Hoof Hearted

Really liked the latest iterations of Musk and Blabe. Hopefully they can nail it down to that and keep them consistent.

 

If anyone in the Kent area is looking for a Hoof fix without the long drive, Taco Tantos gets kegs now. Tickling the Ivories on tap currently.

 

Wow this cool news, wonder what their connection is

 

I appreciate a good cup of coffee as much as the next person, didn't enjoy what the brewpub had to offer. If people come back with rave reviews on the coffee beans, I'll gladly try it again. For the record, it was a fantastic idea for Hoof to make it available on Sunday. More variety (beer or merchandise) only enhances the brewery release experience.

 

They got an account with Hoof. One of the owners goes to releases and is friendly with the Hoof guys.

 

Blabe leftover available for purchase next Sunday. First come first served per Instagram.

 

I doubt it'll be a problem to score some Blabe, given how few free tickets have been "sold". Does anyone have strong opinions on Sidepipin'? HH has been hitting some older brews out of the park lately and likely have done some tinkering.

 

FYI- saw a post in a Columbus Beer Facebook group about "Dancin' in the Ruins"... Probably extra sugar lying around for leftover yeast to eat. Put your cans in the fridge to be safe.




Also, the brewpub has a dual-hopped "Did We Just Become Best Friends". I'm hoping this becomes like the EWS Series.

 

Even though I didn't need any further validation for my theory that a lot of their beers are not done fermenting, this warms my cockles. This is one that finished up in the can and blew. Maybe they'll issue a recall. Samsung did when their phones went pop.

I'm currently at Hoof, drinking " Best Friends" its total dry hopped wort too.

 

I might need to reply again to prove I'm not a blind hater. Saizzurp with Guava and Passion fruit is pretty nice and We'll Do It Live is plenty drinkable, as always.

 

I had this same feeling drinking blabe and musk reminded me of homebrew I rushed to drink they were fine no bottle bombs but could tell the yeast was still active somewhat I'vr had a few cans already letting the other cans sit a few weeks to see how they are

 

Leaving the yeast in suspension in the beer instead of filtering it out is kinda part of the whole "hazy hop bomb" thing that's popular right now.

I mean, that and using oats/wheat and not doing a protein rest on it. But still...

 

Funny is I find some Hoof beers more aromatic and flavorful than many big NE brews, yet Hoof sometimes has more clarity. Now that I've had a couple Focal Bangers, which have been completely gloppy and chunky out of the can (I know, you're not supposed to but I think the reason for them requesting to drink out of the can is pretty obvious now), I'm even more impressed with what Hoof is doing. Focal looks like someone dropped a whole glob of bread dough in it, but Hoof beers are actually quite beautiful. I've also not been as impressed with the taste and aroma of Focal as the hype in my mind set me up for.

 

I've had some good Hoof beers and some so so. And they are supposed to be the same beer! When I get Blabe at different cannings and they look like and taste completely different that's a big problem. Consistency is the biggest issue I have for these guys. I won't be seeking out any more Hoof until they figure that out.

Think about it. Would any other brewery out there not get shit for that? Head Hunter different every time? The Fat Heads honks out there would flip out! I don't get why Hoof honks are fine with this.

I really want to like them on your level. I just can't with such inconsistency.

 

lol I'm not fine with the consistency issues, but I don't not like their beer because of it.

I think they make some of the best IPAs I've ever tasted, and some of their Belgian-style beers are pretty exceptional too. I've done side by sides with both styles with some other stellar or vaunted examples by other breweries and Hoof has won a lot of the time for me.

Consistency is definitely an issue but I personally don't want them worrying about batch perfection and distracting them from doing what they're already doing, which is making some really killer brews. They work not only with a ton of hops, but are experimenting with yeasts in ways many breweries are not. I know they're not exactly doing wild ales, but some brewers actually prefer you review each batch of a beer differently from the next.

I've gone back to my reviews a few times and noted differences in appearance, but flavors and aromas usually hit the same notes batch to batch, although I do still agree with you and think they are still dialing things in.

 

Its a great point - interesting how people give them a break. I think its because people are still excited that we have a brewery in Ohio that is capable of making beers that compete with the NE hops that are all the rage now - which is proven by the trade value that hoof beers hold nationally. There isnt a great alternative, in other words. If headhunter was wildly inconsistent, I could find "suitable" alternatives from other breweries. When talking about a good batch of Hoof, there isnt much else available locally that has the same qualities.

 

Trade value does not scale evenly with quality of product. Hoof Hearted is a perfect example of this. Trade value hinges more on rarity and word of mouth. If the beers were really that great why would you want to send it away to someone?

 

I really liked the last Musk and Blabe, and I'm happy that I got some of both but at one point the whole "This batch is great!" needs to stop. While that phrase is a good thing for the beer you paid for and you have in hand, it still reeks inconsistency. If you're "experimenting" then change the name. Call it pilot #1, #2 #3 or whatever because at the end it's NOT the same product you're advertising. Otherwise you're tricking your customer. And it's not about ingredients, it's about the end product. I remember somewhere in these forums people were bitching about a brewery changing ingredients without them changing the name of making a note of the label. The brewer came in and chimed in on the purpose of brewing a brand product being to reach consistency regardless of the ingredients used. If at the end you get the same flavor,look, and feel profile ... does it matter how they made it? Hoof is still far away from this point.

 

Why does anybody trade Trillium?! - they want to try something different. I agree with you though, trade value often does not match quality.

 

Are you really getting that drastic of variation though? Have you reviewed each beer then gone back and re-read your review while having the new batch?

Ultimately they're dealing with living organisms, and yes while making a traditional IPA is pretty easy to do consistently, I think there is something to be said for the less-traditional IPA they are making at Hoof and the challenges that presents. They may not be the precise scientists that the folks at Trillium are, as we've seen with how Konkey Dong was not quite as phenomenal this time compared to last, but they're getting there.

I know this is a little off topic but it might provide some insight to see and hear some brewers like Jeffrey Stuffings speak about batch variation and the brewing process.