Equilibrium Brewery

I will ask here instead of the HV thread in order to reduce the flaming, but what is the fascination with a sour IPA? I'm sorry, it just doesn't sound good at all for me (and I know I am not alone). Dry hopped sours are ok, but to me does not really make them more appealing, and I would want that far less often than just a regular sour or farmhouse. If someone gave me a can of HV I am sure I would drink it and maybe even enjoy it, but no way in hell do I think I would ever be convinced to wait in line for any much less want more than a can or two in my fridge.

Choosing between waiting for perfectly crafted IPAs at Equilibrium or some smoothish sour IPA doesn't seem like much of a choice.

 

I would try to reserve judgement until you try them. I was similarly skeptical when I first heard about them. In fact, at my first Hudson release, I bought only one 4-pack of the sour IPA on offer, which was accompanying the DDH IPA that I was there for.

It’s very difficult to describe what is so appealing about the HV sour IPAs (which are certainly distinct from other takes on the style from the Veil, etc.), but I’ll give it a go...

First, despite their name, they really aren’t very sour. “Tart” is the descriptor that often comes to mind when I taste them, but they really don’t venture into pucker-worthy territory, nor do they display any “wild” or funky characteristics. The lacto-imparted acidity often works very well to accent elements of the base beers—which seem to be very heavily hopped NE IPAs using hops like Citra, Galaxy, Mosaic, and El Dorado that on their own possess aromas and flavors of naturally acidic and tart fruits (think: grapefruit, passionfruit, berries)—without overpowering them. And the adjuncts, which have included the aforementioned fruits, vanilla beans, and lactose sugar, bring a very nostalgia-inducing candy-like element to the sweet tart fruitiness of the hops + lacto. Overall, it all comes together to taste somewhere between fresh squeezed fruit juice, a lightly tart candy (think: Smarties, Peach Rings, Fun Dip), and a well made DDH IPA.

With all of those adjectives and descriptors in there, it’s important to note that the aspect of these beers that I enjoy most is their balance and approachability. I find that many new NE-style IPAs are foregoing balance (and, hence, drinkability/approachability) for the sake of impact. Heavy hopping rates result in overwhelming bitterness, which must be counterbalanced by a ton of residual sugar. Not many breweries strike that bitter vs. sweet balance well, but HVB’s sour IPAs really nail it for me. The bitterness, sweetness, and, perhaps most importantly, acidity of these beers all seems to be in equilibrium (no pun intended..), and the adjuncts rarely overwhelm the palate. Instead, the ingredients of the beers seem to fuse together to mimic more complex tasting notes vs. standing out individually. With Multichorus (a sour IPA with white chocolate, cardamom, vanilla, lactose, and Citra powder), I found myself tasting things like apple pie, lemon pound cake, and masala chai vs. the adjuncts themselves. By avoiding letting any one aspect (such as bitterness) or ingredient (such as vanilla beans or Galaxy hops) stand out much among the others, the beers avoid venturing into territory where 16oz becomes cloying or boring on the palate, and they seem to offer new, really unique flavors with every sip!

All of this may not make sense if you haven’t tried them, but trust me, as someone still kicking myself for only buying a 4-pack of Ultrasphere, don’t write off the style till you try it!

..Or totally write it off and save yourself the ton of time, stress, and money it will likely take to acquire them going forward!

 

That said, this is an EQ thread, and to keep it slightly on topic, just want to say that I had a Sexual Fluctuation can the other night that was probably the best hoppy beer I’ve had in the last year or so. Now just waiting on the EQ/D96/HV collab “Sexual Fluctuation Gone Sour”

 

Great response.

To add a more simplistic viewpoint: while I enjoy the lactose/"oat cream" IPAs of current times, I find that they're sometimes a bit too heavy and creamy on the taste with nothing to balance it out. I find that Hudson Valley's sour IPAs provide just enough tartness to cut through the creaminess in order to create a more drinkable product. The addition of adjuncts makes them even more interesting.

Much how Tired Hands considers a lot of their experimental stuff to be "culinary" beers, I tend to think of Hudson Valley sour IPAs in that same light while being superior to the aforementioned brewery.

