Beer Review: Trillium/Green Cheek Dashbird West Coast IPA
- Brewery: Trillium Brewing Company & Green Cheek Beer Company
- Style: West Coast IPA
- ABV: 7.0%
Dashbird is a masterful collaboration that delivers on its promise to be the “quintessential modern West Coast IPA.” It successfully bridges the gap between the classic, bitter, and clear IPAs of the past and the fruit-forward, aromatic profiles of today’s best IPAs. It’s a beautifully crafted beer that is both a nostalgic nod to its style and a modern masterpiece of hop expression.
Appearance – Dashbird pours a radiant, clear golden-yellow that immediately sets it apart from the hazy IPAs that dominate the market. The head is a fluffy, off-white foam that settles to a delicate ring of lacing, leaving behind a pristine glass and a truly inviting visual. The clarity is exceptional and a welcome sight for lovers of the classic West Coast style.
Aroma – It’s here that Dashbird truly takes flight. A bold and captivating fragrance bursts from the glass, showcasing a complex blend of citrus, berry, and tropical fruit notes. Notes of pungent grapefruit and sweet pineapple are immediately present, followed by a subtle undertone of pine and juicy white grape, likely a product of the Nelson Sauvin Hop Kief. The fragrance is both intensely fruity and classically resinous, a perfect marriage of old and new school IPA.
Tasting Notes – The first sip confirms the promise of the aroma. The flavor is a crisp and clean delivery of bright fruit and firm bitterness. It starts with a juicy burst of grapefruit and tangy passion fruit, which then gives way to a balanced, clean bitterness that is a hallmark of the West Coast style. The hop flavors are vibrant and expressive, avoiding any harshness. The body is lean and effervescent, culminating in a dry, snappy finish that makes it incredibly refreshing and highly drinkable. There is no cloying sweetness; instead, a focused hop profile prevails from start to finish.
For anyone who has been missing a bright, clean, and unapologetically hoppy IPA, Dashbird is a must-try. It’s a beer that proves clarity and bitterness can coexist perfectly with a rich, complex fruit character.