Rock Hop
Mother Earth Brew Co.

more innovation than ever lately at mother earth, great to see as it was getting a little tired over there for awhile. this is a new double ipa, rather basic, but strong, fresh, and flavorful when i had it on tap at their downtown spot. rich honey colored beer with nice clarity, an average white head in the globe, and a little sticky leggy looking texture to it. the smell and taste run parallel, some sweet lightly toasted grain supporting piney hops with a high oil presence in this, a little old school in that its a bit malty and its very bitter, great balance in the traditional sense, but its also a little samey to me, less interesting on the hop side than i have gotten used to from these guys with their project x series, and pretty exposed on the alcohol, this is warm even when the beer is cold. some pine, pink grapefruit, dried grass from under the mower, and just a little danky character, pleasant and fresh and good, just nothing new here on the hop side at all. the ferment is pretty clean, the alcohol isnt harsh its just strong, and the residual sweetness and body from the grain is welcome in this mix. not amazing, but good to have something new here and this is a style i trust these guys to do well every single time. two or three would be trouble...