Hopbloem
Ithaca Beer Company

 

 

 

12oz brown bottle from the brewery.

Crystal clear deep golden color, decent lacing. Smells of dank hop resin, medicinal herbs, yeast and tropical fruit. Fruity palate with an oily grassy hops throughout, orange pith and passion fruit in the middle. A whole lot of hop flavor, it goes deep into this tasty fruity Belgian ale though the bitterness lets the beer keep that Belgian tone.

Very well done, a real testament to the Belgian IPA style.

Poured from a 12oz. bottle into a Portsmouth brewing tulip glass.

The color is a very hazy bright orange with yellowish highlights. There is a finger of foamy white head that stayed briefly then left leaving a thin white line of webbing on the glass.

The smell is a bit sugary with a slight aroma of Belgian candy sugar. There is a nice malt aroma here that has some hints of dry bread. Also in the nose is slight white grape aroma that is off in the distance. There is a touch of berry aroma here too but I’m unable to place it.

The taste is has a smooth pine flavor that comes out and just lays down a carpet of hops on the tongue. There is a juicy fruit gum flavor here that is fantastic. There is sweetness but also a small bitterness that remains present in the background. Visited by some white grape, a slight cherry flavor, and a little tangerine flavor gets the taste buds rolling then are directed by bitter slightly pine borders.

The feel of this beer is smooth with a medium body that is highly drinkable and enjoyable. A silky feel just seems to glide down and seems to go fast.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On-tap 10/7/2014 at Doherty’s Ale House in Warwick, RI, served in a snifter glass.

A: The beer is a light gold color, with a large dense off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma is faint but contains floral hops, some Belgian yeast, caramelized malts and some citrus.

T: The taste starts out sweet with flavors of citrus and caramel. Then some tartness and breadiness comes in from wild Belgian yeast. The hops presence is strong but not over-powering and the malt character is hearty but not too heavy creating a good balance. The after-taste is slightly sweet and slightly hoppy.

M: Crisp and smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

O: Tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, good kick, good representation of style, this is a solid beer to drink for a while.

 

 

 

Pours golden yellow. 3 inch fluffy white head providing substantial lacing. Very piny aroma. Medium body slightly oily in texture. Hop forward flavor profile that settles nicely. Mild Belgian presence presides with very a sneaky hint of alcohol present. Overall a very good Representation of the style and definitely an offering I will revisit.