Venturing into the Uchu-Verse to explore the exciting frontier of Uchu Brewing’s Triple IPAs taught us that limitless possibilities exist in this universe of highly potent IPAs.
Uchu Brewing: A Crossing of Two Paths
What is a Triple IPA?
Unlike the classic styles like the American IPA, Triple IPAs remain very eccentric types of beers. Both the Brewers Association (BA) and the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) do not have explicit definitions or guidelines* for these beers as of this writing. However, beyond the BA and BJCP, it seems Triple IPAs, in layman’s terms, are more potent versions (with ABVs of around 10% or more) of the hop-forward beer styles such as the American IPA and New England IPA (NEIPA)/Hazy IPA.
Into the Uchu-Verse
This batch review features three unique Triple IPAs from Uchu. The first two, Antares and Aldebaran, are named after two of the massive stars in the universe and appear to be “Triple” versions of NEIPAs or Hazy IPAs. The third and last one is Core, a Triple IPA that is closer to the American IPA style or “West Coast IPA.”
Antares Triple IPA (Batch 337) (10% ABV)
Named after the brightest star in the zodiacal constellation Scorpius the Scorpion, Antares is brewed using a well-guarded recipe that features Citra, Citra Incognito, and Cryo Citra hops. This beer is actually the first Triple IPA we have reviewed from the brewery and makes its second appearance in this feature.
What we think about this beer: Antares is an easy-drinking and juicy beer that unleashed mainly waves of ripe mango peels and lemon zest in both aroma and flavor. This brew remains one of our highly rated beers of this style and has reminded us that Triple IPAs, despite clocking in at 10% ABV, could still be extremely drinkable beers with no trace of alcohol in aroma and flavor.
Related Review: Uchu Brewing (うちゅうブルーイング ) “Antares (#295/296)” DDH Triple IPA
Aldebaran Triple IPA (Batch 336) (10% ABV)
Aldebaran is named after the reddish giant star in the Taurus constellation. Like Antares, this was brewed with three forms of a single hop variety: Mosaic, Cryo Mosaic, and Mosaic Incognito.
What we think about this beer: Aldebaran is massive, doubling down on more diverse qualities such as ripe pineapple, lychee, cantaloupe, mango, resin, and even anise. The bitterness of this beer is tamed like Antares but Aldebaran tilts the balance a bit on the sweeter side. Likewise, drinkability and smoothness approached that of the first Triple IPA mentioned but showed slight hints of alcohol in the aftertaste.
Core Triple IPA (Batch 352) (10% ABV)
The third and last beer in this batch review is Core, a “West Coast Triple IPA” concocted with Cryo Citra, Citra, and Incognito Citra hops just like Antares.
What we think of this beer: At 10% ABV, Core is an easy-drinking yet hop-forward Triple IPA that showcased very familiar “West Coast” hop aromas of flavors: orange pith, peach, floral, and berry on the nose, while pleasant citrussy flavors melded with resin and a light caramel-like malt backbone. Residual sweetness was moderate and well-integrated for a beer of this gravity; the presence of alcohol was subtle. While this is already a well-brewed beer, we think more bitterness could reconcile this brew with the “West Coast” concept better. Oh, and plus points for the clarity.
Conclusion
With just three beers from Uchu, we realized that Triple IPAs, despite weighing in at around 10% ABV, need not weigh heavily on the palate. These types of beers can be quite drinkable and enjoyable like a well-made American IPA and NEIPA and are reinvented continuously not just in the West but also in Asian countries such as Japan.
As to where Uchu takes the Triple IPA next, only time will tell.
*2021 BA Beer Style Guidelines and 2015 Beer Style Guidelines of the BJCP
