Lunch is a sacred window and that is why it always includes some kind of liquid nourishment like the Belching Beaver Phantom IPA. Lunch is that brief reprieve between directing teams, reading contracts, and modifying PowerPoint decks that also adds some food to the system before the multiple conference calls begin. Thankfully, part of what Wee do is try craft beer wherever we work or go. So, to finish up a recent lunch break, I needed something with enough character to kickstart the afternoon, but not so heavy that I’d be looking for a nap by 2:00 PM.
Belching Beaver Brewery’s Phantom Bride IPA
This is why I chose to close out my lunch break with the Phantom Bride IPA from Belching Beaver. A collaboration with Chino Moreno of Deftones, this beer gets a lot of hype for its musical pedigree, but we’re looking at what’s actually in the glass. It’s a classic West Coast style that leans heavily into the floral and citrus side of the spectrum, skipping the overly syrupy malt profiles of its heavier cousins.
The pour is a bright, clear gold with a head that sticks around just long enough to be polite.
On the nose, you get plenty of grapefruit peel and a touch of tropical fruit; think melon and
maybe a hint of guava. It’s clean, it’s sharp, and it smells exactly like an IPA should when
you’re sitting at a pub table with a turkey club nearby.
How Did the Phantom Bride IPA Cap Up?
The first sip delivers exactly what the aroma promises. It’s crisp. There’s a solid bitterness that hits the back of the tongue, but it doesn’t linger long enough to ruin your palate for the rest of the day. It’s remarkably drinkable for 7.1% ABV. It’s the kind of beer that accompanies a meal rather than demanding to be the center of attention.
My Untappd rating of 3.5 out of 5 caps means the Phantom Bride IPA is a solid craft beer that is worth having again.
Is it a life-changing revelation? No. Is it a reliable, well-crafted IPA that does exactly what you’d expect? Absolutely. It’s a “Solid 3.5” in the best way possible. It’s consistent. You know what you’re getting every time you order it from the tap list.
Wee Final Thoughts on Lunchtime Craft Beer
As the lunch bill arrives and more text notifications are demanding more attention, the Phantom
Bride provides that perfect finishing note. It’s refreshing enough to clear the palate and provides just enough of a hop-kick to jumpstart the brain for the afternoon grind. It’s time to focus on work for a bit, but that last sip makes the transition just a little bit smoother.
WeeBeers cheers to the craft beers that do their job and do it well!
Clark believes that the best professional relationships are built on shared experiences and a bit of fun. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, Clark has been a vocal advocate of the local craft beer scene for years. He enjoys exploring the unique flavors and community-driven atmosphere of Washington’s and Oregon’s many breweries while working through the complex software architecture opportunities presented by social interaction. After a hard day of work, Clark can often be found on the karaoke stage any day of the week belting out 80’s rock and heavy metal tunes while bringing the same passion and energy to his performances as he does to his startups; valuing confidence, engagement, and the power of a good song and a bourbon barrel aged beer to bring people together.
