SockeyeRed IPA

Walking into Midnight Sun Brewing in Anchorage, you immediately understand why this brewery has become synonymous with bold, unapologetic hop character. Their Sockeye Red IPA isn't just their flagship – it's a statement about what Pacific Northwest brewing can be when pushed to its logical extreme.

The red hue isn't just for show. Those specialty malts provide a caramel backbone that's essential for balancing the aggressive 70 IBU hop assault. Without this malt foundation, the triple-hop combination of Centennial, Cascade, and Simcoe would be overwhelming. Instead, you get complexity.

What sets this apart from typical West Coast IPAs is the Alaskan attitude. This beer doesn't apologize for being big, bold, and in-your-face. At 5.7% ABV, it's surprisingly drinkable for something with this much hop intensity, but make no mistake – this is designed for serious hop heads.

The Simcoe hops are the star here, providing those distinctive tropical fruit notes that play beautifully against the citrus character from Centennial and Cascade. It's like drinking the essence of an Alaska wilderness adventure – bold, uncompromising, and unforgettable.

Verdict: This is what happens when Pacific Northwest hop culture meets Alaska frontier spirit. Sockeye Red IPA is aggressive without being unbalanced, bold without being crude. A perfect representation of Midnight Sun's commitment to pushing boundaries while respecting traditional brewing principles.