Beak Bender – Pelican Brewing’s New “Hoppinated IPA”

Last week Pelican Brewing released Beak Bender, a brand-spanking new IPA that utilizes a more efficient dry-hopping technique to tap into a full spectrum of hop flavors and aromas.

The Brewery’s Take

“Beak Bender is an exciting addition to the Pelican lineup of IPAs providing a bright, fruity and juicy hop character while also delivering a subtle malty balance and a very clean finish,” says Darron Welch, founding brewmaster.

And it appears this new IPA accomplishes what they set out to do, to “deliver a clean, well-attenuated finish that really promotes drinkability and balance,” says Pelican CEO Jim Prinzing.

“With Beak Bender, Darron was able to deliver on all those key points and STILL turn the hop flavor to 11.  To me, it is the ultimate IPA—loads of aroma all the way to the last sip and supremely drinkable.”

Looking to create an alternative method for infusing as much hop flavor into their beers, Darron created “The Hoppinator,” a more productive and sanitary system for dry-hopping.

The biggest difference for the beer drinker is enhanced taste and aroma. The new process introduces much less oxygen—the hop pellets go directly into the clean vessel, then the brewer seals the vessel and purges with CO2. As a result, there is extremely low oxygen pickup compared to the traditional dry-hopping process which increases flavor stability and quality.

Beak Bender, which will be available year-round, debuts early February in 6-packs, 22 oz. bottles and on draft in select locations.

My Take

I was pleasantly surprised by how fresh and juicy the hop flavor comes through on the Beak Bender. As someone thoroughly awash in the Hazy IPA craze, it was a welcome departure.

For a number of reasons this beer sets itself apart from Pelican’s previous offerings and brings the brewery as close as they’ve come to creating a Northeast IPA, a style they’ve yet to tackle.

It doesn’t have a big mouthfeel for an IPA while weighing in at 6.7% (65 IBU), yet it possesses a slightly hazy transparency I’ve not usually experienced with their IPAs.

Regardless, the most important take-away when sampling this new offering is how well attenuated, yet juicy and drinkable it is.  So, if you’re feeling weary of the haze or are simply seeking out a crushable IPA, Pelican’s new year-round option doesn’t disappoint.

About Pelican Brewing Company

Pelican Brewing Company was founded in 1996 by Jeff Schons and Mary Jones in Pacific City with Oregon’s only oceanfront brewpub.

Celebrating its 21^st year, the brewing company has created masterpieces like Kiwanda Cream Ale, India Pelican Ale, MacPelican’s Scottish Ale, Tsunami Stout and Doryman’s Dark.

With the vision, creativity and brewing expertise of founding brewmaster Darron Welch, Pelican Brewing has won over 450 awards including a Silver Medal at the 2016 Great American Beer Festival, 2014 World Beer Cup© Champion Small Brewing Company and Brewmaster of the Year.

Pelican Brewing currently distributes 22oz bottles, 12oz bottles in 6-packs, a new mixed 12-pack, and 50 liter and 20 liter kegs via a network of distributors in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, and Hawaii. The company operates brewing and brewpub facilities in Pacific City, Tillamook and Cannon Beach.

For more information, visit Pelican Brewing Company.