Elevation Beer Co. 'First Cast' India Pale Ale Beer, Colorado

Grapefruit, citrus peel, and pine lead with a bright, resinous character balanced by a clean malt core and firm bitterness. Elevation Beer Co. 'First Cast' India Pale Ale Beer was conceived as the brewery team’s own go-to hop-forward IPA and became one of Elevation’s earliest defining releases when the brewery entered the Colorado craft beer scene in 2012. Its balance of expressive hops, moderate strength, and straightforward drinkability reflects Elevation’s broader focus on approachable beers shaped by mountain life and outdoor culture.

Product Details:

• ABV: 6.5%
• IBU: 60
• Production: Year-round

Sensory Description:

First Cast opens with grapefruit, citrus peel, and pine, followed by a lightly resinous hop character and a restrained malt foundation. The palate is medium-bodied and hop-forward without becoming excessively aggressive, with firm bitterness providing structure while citrus and evergreen notes remain clear through the mid-palate. The finish is dry, clean, and lingering, leaving a balanced impression of pine, grapefruit, and measured bitterness.

Brewer’s Background:

Elevation Beer Company was founded in 2012 in Poncha Springs, Colorado, by Christian Koch, Carlin Walsh, Sheila Bustamante, and Xandy Bustamante. The brewery developed around a shared interest in craft beer and a desire to build a business in Colorado’s Arkansas River Valley, with Koch serving as the original head brewer. Elevation has remained independently owned and has built its identity around balanced, drinkable beers inspired by the outdoor culture of central Colorado. First Cast carries that connection directly in its name, referring both to the first moments of a day spent fishing and to the beer’s role as Elevation’s own first cast into the Colorado beer community.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve chilled at approximately 7 to 10 degrees Celsius in an IPA glass, tulip, or nonic pint to highlight its citrus and pine aromatics. Pair with grilled burgers, fish tacos, spicy wings, barbecue, sharp cheddar, or roasted meats, where the beer’s firm bitterness and grapefruit character can cut through richness and complement savory or mildly spicy flavors.