The Juggerhop
Masthead Brewing Co.

 

 

 

 

 

An anniversary regular.

 

 

 

 

16 ounce can, canned on 01/21/19, thanks to my buddy Jon for this one! Served in a tulip, the beer pours a mostly clear gold color with about an inch or so off-white head that stuck around for a long time. There's also a good amount of lacing. I like the aroma, the brew smells like honey, citrusy (pink grapefruit, tropical fruit, orange peel) hops, herbal hops and some bready malt. Taste is similar to the aroma, with tropical fruit, pineapple, citrus peel, grapefruit, caramel malt, herbal hop and bready malt flavors. There's also a slight bitter finish. Mouthfeel/body is full, it's creamy and a bit coating with a good amount of carbonation. I thought this was good, really glad I got to try it!

Clear sparkling yellow-gold with a moderate white head fading to a chunky collar leaving some wavy lace.

Smell is spicy cannabic dankness with a hint of ruggy funk, as well as scorched orange, lemon and grapefruit zests.

Not that we needed a competitor in this area, but this is commendably Juju-like. An ABV that might otherwise turn into a sharp, fusile booze with lesser brewers doesn't here. This exhibits a really nice citrus liqueur and pine with light resinous spicy dankness.

A crisp, tingly effervescence lifts the medium body into a citrus craft cocktail, with a bold yet subdued heat that finishes semi-dry and cleanly numbing.

 

Appearance: Pours a clear amber color with a two finger head; shards of lacing appear

Smell: Caramel, rotting pineapple, and pine, with an herbal edge

Taste: Assertive herbal bitterness dominates the flavor profile from start to finish, with caramel sweetness building the backbone underneath; very piney with a hint of the rotting pineapple

Mouthfeel: Full bodied with moderate carbonation and considerable warmth in the gullet

Overall: This beer reminds me of those IPAs we saw a few years back when there seemed to be a competition to see who could brew the bitterest, highest IBU beer possible and if you didn't like it then you were not worthy; well, given the way IPAs have evolved since than I have to say I am glad those days are behind us

Thanks, N-Gogol, for the opportunity

 

 

 

 

Canned on 1/28/18. 16oz can poured into a tulip. Pours a burnt golden, almost amber, with a subtle haze; small off-white head that falls leaving nice retention and lacing. The aromas have hints of pineapple, peach and mango. Some caramel malts. The flavors are bold, but become balanced the more you get into it. More pineapple leading the way along with some more peach and mango. More sticky caramel. Some pine resin. Strong malt backbone with a solid bitterness and mild spiciness. Mild warmth in the finish, but the alcohol is still well hidden. Mouthfeel is full-bodied with slick moderate to low carbonation. It's smooth and dangerously drinkable.

This is a nice "Triple IPA". It's bold and bittersweet. Once again, it's dangerously drinkable. Another nice use of hops by Masthead. It's enjoyable and fun to drink. Good stuff. Definitely worth checking out if you come across it.

I'm definitely a fan of this brewer (and of brewers in general), so I wear rose ski colored goggles. This huge AIPA reinforces this bias!

This five day old sample pours mostly clear, deep yellow with just a bit of fizz. The aroma is extremely funky and hoppy. You know you have something huge coming from the outstanding smell. The aroma strengthens as it warms.

The taste follows after the smell with malty, bitterness, bombing your senses with one of the biggest of IPA hop bombs. It is over-infused, and that is a win. The aftertaste is similarly thick and bitter on the tongue. Quite an achievement.

As I drink I find myself succumbing to an alcoholic haze, and raising my ratings! It totally works for me, but it will be a tough act to follow. I wish I had something appropriate. Oh, wait, I have a Masthead Tiramisu Underverse in the fridge (not to mention an Eviltwin Bozo Beer). I'll be OK. The Underverse stout base is always great. Juggerhop proves that they can do the same with AIPAs. Maybe later on those other brews. I need time to absorb this one.

Highly recommended, as is anything else from Masthead.