Humala Summer IPA
Humala Brewing Co.

 

 

Hazy yellow-tinged amber with steady, lumpy, sandy, fine head.
Tinny grain and sour caramel on the nose.
Wheat cracker, toffee and peaches with only mild tangerine and grass hops.
Orange rind finish and bitter leafy linger. Light to medium, some cling, round.

I don’t get it – why so afraid to use hops? Too malty and a bit cloying, even though it says “lots of hops” right on the label. There is some bitterness and hints of citrus, but with US-style branding (in English!) this is nothing approaching even an APA. Shouldn’t be called “summer” anything.

Edit: OK, little taste with some olives and chips reveals all sorts of lemon peel, lemongrass and almost Lagunitas-like tangerine hops notes, like this is a natural match. And it makes sense that sweet caramel would pair with salty cuisine. So the question is: Do Catalans ever have beer without food? Is this beer brewed with the local drinking culture in mind?
+.5% to Taste and Overall, anyway.