 

That was a great description you gave about HV sour IPA, I found myself nodding totally in agreement as I read it. It has been a great pleasure to enjoy the evolution of those beers from Mike's and Jason's days at Bacchus.

Gotta agree about the collab. too. Sexual Fluctuation to me is like a new level IIPA. Just finished one actually. The aroma is unbelievable, but the absolute rainbow of great fruit flavors that they pull from the hops, and the just doughy enough, just crisp enough sweet that backs it, with just the right amount of bitter sneaking in at the end of the sip to take it to the next level. The soft mouthfeel lets the flavors shine in the mouth, and makes a refreshing drink you almost can't keep from finishing too quickly. I ended up writing one of the longest reviews of my life to describe its goodness.

 

@avas thanks for the well worded response. At some point I would like to try one, but it still doesn't necessarily sound up my alley. Your description certainly sounds better than the description I had in my head. I actually love bitterness in IPAs, and generally prefer any non-lactose IPA over lactose IPAs. Those do sound more interesting though at least for a change of pace.

To echo the sentiment on Sexual Fluctuation, it is an amazing beer. I actually thought there was a chance mangos were in it. That said, Fluctuation IMO is a little better and possibly the best IPA I've had all year (well, in the last year). Tastes to me like a better version of TH Green (and no, I'm sorry Very Green is not as good as Green and is not that better version).

 

I just learned that smarties means something totally different in the US v UK

 

One of the trade pages did a poll and Fluctuation was chosen by the members as the favorite beer EQ has done so far. Gonna go grab one now, you know, for science

 

So would I be correct in assuming there will be no cans available if I arrive on a Sunday at 1 or 2 p.m.? And also in assuming this Tapped restaurant is not a great place? I would greatly appreciate help.

 

I'm not positive but I don't think yesterday's release sold out. I got there around 230 yesterday and it seemed like they had a good amount left. Would be really surprised if they sold all of it by closing.

 

You wrote this Sunday night. There is no way to predict if cans would be available on Sunday (not sold out on Saturday) in the future weeks. You should check their social media for the can updates.

 

I wouldn't call them bad, but the food at Tapped is pretty average and a bit expensive imo. I ate there a bunch of times when EQ first opened, and my favorite thing on the menu is the fried pickles. I stopped going to the restaurant once it became clear that eating there doesn't support the brewery and now just go to Holy Dog whenever I stop by to pick up cans.

 

I just want to say this is an A+ description

 

Tapped had the worst cheese plate I've ever eaten at a restaurant. Little variety among cheese types, one of the cheeses had no taste, and the grapes were wrinkled. And.. six tiny crackers for 6 wedges.

 

not a fan of Tapped. their chicken is really chewy and service is really slow. do Holy Dog instead.

Gatordaddy, it depends on the release. if it's some sought-after collab like Sexual Fluctuation was then no chance, but if it's something they've released before like a Fractal Citra or something then I wouldn't be surprised to see it last into early next week. the beauty of EQ is that they release stuff weekly so it's possible that a very good release can last a day or two.

dHop 2 - an excellent DIPA featuring citra and mosaic - lasted over a week., but dHop 7 and Fluctuation sold out in a day.

 

I'm kinda not surprised they messed up something that involved no actual cooking.

 

tomorrow....

 

Does equilibrium have two lines, taproom and cans, when opening at 11:30 tomorrow?
-looking to just try a couple. Thanks!

 

Cans are sold out of the brewery. The brewery itself doesn't have a taproom.

There's a restaurant that shares the building with Equilibrium called Tapped. They run a taproom, and they usually have a few EQ beers on tap.

 

Hey man – As @Xerlic pointed out the taproom is essentially a WIP, as they are no longer affiliated with the restaurant next door, where they held their services on the ground floor (e.g. growlers, samples, merch).

In any case, they’ll pour samples while you’re waiting in line, which coincides with a bottle share. Also, the Beer King, which isn’t too far offers crowlers, and usually/always have EQ on tap