The Kick-butt Hoppy Beer thread

[GoddessOfGuinness]

This evening I had a glass of De Ranke brewery's XX Bitter.
If you enjoy hops, you've got to try this brew! The flavor doesn't quit until several minutes after your last sip; and there's a yeast-like character to it that complements the hops wonderfully. Mmmmm...I'm buying this one again! :beer:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

1. kick for humanity

:kick::beer:

[AntiCoup2K4]

2. How about Hemp instead of hops?

:beer:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

3. I haven't tried any hemp brews yet...

Do you like the Humboldt the best?

[AntiCoup2K4]

4. Only one I've tried so far, and that was only within the last week

...when I just happenned to be driving down the coast and stayed in Humboldt County. The beer doesn't seem to circulate much outside of the local area unfortunately.

So who else has a hemp beer, hopefully a little easier to find.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

5. Frederick Brewing Company

was, I believe, the first in the US. I also heard about a brewerty in Montana that produced something called "Olde Bongwater" (sounds terrible!), which is supposed to be a hemp porter.

Those are the only brands I remember, offhand...

[AntiCoup2K4]

11. Looks like my next road trip will have to be Montana

http://www.kettlehouse.com/ourbrews.html

It really does exist, but apparently also not sold outside the local area :(

[catzies]

13. I was in Humboldt County this weekend too.

:hippie:

Didn't have the Hemp Ale, but at a restaurant in Eureka Friday night I had an Anchor Steam ale that was yummy. :beer:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

6. But this is supposed to be about hops...

:kick:

[Kellanved]

7. Radeberger

and others have a very strong hop note.


Hmm, somehow the English language is lacking. Is there are word for "good bitter", like the German "herb" ?

[GoddessOfGuinness]

9. Bitter works for me!

It doesn't need to be interpreted in a negative way.

Take Coniston Bluebird Bitter, for example... :beer:

[AntiCoup2K4]

8. OK, then... getting back to the hoppity hops

Can't get much hoppier than this local favorite....

Bottleworks India Pale Ale

Bottleworks specialty beverage sellers in Seattle commisioned and assisted in the design of this extraordinary beer based on the cult following of our existing Dick’s IPA. We molded that hop lovers fantasy into an industrial ale, bumping it up to a higher alcohol percentage and adding even more hops!

We start with a mash tun filled to the brim with Northwest premium 2-row malted barley, intense caramel malts to provide a malt backbone and a touch of chocolate malt for depth and color. An extra long boil is necessary to extract the full potential of the northwest hops we use to the extreme.

We make three massive hop charges throughout the boil of a type specially chosen to contribute the maximum bitterness, and intensive flavor and aroma.

Available in 22 oz. bottles
8.5%ABV OG=1.080 TG=1.015



http://www.dicksbeer.com/brews_bottleworks.html

[GoddessOfGuinness]

10. Haven't seen Bottleworks on this coast...

Guess I'll have to go west.

Interesting about the De Ranke...the APV is only 6%; but that does nothing to inhibit the flavor. Also, most hoppy beers give me a touch of a headache; but this one didn't. Maybe the bottle-conditioning had something to do with it.

[AntiCoup2K4]

12. Most IPA's seem to be in the 5.5 - 6.0 % alcohol range.

The Bottleworks at 8.5% is definitely the highest I've seen in an IPA.

My "usual" IPA (which I drink when I need a break from Stouts) is Pyramid IPA which is a 6.7%



http://www.pyramidbrew.com/beer/beerguide.php?b=ipa