Hoppy Valley IPA
Abandoned Building Brewery

 

From the can (bottled Sept 19), it pours a lightly hazy amber with a a nice white head that leaves lacing and lasts a whilte. In the nose, there is pineapple and citrus scents. In the mouth, it is a pleasant citrusy malt beer - good IPA.

 

I'll start with overall: do yourself a favor and buy a different beer.

Bought on a whim/recommendation from one of the beer guys at Table and Vine, West Springfield, MA. Cutting to the chase, I might just take this back, maybe they can resell the single cans.

L: OK, I'm still getting used to the super cloudy look of these beers. I can handle some haze, but it's the opacity I need to get used to. Almost no head, I prefer some retention shortly after pouring. It helps release aromatics.

S: it didn't have much smell. Kind of earthy, grainy. Hard to describe. There was a hint of fruit and spice. The smell was balanced and wasn't unpleasant, it made me look forward to tasting the beer.

T: I'm not sure if it's because I'm used to beers with a lot of hop flavor, and maybe this style ("wet hopped") is more subdued. I don't have other "wet hopped" beers to compare this to. Or, if I've had them, I wasn't aware of it. However, the taste did not come close to the lead-up offered by the smell. It was subtle, fruity, a hint of spice, then just fell flat. It had more taste than water, but water would have been more refreshing.

Feel: it had some mouthfeel, light carbonation, but that's it.

Overall: I'm considering taking the rest of the cans back.

Pours opaque, light amber into my glass, very little head and barely any lacing. Some big bubbles sticking around inside the beer. Smell is faint orange zest and Grape Nuts, grainy, pleasant enough. Taste opens with a very thin streak of hop bitterness across the palate that doesn't really go anywhere, almost tangy. Nice body, kind of heavy, wish the flavor stood up to it.

 

 

 

 

L: Gold hazy body with bubbly white head that recedes quickly to a white collar. Stringy lacing on the glass.
S: Not much happening in the aroma. Some mild pine notes, a little bit of malt.
T: Very mild flavors, as expected with a wet hop beer. Piny with a tiny hint of citrus.
F: Very full body and soft. Carb is very nice and it helps heighten some needed bitterness.
O: A solid wet hop IPA.

Bought at the Beer Shop in East Longmeadow, MA. Bottled on October 1st, 2015. Beer pours with a clear copper and slight amber tone appearance, patchy lacing on the sides, and good retention. Aromas include a whiff of spiced hops mixed with a citrus-earthy flavor, specifically orange and light lemon. The taste dimension is generally light with a biscuity taste mixed with earthy citrus flavors. Overall, the drink was moderately bittersweet. In terms of mouthfeel, it had crisp carbonation and a medium body. Overall, not a bad IPA and it had a good aroma characteristic.

ABANDONED BUILDING HOPPY VALLEY WET HOPPED IPA 10/29/15

The colorful farm photo label notes it is "wet hopped" with local hops. By definition the hops should be less than a week old and retain most of their oils.

Poured from the 22 oz. bomber into a Samuel Adams IPA glass.

a: Clear amber with a finger thick white head which receded to patchy surface foam and dense lacing.

s: Mild citrus and pine.

t; Vegatal pine up front over a smooth bready malt base. A moderate hop bite provides balance. Dry Finish with lingering bitterness and grassy notes.

m: Smooth medium, very good body and good carbonation tingle.

o: A fine, refreshing wet hop IPA. The vegetal wet hop notes are always tasty, never irritating.

 

Had on draft at Chilifest in Sunderland.
A - Murky, clouded, spring straw colored. Lite carbonation supported a thin cap.
S - Earthy, orange notes, A touch of deciduous all blend nicely.
T - Interesting, lite citrus element and graininess are the core of this offering.
M - Medium bodied, low carbonation, a bit oily but not offensive in any way.
O - Initially the haze was a concern for me, protein, or chill was a bit off putting, the
flavors and overall body were fine, Certainly will try this again.
Cheers