Hammer Smashed Simcoe

Ghost Town Brewing — Oakland, CA

3 Mar 2024 · Stephen

IPA Ghost Town Brewing

6.9% ABV

70 IBU

Deep golden Color

Contributing Factors

Presentation ✓

Character ✓

Experience ✓

Return –

3 / 4 I'd recommend trying it

Tasting Notes

Appearance Deep golden to light amber, clear with a persistent white head. The Simcoe resin content gives this a slightly richer appearance than a citrus-forward IPA — there's a warm, golden glow that hints at the piney dankness underneath.

Aroma Simcoe announces itself immediately and unmistakably. Grapefruit and citrus upfront, but with a resinous, piney, earthy backbone that sets it apart from cleaner citrus varieties like Citra or Centennial. The dankness is the story here — that funky, almost catty quality that Simcoe is known for, sitting alongside the tropical fruit and building in intensity as the beer warms. One drinker nails it simply: funky. That's Simcoe.

Palate Dry, bitter, and smooth — three words that capture exactly what 100% Simcoe at 70 IBU delivers in a well-made West Coast IPA. The grapefruit and tropical fruit carry through the middle, followed by a building resinous bitterness and that earthy dankness that Simcoe uniquely produces. Medium-full body for 6.9%, well-structured and clean. The malt backbone is present but restrained — this isn't a malt showcase, it's a Simcoe showcase.

Finish Long, dry, piney, and resinous. The Simcoe dankness and earthy pine linger well after the sip, with the grapefruit fading more quickly. At 70 IBU the bitterness persists cleanly without astringency — sustained, West Coast, and exactly what the name promises. This is a finish that stays with you the way a hammer blow stays with you.

The Verdict

The name is a reference to Cannibal Corpse's 1992 death metal classic, and it's perfect. This is not a gentle beer. Ghost Town's single-hop Simcoe statement. Dry, bitter, piney, funky, and completely unapologetic about all of it. If you love Simcoe, this is your beer. If you don't know if you love Simcoe, this is how you find out.

— Stephen · Contributing Factor Brewing · 3 Mar 2024