Happy Hop Day!
Although I have finished my six pack of Potosi Snake Hollow IPA, I
figure there is no reason that a good thing should come to an end. Today’s beer comes from a mixed sampler of
New Glarus beers that my good friend, Brad, gave me for my birthday. I’ve intended to write about them for some
time, but we all know how time and good intentions are. Nonetheless, we’ve got one to lead the pack: New Glarus Brewing Company’s Hearty Hop Ale.
I poured it into the glass and have to say that I
immediately liked the deep golden hue with a nice red backbone. It had a prominent head that gradually faded,
leaving about a quarter inch of eggshell-colored foam. It smelled bready and citrusy, like peeling
an orange while entering a kitchen with the windows open to a cool, sunny
spring day and then catching the scent of freshly baked English muffins.
I took a big sip and instantly noticed the mouth feel -
comfortable and soft, like liquid velvet.
It started at the front of my mouth, slowly working back the roof to my
palate and then curling around the sides of my mouth, creating just a bit of a
pucker at the back of my cheeks. The
flavor was mild, with the malt flavors driven far to the background. I found the malt unnoticeable except when I concentrated
on it. Even then, it was only really
there at the beginning of the sip, quickly enveloped by the hops. The hops were bitter, but I didn’t notice
either floral or fruity notes.
The bottle says “Expect this Ale to pour a glass brimming
with rich caramel flavors . . .” It’s
true, I would describe the initial maltiness has having rich caramel flavors,
but they didn’t quite have the staying power I would have liked. The bottle also spoke of the “intense hop
aroma.” Which I’d agree with based on my “peeling an orange” and “open windows
on a spring day” references. There is
not a bit of false advertising on the bottle.
My favorate IPA?
No
A good IPA?
It's certainly above
average.
Maybe I’m thinking
about it too much or maybe I’m just looking for something different.
Drinkable?
Definitely. I could drink a
couple of these right now, if only I had another.
It’s best quality?
It’s color. It is a beautiful ale
with a nice head.
It’s second best quality?
It’s scent.
It’s third best quality?
It’s aftertaste. The aftertaste
brings something to the flavor that is close to the scent, but which I didn’t
find while drinking it.
The flavor, although good, was uninspiring.
I have yet to meet a New Glarus beer that I dislike. And I certainly don’t dislike this one. It’s good.
Quite good. But I don’t know if
it exemplifies what I am looking for when I purchase an IPA. I don’t know whether or not that is a short
coming of mine or of this particular beer.
I say that if you like a bitter beer, but aren’t looking for anything
too bitter, buy this beer and try it for yourself.
I rate it 3.5 - 4 stars.
