This past summer I waited with baited breath on the release of Ballast Point’s Watermelon Dorado, seeking that refreshing melon flavor that defines summer. When it finally arrived and I cracked my first one, the overwhelming jolly rancher watermelon flavor was a bit too much for me. I know some of you enjoyed it, and that’s great, but it just wasn’t for me.

Fast forward to two weeks ago. Sitting at the C + D Lounge with the one and only William Heinrich and he brings out a bottle of his Pipo. An oak aged golden ale I suppose? with local Kroul Farms watermelon added. First sip, watermelon + watermelon rind, perfect flavor. Not over the top “fake” melon additive, but the real, fresh out of the garden melon flavor that I had been seeking. The acidity was very balanced and the brett really blended well with the melon flavor. This is the beer I had been seeking this summer, and even though I’m looking out my window at the snow falling, I have another bottle of Pipo sitting in front of me waiting to be cracked for a perfect Iowa winter day!

Had paired this beer with Thanksgiving dinner. It went very well with turkey, ham, and some smoked ribs, but it really shined with just a dinner salad with some vinaigrette!

Cheers Bill, you nailed this one and I can’t wait to see what else you have in store!  Pipo is in stores, get to your local store, grab a couple of sixers and then a few bottles of Pipo and Drink This!