On a cool autumn afternoon, as golden sunlight streams down the streets of Calgary, there is a beer waiting to tell its story. It is not a loud, bitter beer, nor is it a bland, forgettable beer. #3 Tokyo Drift Last Best is a gentle symphony of warm caramel malt and delicate earthy hops – an English IPA masterpiece that will make beer connoisseurs' hearts flutter.
In the volatile world of craft beer, where beers compete with each other on bitterness and explosive fruit flavors, Tokyo Drift chooses to go against the grain – back to classic beauty where balance is the ultimate artEvery drop of beer is a reminder of the golden age of British pubs, where people cherished every moment of enjoyment, where beer was not just a drink but also a soul mate.
This is the beer for the afternoons. when time seems to slow down, when you want to find the most original values of the art of brewing beer. A bottle of beer does not need to be ostentatious, but is profound enough to make the drinker smile and nod - because sometimes, True perfection lies in the simplest of things..
1. The Rise of Last Best Eatery & Brewpub
Year 2013, in the heart of beautiful Calgary (Alberta, Canada), a culinary gem was born under the creative hands of Concorde Entertainment Group – the wizards behind the famous chain of venues like Craft Beer Market. Not an ordinary brewpub, Last Best from the first moment is a passionate love song between the art of craft beer and traditional pub food elevated.
Just one year later (2014), they expanded their production, becoming one of the pioneers in combining fine dining and craft brewery right in the heart of the city. But the journey was truly brilliant from 2015–2020, when their beers continuously won Alberta Beer Awards, affirming their position as a fortress of flavor undeniable. And then five 2022, they made beer connoisseurs swoon with the IPA Series, including #3 Tokyo Drift - a masterpiece dedicated to adventurous taste buds.
Last Best's philosophy? Simple yet proud: “Every drop of beer is the crystallization of passion, every dish is a symphony between tradition and modernity.”
The name Last Best It’s no coincidence that it has a historical feel to it. It’s a tribute to Alberta’s nickname of “Last Best West” in the 19th century – when it was considered the “last promised land” for pioneers looking for opportunity. Last Best Brewpub, too, has always had a pioneering spirit, becoming a destination “last and greatest” for those who crave experience top craft beer in the heart of the modern city.
2. IPA #3 Tokyo Drift: A Borderless Taste Adventure
Launched in 2022 as a charming limited release, #3 Tokyo Drift is a love song for those who love traditional English IPA but crave something different. With 7.2% ABV, it is a delicate balance of sweet caramel malt and enchanting earthy hops – a complete departure from the often bitter American IPA.
The name “Tokyo Drift” Not related to Japan or movies, but poetic metaphor: like a drift car skillfully gliding, the beer's flavor also "drifts" gently from sweet to passionate, leaving an unforgettable aftertaste on the tip of the tongue. This is the third part of the famous IPA Series of Last Best - where each bottle of beer is a story, each breath is an invitation to adventure.
3. IPA #3 Tokyo Drift: Charming English IPA Style
In the vast world of craft beer, #3 Tokyo Drift of Last Best as a British muse full of charm, carrying the essence of the line English IPA Traditional. Not as loud as an American IPA, not as harsh as a West Coast IPA, she gently balances between sweet caramel malt and hops earthy cozy – a love song dedicated to those who love beauty classic yet liberal.
3.1. A Fascinating Sensory Journey
- Color: Deep amber with a hint of copper shimmers, like an autumn sunset reflecting through a glass of beer.
- Alcohol content (7.2% ABV): Strong enough to warm the heart, but not harsh – like a gentle winter hug.
- Bitterness (40–50 IBU): Just a whisper light, much smoother than its American IPA brothers (usually 50–70 IBU).
- Body: Medium to full – the feeling of honey mixed with smooth foam, leaving an aftertaste of toast (biscuit malt) and warm chestnuts.
English hops Fuggles & East Kent Goldings weave the layers of fragrance like an English garden after the rain: wildflowers, smoky Earl Grey tea, and a hint of rustic damp earth. Accented with sweet caramel malt, like the burnt sugar on crème brûlée. The slightly bitter aftertaste lingers just long enough to leave you feeling wistful, as if you’ve just finished reading a romantic poem.
3.2. Subtle Differences
If American IPA is free-spirited california boy (citrus, pine full of energy), West Coast IPA is a street artist with personality (bitter, resinous), then Tokyo Drift is the elegant London gentleman - where malt and hops dance together in absolute harmony.
Small note: Some Untappd users feel plum, apricot scent (due to fermentation), although this is not typical of English IPA. Perhaps, this is the mysterious smile that Last Best put into this masterpiece!
4. The Art of Enjoying a Masterpiece English IPA
4.1. Temperature & Beer Glass: The Golden Moment For Sublime Flavor
Let #3 Tokyo Drift whisper with your taste buds 8–12°C – not too cold to lose its complexity Warm caramel malt, not too warm to make the lines earthy from English hops to rough. It is the temperature of the respect, when each drop of beer is like a symphony played in the right key.
- Nonic Pint: The distinctive convex glass not only gives you a firm grip after a few sips, but also acts like a Baroque painting that enhances the amber beauty of the beer.
- Pint Glass/Tumbler: If you don't have a Nonic, choose a familiar yet elegant glass, wide enough to let the Earl Grey tea & hazelnut aromas from the beer float in the air.
4.2. Food: Great Co-Stars
- Cheeseburger: The caramel in the beer hugs the richness, like a warm bass note in jazz.
- BBQ ribs with honey sauce: The slight bitterness from the hops cuts through the smoky sweetness, leaving a clean, enticing finish.
- Sea Salt & Mustard Pretzel: Evoking the toasty aroma of malt, as a subtle counterpoint.
- Aged cheddar cheese: The nutty aroma of the beer and the deep richness of the cheese will make you exclaim: "How can it be so compatible!"
- Crispy French Fries: The contrast between the crisp shell and the full body of the beer creates a pleasant melody on the tongue.
4.3. Drinking Occasion: When Emotions Need to Be Sublimated
- Autumn Dinner Party: The amber glow of the beer is like a warm woolen blanket, and the alcohol content of 7.2% ABV is a small fire warming up stories under the yellow light.
- After dinner: Like a “dessert beer” – the sweet malt flavor will be the perfect punctuation to your meal.
- Meet friends at the pub: The English IPA style makes the atmosphere classic yet intimate, like sitting in a small London pub in the heart of Calgary.
*P/S: Do you want me to suggest another one? music playlist to accompany a bottle of #3 Tokyo Drift? Just say it, I'll turn your enjoyment into a a night to remember!
5. Conclusion: The Adventure That Remains As Memories
There are beers that are simply drinks, but #3 Tokyo Drift Last Best is a liquid love song – where warm caramel aromas linger with gentle earthy hops, like hands cherishing the deepest desires of the drinker. Each sip of beer is a “drift” through British memories, where malt and hops dance in the golden pub lights, leaving on the lips a sweet taste like a promise.
This is not a beer for the hurried. It demands you. Slow down, to feel each layer of flavor like reading a page of late autumn poetry – when the taste of toast blends with Earl Grey tea, when the alcohol content of 7.2% ABV quietly spreads warmth down to the chest. Whether it's a romantic dinner, a lively party with friends, or a moment alone by the rainy window, Tokyo Drift always knows how to be a witness to the most sincere emotions.
Raise a glass and let this English IPA masterpiece tell you the story of Calgary – where tradition meets modernity, where “last best” is not the end, but the beginning of the best moments. Cheers, with open hearts!
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