First Lager
Hopewell Brewing Co.

Had this on tap at Orange and Brew. This was a nice lager. It had a nice clear look and had that crisp clean feel to it. A nice light hop smell to it. The taste balanced the yeast,malt and hops very nicely. Maybe a touch more sweetness than a typical lager but it was good.

 

 

 

 

 

There is good biterness, for example, a strong citrusy well hopped IPA, just one of many examples, and there is bad biterness, such as the taste of Xanax. Unfortunately, this beer literally tasted like a Xanax, very bitter and no taste of hops. This is a cool brewery but this beer needs work.

 

 

I tried this at the brewery. It poured a clear golden with white head that left a nice lace. The scent had a touch of toast. The taste was nicely balanced an easy to drink. The mouthfeel with lighter in body with good carbonation. Overall its a solid offering.

 

 

 

 

 

This is a well put together lager. Hopewell definitely nailed what they were looking for here - a flagship to start out with for a new brewery that is focused on lagers. Looks clean and inviting, as far as lagers go. Faint hop profile on the nose. The overwhelming sense I got was that this is a 'crisp' beer, refreshing and satisfying. No off tastes or sweetness here, and balance with the yeasts. Good carbonation. A very solid early offering and one that I think I will go to quite often, especially in summer.

Draft a the brewery. Very solid first impression with this one.
Pale gold, slight haze, frothy head with sticky lacing around the edges.
Grassy hop aroma, clean yeast, crackery Pilsner malt.
Taste is similar with a big grassy noble hop character, crackery pils malt, light yeastiness.
Smooth creamy feel, dry aftertaste. Feels a bit like a Zwickel even.
Very drinkable with zero flaws, refined and characterful.
Easily the best of the starting lineup, a great staple beer I hope to drink year-round.