Hops Deep
UTOG Brewing Company

Expecting a fresh hop taste, not here. This one is bitter and malty. They have some work to do still.

their flagship ipa, super fresh and well refined tasting from the can at the brewery. it looks more old school than it tastes, with a caramel sort of color to it, looks malty, but it has a high white head, immaculate clarity, and bright shine, looks pretty in the glass. aroma here has a lot of pine needle, juniper, bitter orange peel, and weed resin, very northwestern to me, maybe simcoe driving it, but im not sure what the hops are, dont think they specify either. there is a nice oily slickness to the feel from the hops, some sturdy grain body but its not malty in the general sense, just balanced and right, a touch of sweetness through it, which i dont mind in this context because the hops are also quite bitter so its needed. the grain has a softly toasted thing, but it doesnt impinge on the hops at all it doesnt seem. smooth to drink with some pleasant hop linger, lots of pine to this, a soft spiciness too, maybe columbus or cascade also in the mix. faint pineapple as it warms up too, but this isnt tropical really at all. a good four season ipa, nice to see a clear one these days too. well done.