The Next in the Variance IPA series: Avo Honey IPA!

 Island Brewing Company has released the Avo IPA, the latest in its Variance Series of IPAs. Last year was the first time in the brewery’s 13-year history that the Avocado Honey Ale was produced year-round instead of only as a seasonal beer offered in the fall. This year, the  brewing team decided to design a beer that would not only complement Carpinteria's biggest event of the year, the Avocado Festival (held Oct 3-5), but also bring a new approach to brewing an IPA.

“We added 60 lbs of locally sourced avocado honey from Carpinterian avocado groves,” said Head Brewer Ryan Morrill, “and then added Columbus, Chinook, and Cascade hops. The end result is that we have a beer we’re pretty excited about, one that weighs in at 6.9 % abv and 62 IBUs. There’s a real nice light honey flavor that balances out an even bitterness for a very drinkable IPA.”

And if history is any indication, the Variance Avo IPA won’t last long. Attendance at the Avocado Festival has been steadily climbing annually to include some 100,000 people that descend on the usually sleepy beachside town of Carpinteria. With any luck and a little planning, future Avocado Festivals may just see the brewery able to offer pints at the festival itself. For now though festival goers will have to find their way down to the brewery to sample some of the nine beers on tap and take advantage of fresh, local, handcrafted 16 oz. pints for $4, ocean views, and unparalleled camaraderie.