Bodhizafa

Tasting Notes

Bodhizafa leads with a pronounced tropical and citrus aroma — think mango, tangerine, and a thread of pine resin underneath. On the palate it's medium-bodied with a soft, almost pillowy malt backbone that keeps the bitterness from turning aggressive. The hops dominate but stay balanced, delivering stone fruit and a mild dankness before a clean, moderately bitter finish. It's a well-integrated West Coast-leaning IPA that avoids the sharp edges some examples in the style carry.

About the Brewery

Georgetown Brewing Company is based in Seattle, Washington, and has grown into one of the largest craft breweries in the Pacific Northwest by volume. Founded in 2002, they've built their reputation largely on approachable, well-made lagers and ales distributed widely across Washington state. Bodhizafa is one of their flagship beers and a consistent top-seller in the Seattle market. They operate out of a large production facility and have a taproom with a strong local following.

Food Pairings

The tropical hop character here works well alongside grilled fish tacos, where citrus notes in the beer echo fresh salsa and cut through the fat of fried fish. A burger with sharp cheddar is a natural match because the moderate bitterness scrubs richness off the palate. Thai green curry pairs nicely since the stone fruit and mango tones in the hops mirror ingredients already in the dish. Aged gouda is worth trying too — its caramel depth plays against the dank, resinous hop finish without either overwhelming the other.

Style Guide

India Pale Ales are defined by their elevated hop character, which can express as bitterness, aroma, or both, depending on the brewing approach. The style originated in England but was transformed by American craft brewers starting in the 1980s and 90s, who pushed hop aroma and flavor to the foreground using varieties like Cascade, Centennial, and later Citra and Mosaic. American IPAs typically range from about 6 to 7.5% ABV with medium to full body and enough malt to keep the bitterness in check. West Coast IPAs lean dry and resinous; New England IPAs favor haze and soft, juicy fruit; Bodhizafa sits closer to the West Coast tradition with some modern softness built in.