Stone Coast Batch 420 IPA

"We tried 419 batches before this one." 

                                               - Batch 420 bottle 

Sure, you did. It took 419 tries to get it just right? More likely, what we have here is a clever duping of the Federal Government's label watchdogs at the TTB - Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. The TTB, among other duties, regulates the names and labels of alcohol and tobacco products. One of the most famous examples of such foolery is Dogfish Head's Golden Showers Imperial Pilsner. The TTB forced DFH to change the name of their Prescription Pills Imperial Pilsner because the Bureau claimed it glorified prescription pill popping. In response, DFH submitted Golden Showers as a name for its Imperial Pilsner and the TTB approved it. Apparently, most of the old guys and gals filed away at the TTB are not into that sort of thing. Those among them that were hip to it must have been too embarrassed to tell their colleagues how and why they became familiar with such activities. The TTB caught wind of their gaff only after the name and label were approved. So, Golden Showers became a one and done, never to be seen again (on a beer label, at least). Stone Coast may have pulled a quick one, but they're not the quickest. However, they seem to have done a cunning job fooling those proven hipsters at the TTB. 

Stone Coast has crafted a lovely beer in Batch 420. The beer wasn't what I expected at all. I expected something more herbaceous aroma, for lack of a better phrase. The aroma was subtle and smelled like fresh sliced green apples. It poured a large, pillowy head kept afloat by lively carbonation. There's a slow, creeping bitterness to the finish, but the flavor is the most interesting aspect of this ale. Batch 420's sweet taste evokes memories of childhood with a flavor of apples candied by a light caramel or toffee glaze. If you hated the circus, this beer is not for you.