Beer Review: Fast Fjord Norwegian IPA (Gate City Brewing)
Fast Fjord Norwegian IPA | ABV 6.3%
BJCP Style: Specialty IPA
Hops: Idaho Gem, Citra, Galaxy, Nelson Sauvin, & Mosaic
Malts: Unknown
Brewery: Gate City Brewing Company
City: Roswell, GA – 43 MAGNOLIA STREET
Kveik “Ka-Wike” has become a popular yeast strain craft brewers have embraced over the last couple of years. The primary advantage to it for brewing is that it can speed up fermentation time, allowing a brewer to produce a finished beer several days sooner than average, without producing unwanted off flavors. To the average craft beer drinker, you’re not going to really note the difference in a beer produced with Kveik versus one using some other ale yeast. That being said, breweries are producing some unique, enjoyable beers with this crazy yeast strain. Locally, I have found Akademia Brewing Company’s Skal Norwegian Wheat Ale to be one of my favorites. It is a fantastic summertime ale, light bodied and exhibiting various floral and fruit-like aromas and flavors. This past fall I discovered Gate City Brewing out of Roswell, GA sporting a Norwegian IPA that utilized Kveik in a tap room only release. After sampling it, I immediately hoped they would can it for release. Wish granted! Back in late March, Gate City released to distribution Fast Fjord Norwegian IPA. Naturally, I had to snag some for a review.
To enjoy a beer like Fast Fjord, I definitely recommend pouring it into a Tulip or Snifter style glass. That will allow you to really enjoy all the competing hops aromas as you drink your way down to the bottom of the glass. The beer pours to a hazy amber color and develops a nice, frothy white head. With a very generous dose of five different hops, you get a plethora of citrus and tropical fruit aromas and flavors. If you detect some pineapple or stone fruit-like aromas, those are most likely from the Kveik. If you want to compare it to a New England style IPA, this beer has virtually no bitterness either. It has a medium body to it, a nice prickly bite from the carbonation and a finish that is relatively dry and satisfying.
Gate City Brewing Company is one of two craft breweries located in the Historic Roswell Downtown District. The other Variant Brewing Company. Both are located within easy walking distance of each other, along with multiple restaurants and bars, which makes it a great area to spend and evening or two socializing with friends and family. Some of Gate City Brewing’s more popular offerings include Awe Juice IPA (American), Copperhead American Amber Ale, OTP Imperial IPA, Terminus Baltic Porter, Citras Maximus IPL, and Ex Pat Munich Dunkel. They also have a solid Sour Beer and Barrel Aged Beer program.
Thanks for reading and until next time…Let Us Drink Beer!
As always, please drink responsibly.
