Hammer And Ale
Two Ton Brewing

 

Deep head, close to three fingers of off-white foam, nice retention without much surface dimpling, broad sheet of lacing than slowly breaks into streaks. Brownish amber colored liquid, gauzy but remains translucent and allows you to see randomly scattered bubbles laze upwards. Sappy nose of pine, honey, cracked pepper and a touch of damp herbaceousness, satisfactory layering of mango, nectarine, guava fruit, not much lift to it, notable more for its textural fullness than array of scents. Full-bodied unto heavy, a lot sweeter than suggested by the nose. Molasses and honey predominate with suggestion of mint and spiced orange peel. Ripe papaya, mango, peach fruit, lacks the tart pineapple component. Intensity of flavors lastly fully through the finish. Sort of monochrome, again appreciate the waves of flavors. But at sixteen ounces it’s a one and done brew, tires out the palate. (No canning date, consumed on same day of brewery purchase).

 

 

 

I had a 4oz taster at the brewery yesterday. Was cool to try the beer right out of the tank before they kegged it for on tap consumption. Not attempting a full review here but rather cursory notes and an overall comment that the beer was pretty good

This was excellent and dangerously drinkable at 9.1%. Sweet candy like hop profile and bready sweetness. Juicy fruit gum. The flavor profile was also similar.

 

On draught at the brewery. It pours a cloudy amber color with a thin, milk-white head and lacing. The subdued nose features grapefruit rind, pine needles, light malt, and floral hops. The taste opens with a blast of tart grapefruit, bitter lemon, and resinous pine. As the glass warms, the malt becomes more apparent and adds sweetness. The complex bill of Nugget, Chinook, Galena, Simcoe, and Apollo hops is flavorful and provides a decidedly bitter finish and after taste. This ale is fairly creamy with a low level of carbonation, and the 9.1% ABV gives it a nice pop. Overall, this is a dank, flavorful DIPA. It could use some more carbonation but Two Ton has a lot to build on. I'll try Hammer and Ale again soon. Updated 10/24/2019. This canned batch is significantly better. The grapefruit is enhanced and I'm also tasting pineapple. The balance of fruit, malt, and hop bitterness has improved. This is now a very tasty ale and I've raised my rating.

 

 

 

 

APPEARANCE - Light, hazy, no head.

AROMA/SCENT - Hops, malts, fruit, floral.

TASTE - Hops, bitter, coffee, clove, pine.

MOUTHFEEL/PALATE/TEXTURE - Lingering, astringent.

VALUE - $6.50 bomber, cheap.

OVERALL/DRINKABILITY - Bitter, lingering, an OK beer at best.