Hopgoblin American IPA
Flatrock Brewing Company

 

 

 

 

Appearance: This IPA pours a hazy dark orange color and is topped by 3/8” of white head that turns into a thin layer rather quickly.
Smell: A quick punch of grass and pine hops hit my nose with every smell. M alt aromas are in the background of the brew Mmmmm.
Taste: The taste of HopGoblin is a well done by this little brewery hoppy and yet easy to drink, delicious.
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied for an IPA goes down easy yet good flavor retention.

 

Hopgoblin is hopped with Simcoe, Chinook, Columbus, Cascade, Citra and Amarillo Hops. Interestingly, Flatrock's DIPA is also called Hopgoblin, the only distinction being the designation "IPA" or Double IPA." It's essentially an identical recipe, doubled.

It's a clean-looking, clear, bright dark gold sort of color. On top rests a yellow-tinted head about one finger tall. Retention is good, and it sits frothy and creamy for the session, falling very slowly and leaving a mix of spotting and patching as it does.
The smell and taste, matching pretty much in every way, offer up lots of citrus, and this has a sweeter edge for an IPA without compromising the bitterness. It's not bitingly hoppy, but it follows the brewer's wish to be a less harsh, more "sessionable" IPA, and it hits the mark. The complexity and depth is all here. Hopheads who believe in hop destruction and don't care for balance may be disappointed. As a lover of hops, depth and balance, as well as complexity, I'm perfectly happy with this beer. There's plenty of pine, lots of flora, and a little hint of mint in the finish to complement the citrus. In mentioning balance, it's important to note that the malts do not overshadow the hops, nor are they stronger. This is well crafted.
The body is about medium with a nice smoothness along with the crisp bite.