Hops Need Friends
Three Weavers Brewing Company

Type: 16-oz. can
Reviewed as: American IPA
Glass: Melvin 14-oz. Spiegelau IPA glass
Price: $3.39
From: Windmill Farms in Del Cerro (San Diego), Calif.
Purchased: June 11, 2021
Consumed: June 12, 2021
Misc.: Canned on April 20, 2021 at 12:34 p.m. PT

Went to Windmill Farms to grab some stuff for Chad and $113 later I had way too much beer. Got one of these for me and one for Chad as kind of a gag as he says a lot that “Galaxy needs friends.” Their website called this “Hops Need Friends is a quintessential West Coast IPA, from its aggressive yet balanced bitterness to its notes of bright grapefruit and lemon rind. Brewed by us for you, because right now we all need a little extra friendship.”

Poured a medium-yellow clear color with 2-to-3 fingers of frothy off-white head. Plenty of bubbles coming up from the bottom and sides of the glass at different speeds. Excellent spotty lacing. Outstanding retention. (Sight - 4.25)

Smelled pretty damn good for a West Coast IPA. Got mango, pineapple, orange creamsicle, mixed berry, floral, pine and bubblegum. No mention of hops, ironically, that I could see but Mosaic has to be there for sure. (Smell - 4.00)

Tasted even better than the nose. Mosaic for sure, right from the beginning. Also mango, mixed berry, floral, dank pine, tangerine rind, guava, bubblegum, orange blossom and dry grass. (Taste - 4.25)

Medium body. Creamy texture. Average carbonation. Long, smooth finish. (Feel - 4.75)

Wow. This was a surprise. Such a good beer. I might be picking up some more of this later on. (Overall - 4.25)

4.24 | 94 | A-

Upon cracking this can open and pouring there is a pretty bold aroma of fruit (mostly grapefruit with a lesser hint of tropical fruits) and hops. Pours a very clear orange/light amber with no haze. Less than a finger of head that is moderately long lasting. leaves some lacing. Pretty hoppy taste that complements the fruity nature. Overall a pretty nice WCIPA , especially if you want something a little less hoppy than some of the more extreme examples of the type.

 

On-draught @ the brewery:

Crisp. Minerally. Lighter bodied than many IPAs. Hop profile is underwhelming.

C+ / ABOVE AVERAGE

Decent. This is an improvement over Expatriate. If you're looking for a bit more dank, citrus or whatever your go-to taste for an IPA is, you won't find it here. Smooth and hoppy and a bit of pine and citrus.