Upland Dragonfly IPA

Upland is new to Ohio distribution. Upland is out of Indiana (for those not familiar with American geography, Indiana is next to Ohio on the western border). They were picked up here in Columbus by Superior Beverage (the local Miller/Coors distributor who also carries a fantastic profile of craft beer such as Columbus Brewing Company, Rivertown, Erie Brewing, Frankenmuth, Oskar Blues, and the now defunct Neil House). This is the first chance we've had to try one of their brews, so I hope this leaves a lasting impression.

This pours a nice clear, amber color with decent head that does not linger. Now, I would like to point out at this point that there was around, mmm, roughly 10-15 minutes between the pour and where we are now. The aroma on this is earthy, tea-like faintness with some caramel and almost a skunkiness to it (not like Heinie or any other green bottle import sort of skunk, more like dank with sweetness). So, now, with my trusty gray snuggle bug by my side, I delve into this beer like an excavator in a cave that collapsed. The flavor is an interesting combination. There's a nice citrusy, piney blend with some earthy tones that pop up toward the back. The malt doesn't make itself as heavily known as other brews, but it's there. It's more of a biscuit flavor than a caramel flavor. A nice dry finish with some residual hops lingering to leave a resiny pleasantness about it... This has a light body. Very smooth drinking, mouthfeel like velvet with some pungent bitterness toward the back. I enjoy this.

Although they are new to the Ohio area, I can't wait to try more of their brews, especially as they've around 15 years now, and we, in this huge Craft Beer Mecca of Ohio, are just now hearing about them.

4.4/5 caps

-Nathan-

Let's discuss, just for a moment, how Ohio is the most underrated state in the craft beer scene. Sure, we all know Oregon, California, Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and New York are hot on the beer scene. I might even throw Vermont and Massachusetts onto that list. And sure, North Carolina is up-and-coming. Good for you! Ohio has something around 200 breweries, some larger than others (Great Lakes, anyone? Or hell, I drive past an Anheuser-Busch brewery every day), and yet, we get no respect. Consider this my official petition to get Ohio recognized among the best craft beer states. We make it, we drink it, we appreciate the hell out of it. And it's not just Columbus. No, sir. Cleveland, Cincinnati, Akron, Dayton, Toledo, Athens, Delaware (just north of Columbus)... all have killer local breweries. Some have killer regional breweries. And yet, in the mass beer press, we get no love. No love. It's now my mission to change that, one beer at a time.

Anyway, so this one is from our fair neighbor-to-the-west, Indiana. Let's get to it. Huh. Upland is based out of Bloomington, where Ohio State's rival, Indiana University, is located. And yet Nathan failed to mention that, all while I've been taking crap all night from him and a friend over the Ohio State-Michigan game from last fall. I've been to a football game at Memorial Stadium. That's more than most OSU fans can say. Anyway, back to this, the beer. It's amazingly clear. With the head long gone, it has a beautiful light, piney, citrusy aroma, with just a hint of bready malts in the background. It starts out earthy and resinous with pine, fading into more soft citrus and just a tinge of biscuit, then back into strong pine with an almost harsh bite at the end. It's pretty good, very light in body, very resin-y without being dank.

Upland, welcome to Ohio, 2014's Craft Beer Mecca Of The World. Although if we could get some Pliny or Heady Topper here, that'd be great. Thanks.

4.05/5 caps

-Jennie