Looks like Sierra Nevada is firing their hop torpedo at will. Three new hoppy offerings are on the way. Two in bottle and one draft only.
5 Years in One
I could not believe it when I read the label for this new Cigar City beer. Really? They hadn’t brewed anniversary beers. I don’t know if that is refreshing or dereliction of duty. Either way good to see the New Zealand hops in force.
Dry Hop that Saison – 2014
One of my favorite beers from last year was a Belgian dry hopped Saison from the experts in Saison, Dupont. Sadly, that particular beer will not be coming this year because…..”Every year Dupont’s Master Brewer, Olivier Dedeycker, makes a special dry-hopped version of the brewery’s world famous Saison Dupont. This lets him take advantage of different hop varieties each season. For 2014, he chose the famous English hop, CHALLENGER, renowned for its balance of bittering and aromatic qualities. Importantly, they were cultivated in Belgium by the farm that supplies Olivier’s Golding hops. Using only hop flowers (no pellets, please), he added them to the late boil and dry hopped in cold maturation. The result is “a super refreshing Saison with accentuated floral, spice and citrus hop notes.”
I have a feeling this might be one of the top beers of 2014.
Post Hop
A small beer version of an IPA? Do I smell a new IPA category in the offing? Either way, maybe a stray Drakes keg of Post-Hopocalypse (small beer made from Black Label) will make it’s way to Los Angeles.
Fernet? That’s New
I have never imbibed Fernet but even without that experience I am glad to see Odell’s Fernet Aged Porter, “an imperial porter aged in the barrels of the famous liqueur.” Why? Because bourbon barrels are a little played out in my opinion and craft brewing should always be trying new things and if one of the many flavors described below are found in this beer (brewed with lavender, honeysuckle, ginger root, bitter aloe, dandelion root, rose pedals, chamomile, and peppermint) , it could be a complex joy to drink.
I also don’t know much about this Fernet, but it is from Leopold Brothers Distillery and I have tasted other beers aged in their spirits and they have been wonderful.
A Hitch in my Giddy Up
Hands down winner of best beer label design and also winner of (the probably) most costly label award to (for cutting out the arrows) are from Crux Fermentation Project and another cool label is ready for the Mosaic IPA (imperialized) which they describe as….”Hops climb up twine that’s just loosely tied to the trellis with a half hitch knot— and this Imperial IPA is just loosely tied to tradition. The Mosaic hop imparts surprisingly floral aromas instead of the more expected grapefruit-y notes. On the palate, complex layers of flavors might remind you of guava, mango, stone fruit and lemon, unraveling your idea of what an Imperial IPA should be.”
Two New to start 2014 with
1) Mother Earth – Sin Tax
“Premium British crystal and roasted malts meld with a Maris Otter base and American hops, giving way to a brown sugar and peanut butter essence that finishes beautifully.” So writes Co-Founder and Head Brewer Kamron Khannakhjavani on the label back.”
2. Ninkasi – Dawn of the Red
“This beer has the bitterness and drinkability of an India Pale Ale and uses some newer hops that create a real juicy flavor profile of mangos, papaya, and pineapple,”
Hindsight is…
Golden Road’s Custom IPA’s have a new addition. And whether it is about your eyesight or 6 years from now, 2020 sounds like a good way to start 2014.
Class of ’88
Deschutes and Goose Island have teamed up for the final Class of ’88 installment….
And here is the little blurb put out about it…”This exotic beer was brewed with Michigan Riesling and Oregon Pinot Noir grapes, hops from Mt. Hood and pilsner malt – all aged in barrels that previously held Muscat wine in them for 10 years. ” Beers with grapes can be tricky to make beer-y enough with good wine characteristics so this will be a test to see how these two “ancient” breweries handle it.
Ecliptic Filament Winter IPA
Talk about a cool and understated label with an intriguing beer from Ecliptic inside. The name is an inspired choice. Fits the brewery name and the season. Though, I have started seeing the nomenclature of Winter or Fall IPA’s on some beers and I hope this sub-set of a style gets some clarification. Otherwise we could be heading toward a free-fall come judging time.