I think you guys are correct that it’s the water especially if this happened at two places in the same area. A harsh mineral taste is most often caused by to much magnesium in the water. High levels of iron will also cause a mineral taste. However, reverse osmosis filters should easily knock down these minerals to acceptable levels even for pilsners with the addition back of the appropriate minerals for a given style. So it sound’s like the brewers may have been cutting corners.



The tannins from grain husks like those from grape skins produce an astringent bitterness but not mineral taste. As Tom pointed out tannins usually get into the beer during sparging. Mash temperatures, times and PH don’t release much tannins from the grain husks. However, sparging at to high a temperature and or for to long will. Also, water high in carbonates (calcium and magnesium) will also give the same astringent quality as tannins and enhance that of existing tannens.

Prior to large scale water treatments beer brewing was all about location, location, location. Now things are a little more flexible if you’re willing to work at it.

I have found the best beer store ever. Too far to drive (North Carolina), but they ship. They'll have an online store next year, too.

http://bruisinales.com/

Whee! They ship to CA!

Anyone care to recommend a good Indian Pale Ale ? My local Wegmans seems to have a decent selection of them but I have no idea which would be a good choice for first timers.

If you can ever get close enough to the Maritimes to find it being sold, Propeller and Garrison breweries make some great ones.

Peter - your description of the Great Divide was very eloquent.

JaimeG - IPA's can vary pretty widely in how strong or how assertive they are. Since I live in Tacoma, I am partial to the Northwest varieties, but many are not going to be available to you. I do not consider either the Pyramid or the Red Hook to be representative or worthy of your time.

Deschutes always makes good beer, and their IPA is no exception.

I was very pleasantly surprised by the Sierra-Nevada Torpedo IPA.

You probably get Harpoon - that's a good one, as I recall.

I am a fan of the Dogfish Head beers - but I'd start with the 60 Minute and work your way up.

I tried the Sierra Nevada Torpoedo IPA this week and while I did think that it is good, I still prefer to drink Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. I have also had the Harpoon IPA recently and it was OK. I would put the Torpedo ahead of the Harpoon on my list. I have a co-worker that really likes Dogfish Head beers so I think that will be my next purchase.

Thanks guys! ... Lately I’ve been drinking SierraNevada pale ale so definitely going to try their IPA. A coworker recommended the Dogfish head IPA as well . There’s a snow storm coming so I need to stock up on beer :-)

hey, davidsch where do you work? ... we might work for the same company :P

It's funny that my co-worker (actually boss) mentioned it about a month ago but now that Tom recommends Dogfish I am getting it for sure.