Half Acre (2020)

BA Big Hugs sitting around down here in Champaign - I rather liked it. Reminded me of BA Speedway.

 

Nice comparison!

 

That’s good to know. From the description on their Instagram, it sounds like something I’d like. I liked. The Galaxy DD, but I thought it was too sweet.
I wish Half Acre (and others) would lay off the double IPAs, and release a well made single IPA.

I feel like the flavors get lost in sweetness with all the double IPAs.

 

Half Acre is still putting out around 1-2 regular IPA variations a month. In Place came out right around Thanksgiving. Crystal Clear 6.7% IPA that was quite excellent. And they just released Scraper today. 6% IPA that they describe as "Experimental hop work inside an IPA that straddles the gap between classic and deep haze."

 

Any one here try Old Ben yet?

I keep looking at it longingly in the fridge, but can't bring myself to crack it yet.

 

Yes, it tastes old. Adjuncts are faint, barrel is ever present. It’s enjoyable but not in the same Benthic sort of way. More along the VSOD lines imo.

 

Isnt Galaxy Double Daisy 7%
Half Acre releases IPAs and Pale Ales literally all the time. Every month. If you live in the city and don’t know that, you should follow their Instagram

 

I really liked it. My two favorites of the lineup were the Cherry Brandy and the Old Ben. It was mellower than the original, almost had a VSOJ feel to me of where everything just melds together really well.

 

I've been lucky enough to be present when a can of this has been opened twice. I think it's outstanding -- the extra aging in the blend shines and the adjunct levels seem to be right where it is with this year's reg.

 

I easily favored Old Ben over the rest of this year's Benthic lineup, which were all terrific. The richness of Old Ben propelled it to another level for me, putting it near the top of my favorite beers of the year. I cracked the Cherry Brandy last night, which was good, although I found it to be a touch too dry with the coconut and cinnamon quite muted.

 

This is a teachable moment here. Next year have the beer while you put it together. Just like the crib a few years ago, the bike in a year or two, etc. Expecting parents, take note.

 

Drinking my last Catch Hell. Going to miss this one and in my top 3 of the year. Thank you, HA!

 

2018 & 2019 Benthic Howlers available at Lincoln right now!

$35 for 2019 & $38 for 2018.

 

I had a Vanilla Benthic last night and wow was it awesome. definitely got a lot of coconut upfront and vanilla on the backend

 

If you enjoy Nelson hops and hazy ipas- Second Setting is pretty tasty.

 

My buddy who is a haze / NE IPA fiend says it's incredible.

Which means anyone who appreciates the "pine" and "bitterness" of traditional Half Acre IPA's probably won't like it.

Haven't had it myself to judge personally.

 

I concur. It has Hop Butcher like bold hop flavors with a body of the TG hazies- not syrupy and over the top sweet like HB.