Beer Review: War Ensemble (Ghost Town Brewing × Grains of Wrath)
This heavy-hitting collaboration between Oakland’s Ghost Town Brewing and Washington’s Grains of Wrath is exactly what you’d expect from two masters of the West Coast style: unapologetic, bitter, and technically flawless. Named after the Slayer classic, War Ensemble is a frontal assault on the palate.
- Style: West Coast IPA
- ABV: 7.0% (approx.)
- Hops: Simcoe, Citra, Strata (Cryo)
Tasting Profile
Appearance: Pours a crystal-clear, deep gold with a frothy, bone-white head that leaves aggressive lacing down the glass.
The Aroma: The moment you crack the can, you’re hit with a “dank” perfume. It leads with heavy notes of pungent pine resin and grapefruit peel. As it breathes, there’s an underlying tropical sweetness—think under-ripe mango and passionfruit—thanks to the heavy use of Cryo hops.
The Palate: The first sip is lean and mean. There is very little malt sweetness here to hide behind; instead, you get a clean, crackery base that allows the hops to scream. Mid-palate, the citrus turns sharp and zesty, followed by a wave of herbal, earthy bitterness.
The Finish: This is where War Ensemble earns its name. The finish is bone-dry and features a lingering, resinous “hop bite” that sticks to the back of the throat. It’s a nostalgic throwback to the days when West Coast IPAs were measured by their IBUs and their ability to scrub the palate clean.
This isn’t a “smoothie” IPA or a soft, pillowy juice bomb. It is a precision-engineered tribute to the Pacific Northwest. It’s bright, loud, and incredibly drinkable for 7%. If you miss the days when IPAs were bitter enough to fight back, this is your soundtrack.
Available at SF Tequila Shop