Hangar 24 Craft Brewing - Gunfighter Cold IPA

The “cold IPA” sub-style has really burst onto the scene in the last couple years. If you’re unfamiliar, think of it like an uber-West-Coast-style IPA. The brewers ferment the beer colder than is typical of ales, often with lager yeast, or a blend of lager and ale yeast. They also eschew the heavy use of caramel and crystal malts, and sometimes add a little corn or rice, to reduce caramelized flavors. The end result is a full-throttle IPA, usually with a decent ABV, that’s crisp and clean – a pure showcase for the hops. On the pour, Gunfighter presents a bright golden color with a prominent head of fluffy foam. A trio of classic Pacific NW hop varieties delivers a citrus-centered aroma with shades of grapefruit and orange, plus hints of resinous pine and moderate floral notes. Look for those hops to really jump out in the flavor with tons of grippy, zesty citrus evoking grapefruit rind. Perceived hop bitterness is quite firm, aided by the extremely clean and low-key malt profile. This brew is all about the hops, just as it was designed. For pairing options, this crisp IPA should pair well with spicier and fattier dishes to complement the zesty citrus and give the bitterness something to cut through. A calzone or hand-tossed pizza sounds good, as does fried fish or chicken with a lemony dipping sauce, or aromatic southeast Asian dishes. Cheers!

Hangar 24 founder and master brewer, Ben Cook, began his beer journey as a homebrewer around 2001 while studying biology at Cal State San Bernardino. His knowledge of biology and access to lab equipment allowed him to get the most out of his homebrew kit. Fast forward a few years, and Ben is a general aviation pilot spending many a summer day out at Redlands Municipal Airport, about 65 miles due east of Los Angeles. After a day of flying, he and his friends and family would relax at hangar number 24, barbecuing, playing music, and enjoying Ben’s most recent homebrews. His signature ingredient: fresh oranges from local groves, which can be found in Hangar 24’s beers to this day. In 2008, he took the leap and founded his brewing company, invoking the theme of aviation throughout its branding.

Currently, Hangar 24 operates four locations including their original brewery and taproom in Redlands as well as a taproom & restaurant in Lake Havasu City, AZ, which opened in 2017, a taproom & restaurant in Irvine, CA, which opened in 2020, and another in Riverside, CA, which opened in 2024. This author can personally attest to the good beer and grub at the Irvine spot, which features tons of seating on a 2-acre outdoor patio area, live music, and a family-friendly vibe. The brewery produces several core beers along with many limited release, barrel-aged, and experimental brews. For more info on the brewery, their beers, and their taproom locations, visit them at hangar24brewing.com.