very tall building. I am reciting the holy words of the one and only Blue Oyster Cult, the same band that influenced metal groups such as Metallica and has had their songs covered by quite literally hundreds of artists over the past 40 some odd years.

But I didn’t come here to talk about 70’s style bands or how the iconic “More Cowbell” saying originated, no sir, I come to express my personal review on Buffalo Bayou’s Don’t Fear the RIPA.

This particular craft brew falls under Buffalo Bayous “Heritage Series” and if it sounds familiar it’s because most of the Authors here at Beer Chronicle enjoy what Buff Brew has done for the Houston craft community and we have written extensively on almost every beer in their arsenal.

When you first pop a cold can of Don’t Fear the RIPA your nostrils are instantaneously swarmed by the aroma of bitter grapefruit. For those who are down with the hop, it’s probably a sure sign of what is to come but for those who aren’t…well pucker up baby you’re going for a ride 😉

Don’t Fear the RIPA pours a dark straw color with a medium body of head, and over time it will calm down to a thin lace. Have you ever been on the Poltergeist Rollercoaster at Six Flags? Basically this ride is unlike other rollercoasters in the sense that there is no build up. It just shoots you out at 60 miles an hour giving you wicked whip lash and laughing at you while you choke on your tongue. Well RIPA is just like that ride, dank goodness from start to finish; no build up and no let down. As usual the carbonation is average, so if you drink enough of these suckers you will get full; liquid carbs people!

Don’t Fear the RIPA is a little differently packaged from the rest of the Buff Brew family. Most of their style is very Texas based, but instead of going that route this brew pays homage to Blue Oyster Cult’s “Agents of Fortune” neo-gothic album cover. The one stand out is the giant Grim Reaper and the side quote from Stephen Kings “The Shining” which y’all can explain that one to me.

I found RIPA to be a decent IPA but not my go to. I only say this because it wouldn’t be a shareable IPA for new craft drinkers which isn’t necessarily a bad thing but when you’re in the business of spreading Houston craft you don’t want to scare them off.

Maybe we’re of like minds, perhaps you disagree, or maybe you just don’t give two sh*ts and you’re just killing time on the toilet. Regardless, let us know what you think in the comments below! Beers to you, Houston! 🍻