Foolproof Brewing Company - King of the Yahd

This amped up double IPA presents a lightly hazy copper-amber color with a big cap of foam that persists really well and laces the glass nicely. On the nose, look for a rather complex hop profile; we picked up plenty of citrus juice and zest with lemony impressions, floral notes, prominent spice, touches of melon and pine wood, and, interestingly, perhaps even a bit of darker fruit. In the flavor department, expect a fruity hop impression with citrus and hints of dried fruit mingling with spice and pine. The malt backbone does an admirable job of supporting the bold 101 IBU dose of New Zealand and US hops with toasty and lightly caramelized notes. Originally, this brew weighed in at 9.5% ABV, but the current recipe dials it back to 8.5%, which feels just right to us as the spicy alcohol bolsters the spicy hop characteristics and the touch of rye malt nicely without coming through too hot. A unique and interestingly flavored double IPA, King of the Yahd is surprisingly drinkable for such a big brew, so do watch out for the high ABV. For food pairings, we'd go with a deep dish pizza piled up with pepperoni and spicy sausage, which should complement the toasty elements of the malt profile and the bold, spicy hops whose big bitterness can cut through the fat easily. Additional options include glazed ham, Indian curry dishes, or a simple snack of sharp, aged cheddar cheese. Cheers!

Founder and President of Foolproof Brewing Company, Nick Garrison, began homebrewing in 2007, and soon realized he had found his calling. He began planning a full-scale leap into the world of professional brewing. When Foolproof finally opened for business in January of 2013, it was the culmination of over four years of preparation and building.

Being the smallest state in the union, it’s perhaps no surprise that there were not many breweries in Rhode Island when Foolproof was launched. But, even on a per-capita basis, the state was at the bottom of the list, making it a ripe opportunity for Garrison to build a local craft brewery to serve Rhode Island and the local region. In fact, demand was so strong that Foolproof had to double its brewing capacity within three months of opening and now sports a 30 barrel brewing system. They’ve become the largest brewery in the state, although they remain a small brewery overall; there are only a handful of full-time employees.

Like many of the newer breweries to jump into the craft beer scene in recent years, Foolproof embraced canning instead of bottling from their very first batch. Garrison was keen on this packaging format because it would keep the beer fresher for longer, as the cans prevent light damage and have virtually no headspace, limiting oxidization. The brewery currently offers eight year-round beers plus an ongoing line of rotating and limited specialty offerings. For more info about the brewery and their Taproom, call them up at 401-721-5970 or visit www.foolproofbrewing.com.