Steph’s New Brew Review: Castaway Chocolate Orange IPA

Thomas Creek Brewery’s Castaway Chocolate Orange IPA, a 7.5% India Pale Ale

Thomas Creek Brewery, located in Greenville, SC, opened in 1998. Their brewing system includes both 30 and 3 1/2 barrel systems that allow them to create both year-round releases as well as smaller batches of seasonal and specialty brews.

Head Brewer Tom Davis brews 13 beers under the Thomas Creek name and about 30 other beers for contract breweries, including Piggly Wiggly Supermarket.

This year-round release from Thomas Creek is brewed with Chocolate Wheat, Honey Malt, 2Row, and Black Patent malts, as well as Citra, Magnum, Chinook, Centennial, Cascade, and Amarillo hops with orange peel. Castaway comes in at 100 IBUs and is available in 12 ounce bottles.

Appearance

brown with orange-red hues

Aroma

citrusy and piney hops, hints of chocolate

Taste

just like it smells; lots of citrus hop flavor balanced by toasted malts followed by a hint of dark chocolate at the end

Mouthfeel

crisp and dry with medium carbonation

Overall

Castaway surprised me. It is an extremely drinkable beer, especially considering the IBUs. It wasn’t as “crazy” as I was expecting from the name of the beer, as the chocolate and orange are definitely in the background, but it’s still an enjoyable beer.

Check out… this video from Around Carolina to learn more about Thomas Creek Brewery!