Chicagoland NE IPAs (2018)

No push backs. Everything is on schedule at this point. Beer is in the tank. Second dry hop addition is happening tomorrow. (psst - all my beers are "double dry hopped")

 

Thanks for confirming. That sounds like what I thought, but I was going crazy trying to search for where I thought I'd originally seen it.

 

Was about to ask for some glassware bud! I'll miss that release Bc in out of town- damn!

 

Went into Binny's on Grand yesterday to pick up some Beer Hates Astronauts and was hoping to grab more of that Hubbard's Cave V5 but, it's all gone!!! That was quick. Wish I had bought two bottles originally instead of one!
I'm insanely hyped for Forbidden Root cans and glassware.

 

Has anyone had any of Dry Hop's NE stuff? Was walking past yesterday and was surprised to see that they had what looked to be at least 1-2 NE offerings. Surprised since I never see them discussed here. I've actually never had any of Dry Hop's beers.

 

Labeling a beer as NE IPA and not expecting customers to compare it to Tree House, which is the definitive NE IPA, seems a bit naive imo. If it wasn't the direction they were going with, why label it as such in the first place?

 

I think awhile back in this thread people reported trying Dry Hop's first NE style attempt, which was called One Step Beyond or something like that? Seemed people thought it was average at the time. Dry Hop also did a NE style tap take over around that time awhile back with beers from Forbidden Root, Hailstorm, Hubbard's Cave, etc. on tap.
Haven't seen anything about the newer stuff or tried them though. However, aren't they and Corridor run by the same people? Maybe Roger coming on board to Corridor has also spread some NE brewing knowledge to Dry Hop as well? I don't know. Just speculating. Maybe they are run as completely different "shops" so to speak.

 

Everything I have had from DryHop as been below average to average. Nothing terrible but there are alot of Chicago breweries really bringing it right now. They are kida like revolution for me. The beer is fine but nothing I would seek out compared to all of the other options. I will say though that the food was very good for a brew pub and I would go back to eat. I just wouldnt make the trip for the beer only.

 

FWIW, I tried the most recent batch of HB Galaxy Bowl, and def felt I got the "banana" taste again. Not a bad beer but felt it wasn't up to the OG

 

The inclusion of the Nelson hops has my ears perked up for that release.

 

Never thought I'd hear someone say Dry Hop is kinda like Revolution.

 

Great news about the cans. Which one is next? I could go for some Snooze Juice cans.

 

Will cans be brewery only I assume?

 

Beer update:

Snooze Juice - Pale Ale (Grungeist, Citra, Mosaic) 5.3%

Aroma:
Boom. Seriously huge orange/citrus.

Mouthfeel:
Dialed back the chloride a bit on this batch. Result is a brighter and more punchy foundation for the hops. No worries as it's still lightyears away from the typical midwestern PA water chemistry. I'm realizing that I prefer the PA's to be not quite as "soft" as the IPAs/DIPAs. The brightness gives them a bit of personality and quenches my thirst. Ideal for a beer that is meant to have multiples of, imo.

Flavor/balance:
Orange! This is going to sound weird...and the ttb would strike me down for saying this...but it tastes like it's good for you. Bitterness is moderate but assertive. Works well with the orange juice/citrus flavors. Almost comes off as tartness. Again, makes me want more. I've had a couple commercial examples of these that just floated away from my tongue and left me wanting more of an experience. Pretty happy with where this landed.

This batch of Snooze Juice is the best to date and is being transferred today. Will be tapped tomorrow by the time we open.

Recipe is very close to complete. This WILL be canned in the future.


Other notes:

I found a keg of 2 month old Snooze Juice in the cooler and tapped it Monday (it already kicked). I tried it head to head against a very well known/respected Pale Ale (non-NE) from a great local brewery (that was 1 month old). I'm very happy to report that Snooze surpassed it in every way. Aroma was massive in comparison. Blind feedback was that Snooze was "fresh" and "bright". Other beer was "dull" and "slightly oxidized". So, yeah, all this worry that NEPAs turn to shit after a couple weeks is malarky (assuming you have good process).

 

Some cases are hitting disto! While we wait for our canning "line" to get installed we are doing mobile canning. The minimums are such that I will have to send cases to market (you guys have been great at buying the beer...but I'm not up to Mikerphone line status yet )

Legally, I can't tell you where to buy these cans until I have a COMPLETE list of retailers...so I will hold off until we have that info. I will say that the usual suspects should be getting drops of it shortly after the release day.