GUBNA
For the past couple months I’ve heard lots of talk about Oskar Blues new canned Gubna Imperial IPA. Some have stated it may even be OB’s best product. Lets see about this….
I believe that each beer experience is unique. Depending on the setting, mood, and accompanying food, your taste buds can react differently. I had Gubna 4 times over a two week period.
Pours hazy orange gold with edges of peach coloring, supported on top by a decent sized fluffy white head. My first impression of the aroma is a mix of fruit, specifically pineapple, green grapes, and mango, and of course some floral hops are there. Not bad at all, but a bit soft.
The first few sips are not what I expected at all. The hops are not as aggressive as most Imperial IPAs. In fact the hop bill feels subdued, or even masked behind other flavors. Bready malts and caramel set the tone on top of a spicy zest and Summit hops. I think I would have preferred more of a variety of hops instead of using strictly Summit. The body is smooth and somewhat creamy, slides down nicely.
But then…what the hell is that smell? At first it’s hard to pick up on, but then a pungent odor causes major distractions. It’s quite peculiar, hard to initially pinpoint. Is that onions? Yes I think that’s what it reminds me of. With every sip I am subjected to a strange whiff of onions and meat. Something that needs to be experience for yourself. Very unconventional.
After this encounter with unusual smells, my palate is thrown off course. The hops I crave lurk behind buttery notes and malt. As much as I want to love this beer, I don’t. I keep hoping it will get better, but it doesn’t. In the end I just want my $17.50 back (for a 4 pk).
Like I said, each beer experience is different. So I gave it another shot several nights later with dinner. On the menu was steak and mash potatoes, covered in gravy and fried onions. I gotta say, I totally enjoyed Gubna this time around. The spices on the steak and onions hid the previous imperfections of the beer. The weird smells were not as noticeable because it blended with the aromas of the food. It did a good job in clearing the palate and complemented the meal quite nicely. Definitely a more pleasant experience.
As I write this I am eating Teriyaki beer jerky with my Gubna. Again, so much better with food. I have gotten accustomed to the smell and although it’s still musky, its not as bad. This beer does have a great mouth feel and is easy to drink. Could not tell it was 10% alcohol. Nice smooth aftertaste with some peppery notes and zesty hops.
My final impression: Pair this beer with food, because it’s not your typical Imperial IPA.
Aroma 3/10 apperance 4/5 body 4/5 Flavor 6/10 Overall 15/20
Total 3.2/5
shit man, Gubna was almost as good as Red Rye… deserves more than a 3.2…