Port Brewing High Tide Fresh Hop IPA

The Dirt
Fresh Hop beers are an interesting bread, something I haven't experienced much of but look forward to becoming more versed in. It's a beer that's made with fresh hops right off the vine rather than freeze-dried hops or hop pellets, giving the beer the freshest hop flavor possible. I'm told they're often less bitter and have more of the flavoring notes. They usually are best consumed ASAP so not to lose the freshness. I tried this Port Brewing version during the past fall peak.

My first impression was that this wet hop IPA tasted like a hopped up pale ale, as it was a bit light for an IPA, though that's probably due to the process. The fresh hop profile lingers throughout, but mainly is piney for the last 2/3 of the beer. Unlike my expectations, this led to a bit more bitterness than I expected at the end of its taste. I'm guessing there's also less malt in the beer, allowing the full impact of the hops to come out.

All in all this wasn't too bad, but didn't stand out as much as I hoped. Perhaps it was the hop selection used, as I was hoping for a more floral/herbal explosion rather than the piney notes. I usually like a bit more malt involved when hops with a piney character are used, creating a nice balance between bitter and sweet.

Worth it?
The bomber was only like $5 or $6, so yes. However, I look forward to trying other fresh hop beers to compare. This was certainly one of the cheaper ones I saw on the shelf.

The Final Word

Sam Adams Dark Depths

The Dirt
The Dark Depths is another addition to what I call Sam Adams' experimental bomber line. The beer caught my attention with its proclaimed style: Baltic IPA. I love Baltic porters and am a big fan of IPAs, so this was a must try.

And a tale of two beers was indeed the story of this beer. Deep and complex would be the words I would use to describe its character. It starts off like a black IPA, with good upfront hoppiness for the first half of the beer plus some slight maltiness. Then it turns over into Baltic porter territory for the back half, with slight dark chocolate notes and a bit of toasted notes. Once my sip was complete, I noticed that the hops still lingered on my tongue ever so slightly. As the beer warms up it becomes less like an IPA and more like the Baltic porter half - basically a slightly hoppy Baltic porter. The toastiness starts to become more apparent earlier, while the hops become less impactful.

A really well designed beer that has many layers and changes over temps. Perfect in a bomber, as it's not super drinkable though not too much of a task.

Worth it?
Definitely. It was not only a fun try, but a delicious find. Many times I enjoy an experimental beer but don't really have the desire to have again. Not true here. A good fall beer or for the winter time when you want a little more hops.

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Deschutes Chainbreaker White IPA

The Dirt
It's no secret I love everything Deschutes, but that doesn't mean they don't have to prove themselves when they release a new beer. The Chainbreaker was released this summer, and will be a staple of my summers to come for as long as they brew this refreshing brew.

Light in color and crisp subtle wheat profile like a wit with hop levels of a weaker IPA or stronger pale ale, this beer screams refreshment without sacrificing flavor. Although certainly drinkable anytime of the year, its great citrus hop profile combined with wit characteristics makes it the perfect companion to a hot summer day. It's also incredible with spicy food. All in all a very well balanced beer that's refreshing yet layered. Come March it'll make you even more restless for the summer days ahead.

Worth it?
Yes. If you don't like hops, it may not be for you. However, it's on the lower end of an IPA, so it's worth a try if you have a part-time interest in hops. If you're a hop-head, it's not overly hoppy, but will be a nice "session" beer in terms of hops for the summer time.

The Final Word

 

Pyramid Outburst Imperial IPA

The Dirt
I had this beer on tap in Portland a little over a year ago at the Pyramid taphouse. It was certainly enjoyable, so it was a nice surprise to see it in bottles at my local liquor store. Just like the taphouse version, this beer made it clear that it's for hop heads. Equipped with a very sharp hop profile, it came across very dry with heavy pine and almost spicy hops. This is fantastic if you're in the mood for a boatload of hops, which I certainly can be. However, if you're not, this beer can be hard to drink. If it had a bit of biscuity sweetness on the back end, it would be a much more balanced beer. Then again, I doubt that's what it's aiming for. If you're not into hops...stay away. If you are...enjoy my friend.

Worth it?
Not if you don't like hops. If you do, a 6-pack is very well priced. I would be more inclined to buy again if it came in a 4-pack or as a single.

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Russian River Pliney the Elder

The Dirt
I've been amazed with how hard it is to get this beer. Then again, with a 100 rating on Beer Advocate, I guess I can understand why. And after having it...twice...I really know why.

Billed by many as the best double IPA out there, I'm always reluctant to crown a beer "best ever". But I can certainly see why many say this, as The Elder is something special. Most double IPAs have intense hops at the front, and then return to normal levels with perhaps some biscuity sweetness on the latter half. The Elder is different in that its intense fresh piney and citrusy hop notes just keep going...and going...and going. Even when it's all gone, the fresh hops are on your tongue for another minute at least. The sensation is almost tingly, or maybe even spicy. It's hops Heaven really, but not in a bitter pucker-face kind of way. It's actually very refreshing with it's medium body, and the alcohol is hidden very well. Perhaps one of the most unique beers I've had, and one of the best too.

As the label says, drink promptly. This is one of the few beers where time is a real enemy, as you want all that fresh hoppiness for the full flavor impact. I read a lot about the possibility of aging The Elder, and concluded it to be a bad idea. There just isn't enough malt, and the intense hops (which is why this beer is special) will only disappear. And use a snifter glass if you've got one, as it'll condense the nose even more.

