Beer'd Brewing Company - Dogs & Boats

What: A Double IPA with Citra and Mosaic Hops [9.1% ABV]

How we Had it: Out of a can into a Beer'd Brewing Teku.

What we Saw: An inviting hazy tangerine orange color with a two finger width white foamy head.  Head settles to a light layer of foam shortly after pour and remains throughout, leaving a nice amount of lacing as the volume of beer decreased. 

What we Smelled: From the moment the can pops open a pungent hop aroma fills the air.  Sticking your nose in the glass, you're greeted by ripe tropical fruit, fruit candy (think starburst), and pine.  The beautiful bouquet of tropical fruit is backed by a robust earthy character.  Beautiful from start to finish.

What we Tasted: A mix of fresh squeezed ripe tropical fruit juices abound.  The flavors follow the aroma.  Notes of pineapple, mango, ripe papaya, passionfruit, and wild berries are present.  Again, a candy like quality is subtle but noticeable, reminiscent of Starfruit chews.  Resin and pine round out the juiciness and provide a "just right" amount of bitterness. The beer is dry and easily drinkable at 9.1%, yet maintains a subtle sweetness and substantial body, creating balance.

What we Thought: We love this beer.  Beer'd Brewing is producing high quality hop forward beers somewhat under the radar, and this is no exception.  It's what any hophead looks for - juicy, aromatic, resinous, and hop-forward; yet, blanched and approachable enough for those just coming to the style.  The 9.1% ABV is hardly noticeable and does not distract from the star of the show: the hops.  The aroma is just wonderful and stays with you throughout the entire glass.  Pop the can open and you are immediately excited for what's to come.  The beer delivers and exceeds expectations.  This one is definitely worth searching out!  

Lord Hobo Brewing Co. Boom Sauce

What: Blended Imperial IPA or "hoppy ale" as per the can; 8% ABV  [blend of 3 separate IPAs]

How we had it: Out of a can into a Lord Hobo tulip snifter within one week of packaging

What we saw: Bright and opaque orange with a one finger white foamy head.  Head quickly dissipates to a light layer of foam over top and a nice thick ring around the border of the glass which remains throughout. Beautiful lacing on glass as well.  Really inviting beer to see in a glass and great head retention.

What we Smelled: An interesting combination of tropical fruit and pine.  A faint bready sweetness trails behind the pronounced resinous hop character of this beer balancing the aroma. The hop profile presents ripe pineapple, mango, earth, and pine, with grapefruit becoming more present as the beer warms. 

What we tasted: An immediate attack of hops.  A pleasant bitterness lingers on the tongue but does not overwhelm the palate - but this is a hoppy beer!  The tropical fruit first noticed on the nose follows suit up front of palate with the bitterness coming next.  A really nice malt presence holds up the hops and balances the flavor and bitterness of the hops.  In our opinion, this malt backbone is crucial to the balanced nature of the beer.  The malt backbone of the beer, accomplished by blending three of Lord Hobo's IPAs, allows the hops to shine while maintaining a flavorful vehicle for the bitterness and resinous nature of the 8 hops found in the beer.  At 8%, the ABV lends to the body of the beer but is not more than a faint character in the flavor profile which adds some more complexity to the beer.  Again, as the beer warms, the tropical fruit character gives way to the grapefruit which becomes the dominant flavor.

What we thought: From start to finish this beer displays balance and purpose.  It's a wonderfully crafted blend of three IPAs, blended to achieve that balance.  Along with that balance, the beer lends itself to the dinner table more so than most IPAs.  If you're looking for an IPA that is nothing more than a hop soda, this is not your beer - but if you're looking for a creative, balanced, and complex interpretation of the style this is a winner.  It's more than just hops and we appreciate it's reliance upon a proper and well crafted malt backbone.  Boom Sauce would go fantastic with heavily spiced foods, jerk seasoning, or Indian food (think hot tandoori chicken).  It's a unique interpretation of the style drawing influence from the staple west coast IPAs which brought the style to the forefront in the first place.  It is definitely its own beer.  Try it fresh and let it warm just a bit to allow the complexity of the beer shine.