I'm working through my first 6er. I really like it. Very bitter this year, hops are balanced between earthy and citrus. Malt is quite forward, I get an almost chocolate flavor from the malts which was unexpected. Heavier than I remember it being, but solid for the ABV. Drinking this along with SN Hop Hunter has been fun since they're very different beers despite heavy hopping for each.
I look forward to this seasonal but I've never noticed any big variation from year to year.* I'm digging it this year as much as ever. *I never tried the first year's iteration but every year since I've heard tell of grievous decline. Go figure.
There's been some variation in the hops from year to year. In 2012 they switched it up, and it was back to the 2011 recipe in 2013. http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/mayflower-spring-hop-eta.1090/#post-17969 http://mayflowerbrewing.com/blog/?p=522
Yeah, I just don't remember any given year's version clearly enough to allow for comparison when I drink the next year's version. It's still got the earthy hoppiness and caramel finish that I expect.
interesting. i'd take "Cascade, Columbus, Zythos and Super Styrian Aurora" over "Cascade, Centennial, Citra and Sorachi" any time.
I thought the first year was good. The second had a change with hops but it tasted like a completely different beer - not in a good way. Then I remember it was completely flat and buttery the next year. I stopped buying it after that. Maybe you've been lucky?
It's very fresh and a reasonably priced 6 pack. I say give it a shot. I'm not getting buttery or off flavors. Just caramel/chocolate malt and solid earthy hops and bitterness.
I'll echo the sentiments that it was stellar in year one, then became inconsistent. A few years ago I had it on cask at Russell House Tavern, and it was sublime. I'm not sure what year that was. I had a bottle two weeks ago that was very hoppy, bitter, not tropical. Was quite enjoyable, I'd recommend this year's as well. Disclaimer: My bottle was about a week old, so I have no idea if that sharp hop bitterness was due to how fresh it was, or this year's batch in general. And obviously I can't speak yet to how it holds up. Try it out and let us know!
I saw this thread and figured I would chime in with our perspective. Other than 2012, when we couldn't get the Citra or Sorachi hops that we originally used for the beer when we first produced it in 2011, the recipe and brewing process have been the same for Spring Hop every year. The malt base has always been the same, and the hops include the original Nugget, Cascade, Centennial, Citra and Sorachi. We hope you enjoy this year's release and appreciate any feedback. Cheers, Drew
