February 7th, 2014 - Damn The Torpedo Extra IPA!

Good afternoon my friends!  The Meista here with another rockin' pairing for ya... a Sierra Nevada Brewing Company Torpedo Extra IPA and "Damn The Torpedoes" by Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers!  And this one was requested by friend of the page, Kevin McLaughlin... sorry it took so long to post Kevin!  Cheers buddy... thanks for the great request!!

With the album title taken from the famous quote by Admiral David Farragut ("Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!"), Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers' "Damn The Torpedoes" is a masterpiece of the "heartland rock" movement of the mid to late 1970s.  Released in 1979, the album is the 3rd from the band and one of their most popular and commercially successful.  Tom Petty's unique voice coupled with Mike Campbell's great guitar licks is like the perfect fusion of hops and barley!  With such wonderful hit tracks like "Refugee", "Here Comes My Girl", "Even The Losers", and "Don't Do Me Like That" along with lesser known tracks (but equally as well-crafted rockers) "Shadow Of A Doubt (A Complex Kid)", "Century City", "You Tell Me", and "What Are You Doin' In My Life?", "Damn The Torpedoes" is a rambunctious, fast-paced "torpedo" ride that goes great with the refreshing bite of a Torpedo Extra IPA!

Like "Damn The Torpedoes", Sierra Nevada's Torpedo Extra IPA is a "big, bold, assertive", and flavorful creation!  Brewed with healthy dose of whole-cone American hops, the Torpedo Extra IPA is characterized by a wonderful blend of citrus and pine flavors.  It pours a clear, deep, and fiery copper hue with a big, frothy, off-white head displaying good retention and sticky, spider web lacing.  The nose is like walking through a lush pine forest with a basket of citrus fruits.  There are big aromas of freshly cut grapefruit, blue spruce, and cedar.  The mouthfeel and flavor is sharp and crisp.  Notes of pine resin, bitter grapefruit rind, herbal tea, and caramel malts abound!  It goes down smooth with a clean, dry, and slightly bitter finish.  As "Damn The Torpedoes" is an excellent representation of straight-ahead rock and roll, the Torpedo Extra IPA is an excellent representation of the style!

"Full speed ahead" and cheers!!