REHOBOTH BEACH — Thompson Island Brewing Company, a branch of SoDel Concepts, earned a gold medal for Boat Day White IPA at the U.S. Open Beer Championship.
The competition is one of the top three in the United States.
“Boat Day brings together the refreshingly crisp mouthfeel and yeast esters of a Belgian witbier with light lemony and orange hop notes of a summery IPA,” said Jimmy Valm, head brewer at Thompson Island and its new sister brewery, Ocean View Brewing Company. “It’s a beer that’s perfect for sipping when you’re by the water — or on it.”
The Belgian esters deliver the citrusy flavor and aroma, said Matt Patton, the certified cicerone who oversees SoDel Concept’s beer program. “There is also the scent and subtle flavor of bubblegum and pear, plus cloves from the phenols,” he added.
The beer’s slightly bready wheat-based maltiness gives way to the lemon and orange peel of the hops in the middle and end.
Boat Day White IPA is available in cans and on draft at Thompson Island on Coastal Highway in Rehoboth Beach while supplies last.