USA, WA: Avatar Jasmine IPA from Elysian Brewing Company is back

Elysian Avatar Jasmine IPA is back and in a new package. After a break of several months, while the brewery waited for the new crop of jasmine to arrive from China, one of the most interesting beers in America will be reentering the market in both 22-oz. bottles and on draft, The Full Pint reported on February, 10.

The bottles will have a new label as well, with a more stylized version of the familiar-and-elusive-jasmine blossoms used to make the beer.

It was difficult to resist the temptation to use other, more available sources of jasmine, but the wait for the good stuff was worth it.

Avatar was first inspired by a fanciful connection during a GABF judging session by one of head brewer Dick Cantwell’s fellow judges, who remarked that one of the IPAs on the table reminded him of jasmine tea. The evocation of jasmine in that beer’s hop character wasn’t enough for it to go on to the next round, but right out of the gate, some years later Avatar medaled at GABF in the Herb and Spice category. Three years later it took top honors in the same category at the World Beer Cup.

15 February, 2012