What's an IPA, you ask? B3's here to school ya! ("Cue the film projector!")...First brewed for British troops stationed in India during the 1700s, India Pale Ales (IPA) were beers crafted with a higher alcohol content and significantly more hops (which is a natural preservative) to ensure their drinkability after traveling such great distances with no refrigeration. Historians believe that IPAs were watered down for the troops, while officers and the elite would savor the beer at full strength. Flash forward to modern times, the American IPA is a different soul from the original English IPA style. More flavorful than its English counterpart, the color of American IPAs range from very pale golden to reddish amber. Hops are typically American with a big herbal and/or citric character. Bitterness is high as well, moderate to medium bodied with a balancing malt backbone.
 
Cigar City Jai Alai IPA, Florida -  Jai Alai India Pale Ale pays tribute to the original extreme sport Jai Alai, a  game native to the Basque region of Spain, played on a court called a fronton. Players attempt to catch a ball, traveling at speeds of up to 188 mph, using just a curved mitt. This creamy amber IPA unleashes waves of flavor, first introducing a malty sweetness, then a rich, hoppy bitterness that draws raves from aficionados and novices alike. 7.5% ABV.
 
Thomas Hooker Meadow Hop IPA, Connecticut - This creamy IPA emphasizes traditional West Coast Chinook and Cascade hops which produces a hophead's delight of a brew with a just-right complexity that's not too sweet or over-the-top with hops. 6.5% ABV.
 
Terrapin Beer Company Hopsecutioner IPA, Georgia - Hear ye, hear ye...hopheads around the southeast are rejoicing today at the news that Terrapin Beer Company has announced the release of the Hopsecutioner IPA! You can run but you can't hide from the amazing hop profile executed in the newest addition to Terrapin's year round portfolio of beers. 7.2% ABV
 
Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA, California - Sierra Nevada Torpedo Ale is a big American IPA; bold, assertive and full of flavor and aromas highlighting the complex citrus, pine and herbal character of whole-cone American hops.  7.2% ABV

 

Inspired by the success of the Tours in France and Italy, and the boost they brought to the circulations of their sponsoring newspapers, Juan Pujol of the Daily Informaciones instigated the Tour of Spain in 1935 to help increase circulation for his newspaper, too. The inaugural event saw 50 entrants face a 3,411 km (2,119 mi.) course over only 14 stages, averaging over 240km (149 mi.) per stage. The race, which became an annual event in 1955, is also known the Vuelta a Espana. It runs for three weeks in a changing route across Spain and is the last Grand Tour of the season.
 
In honor of this great Spanish race, we are featuring Tapeña Garnacha wines, now known most of the world over as Grenache (think Rhone style). Today, Garnacha is the most widely planted red wine grape in Spain. A terrific food wine, Tapeña Garnacha is spicy and seductive, with a lovely garnet color and lingering flavors. In the mouth, there is a rush of dark fruit with an underlying bright spice, including hints of rosemary, thyme and just a trace of sage. Tapeña Garnacha is full- bodied, but still lively, with rounded tannins which combine with the fruit to produce a velvet finish. Sample these at B3 this month: 

The Spanish Quarter, Cabernet-Tempranillo Blend, Spain This full, silky red marries the noble and native Spanish red grape varietal Tempranillo with internationally recognized, yet relative newcomer to Spain, Cabernet Sauvignon. The resulting blend is a deep purple-red color with a nose of dark cherry and blackberry, and hint of exotic spice and chocolate. The full and silky palate reveals layers of juicy ripe berry fruit, dark chocolate, and a touch of sweet oak on the finish.
 
Torres Coronas, Tempranillo, Spain Coronas is unmistakable for its intense colour and lush aromas of cherry and black plums on a background of green coffee. It is aged in oak barrels to achieve a soft, rounded sensation on the palate with a big finish.

Back by popular, relentless, and almost pleading demand: its B3's beloved Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Bisque soup!  A smooth puree of red bell pepper puree simmered with mirepoix vegetables and fire-roasted tomatoes in a rich vegetarian broth highlighted with smoky chipolte and sweet cream. To get a bowl of yours, please form a straight, orderly line. No need to push. There is plenty for everyone!