IPA

California Coast Beer Company — Paso Robles, CA

9 Jun 2026 · Stephen

IPA California Coast Beer Company

6.6% ABV

58 IBU

Warm California gold Color

See full brewery review →

Contributing Factors

Presentation ✓

Character ✓

Experience –

Return ✓

3 / 4 I'd recommend trying it

Tasting Notes

Appearance Pours a warm California gold — think late afternoon sunlight through a pint glass — brilliantly clear with a frothy off-white head that holds well and leaves a nice lace down the sides of the glass.

Aroma The first sip delivers a bright citrus burst — orange, grapefruit, a squeeze of lemon — before the piney resin character from Simcoe and Nugget takes hold mid-palate. Cascade's floral quality weaves through the middle, adding an almost wildflower-like softness that keeps the hop profile from feeling too aggressive. The bitterness builds steadily and finishes clean and dry, with just enough malt backbone to hold everything together without getting in the way.

Palate Medium-full body for 6.6% — there's enough malt here to support the 58 IBU bitterness without collapsing under it. The fruit character from Amarillo and Simcoe comes through first, followed by a building resinous bitterness that's the defining characteristic of a well-made West Coast IPA. This isn't a gentle bitterness — it's firm, assertive, and deliberate. The kind of bitterness that IPA lovers specifically seek out.

Finish Long, dry, and resinous. The Simcoe pine and Nugget herbal notes linger well after the sip, with the Amarillo citrus fading more quickly. At 58 IBU the bitterness persists — this is a finish that stays with you, which is exactly the point. Not harsh, not astringent — just a clean, sustained West Coast bitterness that makes the style what it is.

Watch the Review

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Stephen Toumi (@stephen_toumi)

The Verdict

This is a love letter to West Coast IPA brewing. Four hops, each pulling their weight — citrus, floral, pine, and just enough earthiness to keep it grounded. The California gold color says it all: bright, sun-drenched, and built for the coast. This is the beer you crack open after a long day when you want something with real hop character but still want to enjoy more than one.

— Stephen · Contributing Factor Brewing · 9 Jun 2026