Last night I tasted at least half of the 40 firkins tapped at the Night of the Living Ales. Lots of flavors, the usuals; malt, roasty malt, hops (lots of hops) and the newer ones too including barrels and fruit. All have their place, which is what makes beer and American brewing in particular so inspiring. So many flavors out there. Memory says at least 10 of 40 beers were dry hopped IPA's or super bad imperial or double ipa's, might have been closer to half. Hops have dominated the small brewers output for the last 3 to 5 years. Some beers do it well, others test the drinkers enthusiasm by balancing the scales so toward the spicy hop flavors and away from malt that the term beer might be replaced with hop tea blended with beer. I have a six pack of SN Torpedo in my fridge, or rather 2 bottles left. That is a well done hop tonic, not enough malt to notice, but just enough to balance all those hops. Other brewers should pick up a sixer of Torpedo and learn from the best.
Beer has always been unique on the shelf of adult beverages in that it is refreshing as well as alcoholic and tasty. Even with the big brewers claiming ownership of drinkability, small brewers shouldn't evade that quality, for it is a quality. And too many hop monsters are simply not drinkable. That my friends, is pure and simple a waste of good hops.
Cheers.
Subscribe To
Posts
All Comments
