Hop Tub
Blue Mountain Brewery

 

On tap (Cascade):
Body maintains a very dull burnt orange color. The fuzzy body rises to a fluffy off-white head. A thick collar sustains, while a thin cap comes and goes based on agitation levels. Lace is in spots and streams.

Nose is the low point, light though it is a mix of hearty cracker, hints of grain, light citrus (tangerine to ruby grapefruit), grapefruit pith, and a spruce-like evergreen scent.

Taste starts with a solid grainy and fairly dry malt opening - not unlike what an unsalted triscuit might taste like. The middle notes bring it to a classic old school APA. The flavors parallel to citrus notes from the nose at this point, with a sneaky candied citrus aspect. Then this medium bodied, leaning lightly carbonated brew starts down the bitter path. Piney in both a woodsy and green needle sense, the bitterness comes on but stays restrained so as to not kill my palate.

This beer seems to embody what I generally expect from Cascade hops. It fits into a classic American IPA, and while to me clearly in that category, it’s nicely balanced with the right flavors, bitterness, and dryness.

Pours a cloudy orange color with about a finger of white head that slowly fades into some nice lacing. Smell is solid, primarily citrus notes. Taste is mostly grapefruit, nice balance with the hops, a little bitterness. Medium body and carbonation, creamy feel. It's nothing special, but it is a solid IPA, tasty, and fun in that this is one of the brews made from the hops picked during the community hop harvest.

Part of a flight of 10 at the brewery. Pours a pale straw color, with a thin white head. Initial impression is a fairly light (considering the quantity of hops used) resinous hops. Mouthfeel and carbonation are medium. Finish is clean and dry. Refreshing but not an APA standout.

9-13-16 - On tap at Afton, VA brewery. Served in a pint glass. Straw color with slight head. Nice lacing on glass. Very crisp and refreshing! Menu notes: "ABV 7.1%. IBU: 45. Wet Hop Ale. Our annual community harvest wet hop ale. 311 pounds of Cascade hops."