Hop Static, Ch. 9: Talus, Mosaic, Simcoe, Chinook
West Sixth Brewing Company

 

 

Getting back to American hop basics, West Sixth embraces the uniqueness and history of Pacific Northwest hops and their grapefruit and pine flavors that set the stage for all things hops in the U.S.

Built on the backs of Chinook, Simcoe, Talus and Mosaic hops, Hop Static Ch. 9 pours with a medium amber glow, pale in its haze and topped off with a creamy ivory froth. With the premiere scent of citrus, spruce and peppery grasses flowing across the nose, the taste opens with a classic toasty, nutty, caramel and honey sweetness, seeming granola-like in character.

A quick development of hops overshadows the malt sweetness as that collection of hops tease the middle palate with pink grapefruit, orange and lime. Hints of passionfruit and kiwi add a sense of something new even before its piney bitterness is accompanied with black tea, peppery herbs and a waft of hemp to close.

Medium bodied and finishing decidedly bitter, the ale strives for a nearly west-coast dryness before trailing into an after palate of tea, pepper, resins and citrus peel.