Hop Static, Ch. 1: Eureka, Comet, Idaho 7
West Sixth Brewing Company

 

Surprisingly delicious IPA from a brewery that's new to me. Canned date 2/20/20 so this was quite fresh. Looked incredible, darker golden yellow color with some fluffy, creamy white head and glorious sheets and rings of lingering lacing that clung to the glass. Beautiful. Smells of nice ripe grapefruit, mango, pineapple, tangerine and guava. Some nice malt, creamy vanilla, bread, lighter floral and herbal hops. A touch of dankness. Taste follows the nose, great balance between the small bitter hit of hoppiness and sweeter malt backbone. Smooth, sticky, mild mouthfeel, great carbonation. Really enjoyable and I'll definitely look for other beers from this brewery.

 

 

 

 

Just in time for National IPA Day, the West Sixth brewers celebrate the occasion with a hop dominant ale with the generous taste of Eureka, Comet and Idaho 7 hops for a fruity, spicy and herbal taste that's careful not to leave any of the tastebuds out.

This Hop Static version pours a standard golden amber hue and cast in a hop heavy haze. As a frothy crown rises, its scent is fruity with tropical and citrus along with a peppery, vegetal, green spice. A gentle sweetness graces the tongue with a mellow maltiness of caramel, honey and granola.

But the middle palate brings a bold hop punch once the sweetness begins to retreat. Nearly candied in its fruitiness, orange, apricot and nectarine washes the tastebuds before the beer quickly trends bitter, herbal and spice. Bold green flavors of parsley and arugula pop from the lupulin and grip the late palate with a sprucy, grassy, lemon pepper laced bitterness.

Medium bodied and trending dry, the botanical alcohols and earthy bitterness join forces to ensure a crisp and refreshing finish that's off-clean. A long and bitter aftertaste easily outlasts anything candied or sweet about the malts. This Hop Static is a welcomed throwback to an IPA philosophy when bitterness and dryness was paramount, but doing so with newer, more exciting hop varieties.