Humulus Ridiculus
Überbrew

 

i like the name a whole lot more than the beer here. my least favorite beer at an otherwise phenomenal experience at uberbrew in downtown billings. this place is awesome, loosely german, but this imperial ipa is a let down. clear and brassy it looks the part. the nose though reeks of green peppers, vegetal and spicy, capsicum heavy, just weird. the taste doesnt have any pepper to it, but it has a real weird take on hops. sweet and fruity, lacking bitterness almost entirely. its certainly not what we are used to in the style. while i enjoy the use of hops here, i think there is a lot to be desired. its an attempt to be neither classic nor new wave west coast, and although that mission is accomplished, the middle ground it falls into is not a place i want to really drink. a short glass was plenty. abv is well hidden and the lack of bitterness is kind of cool, but it seems more like an ill conceived strong ale rather than a big ipa. skip this one, because all the other beers at uber are really tasty.

 

 

 

Appearance- Orange copper, finger of eggshell head

Smell- citrus particularly grapefruit, cascade and centennials?, light malt

Taste- light malt sweetness on tip and middle when hop balance comes later with a finish of alcohol warmth

Mouthfeel- medium/full bodied with noticeable presence of hop oils

Overall- solid IIPA, full flavored but not too extreme