Welcome to Beer Tastings, a weekly series in which Utah Beer News highlights a particularly tasty local brew. This week we travel to Springville — Utah County! — to try Sportster IPA from Strap Tank Brewrey. What are you drinking? Let us know!
Beer Tastings: Sportster
I met a friend for lunch in Lehi last week. That’s halfway between my house and Springville, Utah, the home to Strap Tank Brewing Co.
So following lunch, I continued down I-15 to Springville. I arrived at Strap Tank and took a seat at the bar to taste its Sportster Session IPA.
It pours a golden straw color. Effervescent bubbles bounce from the bottom of the glass to the top. It’s clear, and an off-white head gives way to some nice lacing down the shaker glass.
Aromas are citrusy and floral for me (brewers describe tropical notes). I did get some tropical fruits in the flavor, but floral hoppiness and moderate bitterness are my takeaways.
It’s a clear and crisp IPA.
- Brewery: Strap Tank Brewing Co.
- ABV: 4%
- Serving Style: Draft
- Date Tasted: August 30, 2018
- Purchase Location: Strap Tank Brewing Co.
Strap Tank: A One-of-a-Kind Sight in Utah County
It’s a 45-mile (one way) trip from Utah Beer News Headquarters to Springville. Yet, some might say culturally it’s a world away, considering it requires venturing into Utah County (best-known for Provo and BYU, for out-of-state readers).
So you could call Strap Tank Brewery a “destination brewery.”
Read more about it in this The Salt Lake Tribune article.
I’ve stopped into the brewery twice now, and each time have enjoyed the beers I tasted. In my research, apparently “Strap Tank” is an early-1900s Harley Davidson model.
Strap Tank’s (the brewery) website claims “the best unrestored example of the Strap Tank model in existence” resides in the Legends Motorcycle building across the parking lot from the brewery.
The brewery building itself is a replica of the original Harley-Davidson motorcycle factory.
Sportster IPA — Strap Tank Brewery
Product Name: Sportster IPA
Product Description: Brewers describe the Sportster IPA as "tropical, refreshing, and hoppy." I experienced some tropical notes in the flavor, but I also picked up some nice floral hops and a decent bitterness. It's a clear and crisp IPA, clocking in at 4% (hence, the "session" moniker).
- Aroma
- Appearance
- Flavor
- Mouthfeel
Overall Impression
Brewers describe the Sportster IPA as “tropical, refreshing, and hoppy.” I experienced some tropical notes in the flavor, but I also picked up some nice floral hops and a decent bitterness. It’s a clear and crisp IPA, clocking in at 4% (hence, the “session” moniker).
- Aroma: Some citrus notes and floral hops
- Appearance: Pours golden straw color, bubbly, off-white head gives way to some nice lacing
- Flavor: This is where I get some of the tropical notes; but floral/grassy hops provide a nice finishing bitterness
- Mouthfeel: Clean, crisp
But you don’t have to take my word for it.
Note: The tasting notes format is adapted from a Homebrew Academy Beer Tasting Mastery course I took in 2017.
