Oh, Henry’s!
Henry Weinhard’s IPA
Posted by: John Chandler on Apr 04, 2011 at 03:00PM
5 Comments
Another day’s mail, another beer delivery. The appearance of a couple cold bottles of Henry’s new India Pale Ale is by no means cause to jump, jive, and wail (especially if you were hoping for cognac), but unlike some longtime Northwesties, I maintain a soft spot in my liver for this venerable brand.
While it’s true the Weinhard Brewing operation in Portland closed down in 1999 when it was bought by industry giant SABMiller, Henry’s is largely brewed on a contract basis by Full Sail in Hood River, so technically it’s still a part of the landscape. Over the last several years they’ve continued to churn out the familiar Henry’s Private Reserve and Blue Boar, while diversifying the brand a bit with their own palate-friendly versions of hefeweizen, blonde ale (a serviceable beer), the odd seasonal, and now an IPA. While I certainly wouldn’t stack it up against BridgePort IPA or Hair of the Dog’s Blue Dot (it’s nowhere near as robust), for the price (usually between $5.99 and $6.99 for a six pack) it’s not too shabby. It’s got a piney-fruit aroma, a generous hop bite with a decent amount of malt backbone, and a tingly finish.
It’s good to know that a mid-range option still exists somewhere on the suds spectrum between down-market corn-fed swill on one end and premium-priced craft beer on the other. Clue me in, drinking buddies: What do you reach for when the wallet won’t allow a trip to the top shelf?
Tags: Henry Weinhard's
I love Henry’s. It’s what I grew up drinking, because it seemed classier to ask my of-age friends to buy Henry’s rather than Budweiser, which I guess were the only two beers I’d heard of, but I think I like it still for more than merely nostalgic reasons.
I second SG’s comment, with a caveat that every underage drinker is at least acquainted with Old E and the generic “beer.” Which is why we all went for whatever was supposed to be “something better.” Like good ol’ Henry’s. Some kids went for MGD, but I was always a Henry’s gal. I didn’t know what “Private Reserve” meant, but I was pretty sure it had to mean something hotsy totsy as it made oh so tipsy.
Somehow it doesn’t taste quite the same, although I appreciate the glass bottles. I miss the old Henry’s dark. Also, a few years ago they experimented with an organic ale that was surprisingly crisp and tasty. But it went away.
I can’t imagine the circumstances under which I would reach for a Henry’s, since I’m wealthy beyond measure, but I will say that I think it’s good to have at least some “local” brewers who offer varietals more towards the lager end of the spectrum, a category that is somewhat underrepresented in the northwest.
Wow — honestly, JC, this post just really made me crave some Blue Dot. That reaction does not speak well of my budgeting skills.