Worth it?
Yes. Yes and yes. Yes, yes, and yes. In case you're confused: YES. If you love hops, this guy is a must. If you don't like hops, it's cheap enough (or it was for me) to try something like this to reconfirm if you actually don't like hops. I paid a jaw-dropping $4.25 for each Elder. Why did I only buy two? They only had two left.

The Final Word

Sam Adams Third Voyage

The Dirt
Another entry on the Sam Adams experimental beer line, Third Voyage is a double IPA that uses Cascade hops from different regions of the world. The approach created a very good and drinkable double IPA, but was lacking some of the impact of other doubles I've had. Solid Cascade hop flavor at the front with a little biscuitiness on the back, but could use a little more of both. Like the Tasman Red, the Third Voyage gets better with warmth. But again, if left to become too warm, it gets a bit too bitter and the alcohol begins to dominate the taste profile.

Worth it?
A very good double IPA worth my time and penny, but didn't get me as excited as other doubles I've had. I think it may have been a little pricy given others in the market, but if you're like me, it's hard not to buy the whole lineup of experimental beers like this. But if you don't regularly buy beers like this, I think there are better for the price for your special purchase, such as the Dogfish 90 Minute.

The Final Word

Sam Adams Tasman Red

The Dirt
Part of Sam Adam's new experimental line, the Tasman Red is meant to be a red IPA, which likely was influenced by the recent emergence of the black IPA style. The Tasman starts out strong with a good initial hop flavor with a red ale kind of maltiness. The hoppiness reminded more of a hoppy pale ale, but still a good amount. But all of the show is up-front, as I found the back-end kind of lacking. The whole profile just kind of *poof* and disappears. If only some of that red ale-ness lingered, and some biscuit notes were added at the end. In its defense, the Tasman gets a little better as it warms up. The hop flavor lasts a little longer and there are some more hints of caramel at the back-end. But don't let it warm too long, as it gets a bit too bitter, and not the good kind. An interesting idea that could use a few tweaks.

Worth it?
It was certainly worth the try, and wasn't half bad. But if a few tweaks were made to shore up the back-end, it would then be a nice buy. Unless you're a big Sam Adams fan like me or want to see what a first attempt at a red IPA results in, I'd say hold off for now. Then again, this was the most economically priced beer in the series, and was a pretty good deal at less than $5.

The Final Word

BridgePort Hop Czar Imperial IPA

 

The Dirt

I love hops, so this seemed to be a logical try. At first it doesn't seem that hoppy, but then the dry hopness starts to build until - BAM - you realize you were way off, and this is one hoppy beer. And science proves it, with 87 IBUs.

No real special tasting notes here - just straight hops with a piney character. Very dry beer, so I suggest following it up with something a bit more malty or a wheat beer. Or if with a meal, try a sausage, maybe some corn on the cob, to balance the bitterness and dryness. But if you love hops and their bitterness - this beer is for you.

Worth it?

I got this on special for $5.99 a 6-pack, so I think that answers this question. Regularly $6.99 at my liquor store, which is a deal for a beer coming in at 7.5% ABV. Totally worth it, sale or no sale. However, if you don't like loads of hops...well, you should still buy it, then give it to your buddy who does if you don't like it.

The Final Word

Real Ale Lost Gold IPA

 

The Dirt

Once only available on draft in select bars and restaurants, the Lost Gold IPA is now a mainstay in Real Ale's line. I once had this cask-conditioned, and loved it, so I'm very happy to see it bottled.

The Lost Gold pours a golden color, perhaps a little lighter than your average IPA. Its appearance almost resembles a Dogfish IPA. But don't be fooled, it definitely fits an IPA profile. Over the first few sips, the great dry floral and citrus hop notes dominate, and slide away smoothly at the end of the beer. A hint of biscuitiness is there at the very end as well. Further tasting reveals a slight caramel sweetness amongst the hops. A very balanced beer, with medium body and a perfect helping of hops. Very drinkable, but retains the IPA label.

Worth it?

This may be my favorite year-round Real Ale beer. If you're in the mood for a refreshing IPA, or want to get into IPAs, this is a good start. I can't buy this anymore since I'm no longer in Texas, but will certainly order one whenever I return.

The Final Word

Dogfish Head Squall IPA

The Dirt
Drinking a Dogfish beer is always a treat, especially when you've never had it before. However, this guy will seem strangely familiar if you've had the 90-Minute IPA. From what I could deduce, it seemed like a slightly less carbonated and bit sweeter version of the 90-Minute, which I'm told may be because this beer is bottle conditioned versus aging in a tank.

The brew pours a thick, deep gold color that's cloudy from being unfiltered. It has pine and citrus tones up front, followed by that trademark Dogfish IPA sweet middle. It's not really a malty sweet...kind of its own sweet...like what I'd imagine a candied hop would be like if such a thing existed. Both flavors then merge and slowly wash away on the back end. Like I noted, very similar to the 90-Minute, but I'd have to taste them side-by-side to tell the official differences. I could almost say this one may be a little smoother than the 90-Minute.

Worth it?
First and foremost, this is a delicious beer. However, at $10 for a 750mL bottle, it might be better to buy the 90-Minute 4-pack. I need to have this next to a 90-Minute to compare. But in the end, you'll be quite happy with either purchase.

The Final Word