Holy crap I love this time of year. How is it that three, count'em three, hoptastic offerings hit the shelves all at the same time??
Double Simcoe by Weyerbacher,
Bell's Hopslam, and
Nugget Nectar by Troegs are all currently in your corner store just waiting to be imbibed.
I was most impressed with the Hopslam. Here's what I had to say about it:
12 oz. bottle. Pours copper orange with a thick and creamy white head. Good lacing. Nose is huge on fruit. Peach, apricot, pine and grass, citrus notes of orange and grapefruit. Taste is interesting. Not over the top "slammy" in the hop bitterness. There is a good dose of bitterness, though, balanced well with a malt backbone that adds a subtle sweetness of light toffee and honey. There’s a huge hop flavor, fruity notes of raisin and citrus, then some grass and pine. This is an absolutely, ridiculously, delicious beer. One of my new favorites.
The Nectar hit the spot, too, being an amped up version of one of my "go to" beers, Troegs
Hopback.
Now I'm not writing off the Double Simcoe. It wouldn't be mentioned here if I were. Check out my rating:
12 oz. bottle. Pours amber red with beige head, foamy and about a half an inch thick. Big hoppy nose, piney and floral stickiness with a crystal sugar sweetness. Touch of caramel malt backbone with lots of hoppy character, grass and pine, some floral and citrus notes. Nice dose of bitterness towards the end that lingers into the after with a hint of sugary sweetness. The mouthfeel is a touch watery. Great lacing.
Having tried all three of these beers in the last couple of weeks, plus some other IPAs and Double/Imperial IPAs, I've started to question my rating habits/theory when it comes to "hop heavy" offerings. High hopped/over-hopped beers make me smile. Therefore, I rate them highly. Are my ratings telling of what my favorite "hoppy beers" are? I don't know. First, I only rate beers once. I should probably re-rate beers every so ofter, but with offerings such as
Three Floyds Dreadnaught IIPA, I may only get one bottle once a year due to its limited distribution, if at all. That makes it hard to re-rate, and also adds the "rarity" dimension to my rate.
Second, The hoppy beer in front of me is my favorite, EVER, at that moment. Its only later when I start to think back and compare. But by then I've already rated the beer, and don't feel "right" going back and adjusting my rating after the fact. The first impression is the right impression, correct?
I'm sure I'm not the only one who has contemplated this. I'm considering putting together a blind tasting of as many IPAs and IIPAs as I can find. This way, its completely arbitrary, with no pre-conceived prejudices (either positive or negative) clouding my judgment. I'm sure it will be cloudy enough by the sixth pint. Who's in?
Cheers,
Dave
