I didn’t turn 21 in prison because I have a terrific lawyer, but if it weren’t for Wayne Hellar, I might’ve relived this Merle Haggard classic.
I feel like it’s always a little dangerous when you name a beer after a classic song/band/etc. If it goes well, you’re gold, but if not, you may have upset a large crowd of highly-opinionated folks. However, no risk, no reward, and the gang over at Brazos Valley Brewing didn’t fail ol’ Merle.
Mama Tried IPA is in a bright yellow can with big black text above a white badge shape. That shape holds an illustration of a woman blowing on the barrel of an old 6-shooter. She’s wearing a green and black flannel shirt with a red head-wrap, and has wavy brown hair. You may recognize her from 7 Spanish Angels, and she’ll be making an appearance on future BVB artwork as well.
These cans are similar to the original Mama Tried IPA, but the originals have a bit darker yellow/orange. I’ve never seen the tap handle to describe it, and I can’t find any pics online. I also don’t know if it’s seasonal, limited, or year-round.
Mama Tried IPA poured a perfectly clear amber-gold with a frothy 2-finger head that stuck around for a while. It didn’t used to be so clear, but they’ve adjusted the process a bit.
That head made way for a healthy lining of lace, enough to make an old-western brothel owner blush. The mouthfeel was silky and had a good amount of very lively carbonation. The finish was juicy and lingering. Perfect.
Mama Tried IPA is delicious on its own, and it was one of the contenders for our top 5 IPAs in Houston, but having it by itself allows it to really shine.
Mama Tried IPA starts off with a malty, floral nose fit for a workin’ man. The flavor starts off crisp and smooth, and it makes way for a definitive malt backbone to mild things out before the bright hop flavor and bitterness comes through on the aftertaste. That aftertaste is really where it’s at – the floral, fruity notes shine brighter than the stage lights on ol’ Merle.
If anything, this reminds me a bit of Hop Gusher or Citra Mellow, and that’s a compliment to everyone involved, in my book.
Mama Tried IPA is worthy of a 5 star rating. Maybe I’ve been too generous lately, as I recently gave Southern Star’s Half Nelson IPA a 5 star rating, but I just love this beer.
I got my 6-pack-cans of Mama Tried Citra IPA from HEB, like usual. I can’t find locations for this beer on Taphunter, Untappd nor Seek A Brew, so go to HEB! Maybe when we go live with this post, somebody will comment and let us know other places it can be found.
We’re trying to steer you right, and we’re not your Mama! Have you tried this Mama Tried yet, and if so, what’d you think! Let us know, or help us help everybody find it! Beers to you, Houston!
Anthony's a Houston native, a Creative Strategist at https://ledgeloungers.com/, an adjunct instructor of Visual Communication at Lone Star College, and a UH Coog that loves good beer almost as much as he does his city. Anthony lives to help others and that's found a home helping some of the coolest breweries on earth with creative and marketing projects that can be seen on our Portfolio page. Fueled by hoppy lagers, sessionable IPAs, and gangster rap, he's ticked his way through H-Town, rocking the most unusual Nikes he can find. When he's not writing for us, he's with his family or very patiently rooting for the Rockets.
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