Reformation Brewery - Oren

Reformation’s Oren IPA presents a hazy yellow-straw color in the glass, beneath a cap of persistent foam that drops to a lasting collar. On the nose, look for a subtly complex hop profile with notes of tropical fruits evoking mango, along with peach & nectarine stone fruits, touches of tangerine & grapefruit citrus, and a hint of pine. On the palate, this easy-going IPA offers us pleasant fruitiness; Azacca and Mosaic are known for delivering plenty of tropical fruit impressions, and these notes come through in the lead, joined by soft citrus tones. Supporting the hops is a nicely smooth body, the malts offering clean flavor with a bit of wheaty tanginess. While not quite to the point we’d officially call this a ‘session IPA,’ at just 5.5% ABV Oren makes for a super drinkable and refreshing brew that we kept reaching for again and again. For pairing options, we’re thinking fresh and moderately spicy Vietnamese and Thai dishes should play nicely with Oren, along with crispy chicken fingers, fish & chips, sandwiches & burgers, and other breaded and/or fried dishes. Cheers!

Reformation Brewery didn’t begin as a lifelong dream followed by years and years of careful planning. It was actually a bit of an accident. Co-founders Spencer Nix and Nick Downs met and became friends years ago when Nick was a Delta pilot who would bring great European beers back with him to the US. This was at a time before the craft beer revolution had reached the Southeast in a significant way. When Nick eventually moved up to flying larger planes and his routes became more global, his supply of European brews dried up. Fatefully, Nick and Spencer decided they’d just make the beers themselves, and began homebrewing. As they routinely produced more than they could consume, they began inviting folks over to drink up the stock… and things spiraled from there. Over the next few years these events grew massively; sometimes as many as 150 people would show up, often traveling from other states to experience Nick & Spencer’s great beer – and the great community that had sprung up around it.

With their friends encouraging them – and offering to invest – the duo decided to open their own official brewery, with Reformation Brewery coming to life in Woodstock, GA in 2013. The company’s entire ethos remains focused around the fantastic conversation, camaraderie, and sense of community that led Reformation to its genesis in the first place. On this path, they’ve opened additional locations in Canton and Smyrna, the former now serving as the main production location for their numerous year-round, seasonal, and limited production offerings. In addition to beer, Reformation also produces ranch waters and other canned cocktails, as well as a line of spirits. For more info, visit them at reformationbrewery.com.