Revision Smoke and Mirrors IPA with ‘The Dropout’
Hulu’s dramatization of the Theranos scandal suggests the lies started almost immediately. For a more delicious taste of smoke and mirrors, turn to Revision Brewing.
The Show: Drama miniseries / 2022 / Hulu
The Beer: Imperial New England IPA / 8% ABV / Revision Brewing Co. – Sparks, Nevada
I had a beer a while ago called “Green Juice.” I don’t remember the exact flavors, but I do remember it was an IPA with big, green hop flavors that probably could have mellowed out in the can longer, but was delicious nonetheless. If I could find it anywhere now, I think it’d be a wonderful beer pairing for The Dropout.
Of course, Green Juice IPA would also be a little on the nose. For those are are unfamiliar with the life and times of failed biotech mogul Elizabeth Holmes, “green juice” (the fresh-squeezed stuff, not the alcoholic stuff) was what she claimed to run on. Given her track record of lies it’s impossible to say how true her beverage choice claims were, but Hulu’s show about her wheelings and dealings has certainly taken to it (see the pic above).
But I digress. Seeing as I couldn’t track down a fresh batch of Green Juice IPA, I went with a possibly even better choice — Smoke and Mirrors IPA from Revision Brewing. After all, if The Dropout shows anything, it’s that the whole Theranos operation was pretty much smoke and mirrors from the get-go.
The Show: The Dropout
If you’re not sure what I’m talking about in regards to deception, I’m guessing you didn’t read much tech-related news in the mid-2010s. Here’s the short version: Stanford University dropout (and offspring of a former Enron businessman, no less) Elizabeth Holmes, raised a lot of money from investors based on an idea rather than actual science and invention. She continued to deceive investors for years (with the help of her COO and secret boyfriend, Ramesh “Sunny” Balwani), even as many of her employees quit in frustration or were fired for acknowledging that the product didn’t work. Finally, it all came crashing down between 2015 and 2016, and Holmes was found guilty of fraud earlier this year.
Though definitely dramatized to the point where you actually feel sorry for Holmes at times (while she’s actively deceiving others, no less!), Hulu’s rendition is so far pretty on point in its run of events. Amanda Seyfried is also crazy believable in the lead, capturing Holmes’ presence (and that voice!) if not her exact look. I admit I don’t know too much about Balwani, but it’s nice to see Naveen Andrews (of Lost fame) back in a bigger role.
The Beer Pairing: Smoke and Mirrors IPA
So, what can you expect from Smoke and Mirrors IPA? Like most hoppy beasts these days, this one is a hazy, New England-style IPA. But Revision’s brew crew has the expertise to make it stand out. Using a triple threat of Mosaic, Citra and Amarillo hops, the brews managed a plethora of juicy tropical notes. I’d say the citrus aromas are the forerunner here, though the bursts of mango, papaya, and some interesting florals are very nice indeed.
Like Elizabeth Holmes and the Theranos saga, there’s a ton of layers to unpack here. But unlike the story the beer’s paired with, there’s no disappointment underneath. In fact, there’s not even much bitterness to speak of — it gets a little sharp but then rolls smoothly away, leaving you ready for more sips. Considering it’s 8%, that’s pretty impressive.
Of course, I’ve come to expect stuff like that from Revision Brewing. They’re in Sparks, Nevada, which is just a stone’s throw away from Reno. Though in 2020, Business Insider named them the most popular brewery in the whole state!
Suffice to say, their Smoke and Mirrors IPA leaves a much better taste in your mouth than the misdeeds of a convicted fraudster. With this in mind, the beer definitely helps to balance out the show nicely.
