Love Hurts
Sterling Pig Brewery

 

 

 

Named by a Philadelphia area brewery to honor an NFL star, not a rock ballad. It arrived in a clear pint glass after it was filled from a tap. Dirty blond in color, it's opaque, almost murky. There's a very modest off-white head. The smell of starches, oats likely leading, outdo any hops. Oats are also the reason there's some sticky glass lacing. As with many lesser NEIPAs, the hazing blunts the hop bite. Maybe the hops are piney, maybe resinsous. Again, blame oats as they muddle the taste of things to the degree they provide body. Overall, this is very pleasant to drink and tosses enough hoppiness to satisfy fans of New England IPAs. It won't win an MVNEIPA award.