Well, I couldn't go to bed this evening without experiencing another Hop Juice! The last (and first) time I had the Hop Juice, I was at a very good friend's home in Lakewood, WA. for a historic tasting which I'll explore later in this blog. For now, let's just say that we experienced some of the most sublime beers the average person can get their hands on. Sublime because not only were most of them what we considered our "best of the best", but it's interesting to note that certain ones also happened to be aged to perfection! Many of these ended up being what we considered (and still do) to be the holy grails for their styles. The Hop Juice included. Well, maybe it's not that good, but still sublime just the same.
And since I just picked some up today...
Left Coast Brewing Co.'s Hop Juice is by far a standout in the DIPA arena, and really should be called an Imperial IPA. Yeah, that line can be blurred, but it is weighing in at 9.4% ABV and exhibits all of the same qualities as the IIPA's that I love -Avery's Maharajah, Boundary Bay Imperial IPA, Southern Tier Unearthly, Bear Republic Racer X, Deschutes Hop Henge, Harmon Brewing's Rajah's Royal IPA, Port Hop 15, Green Flash Imperial. The list goes on. Hop Juice not only belongs in this list, but also makes my short list -as in the "best of the best".
That sounds like tremendous praise, and it is. So let's explore why...
Appearance: Clear, coppery amber color. This beer has an unusual quality where the carbonation is rather high as shown by the volume of energetic bubbles visible trying to break the surface tension. However, the head you would expect to form from these bubbles should be massive, but quite the contrary. The head was relatively "thin" but the lacing left behing was beautful and delicate.
Smell: Pine forest, notes of citrus -especially orange and grapefruit. Maybe some fresh cut grass (I'm not sure on that one, but I'll confirm that next time I have a bottle). When you first get a whiff of this beer fresh poured it smells like just walking into a flower shop. The overall aroma was "flowers", but a combination of lots of different kinds of flowers. Don't smell any alcohol whatsoever. Just fruity, malty harmony.
Taste: Bitter hops on the front, which gives way only a little to a slightly acidic "orange peel" citrusy flavor. Then a slight "sticky" sweetness on the finish from the malty goodness that balances this puppy out. Note: The hops stick with you for the entire journey, and then are still reminding you that your last sip was about 45 seconds ago. So you have to have another to indulge that craving. Just a hint of that alcohol is present, it's masked very well.
Mouthfeel: Medium thick, and a tad bit "oily", but too much so- this actually is a good thing and may be a signature attribute for this beer. Then, finally the alcohol makes it's appearance to remind you it's there -at 9.4%. It's not over the top or interferes with the drinkability or enjoyment -but quite the opposite. Similar to many DIPAs and Imperials.
Drinkability: If I wanted to, I could put away two of these in one evening. But the alcohol content would remind me part way through that second bottle why I shouldn't. Very drinkable and "friendly". This is a beer that's become a "standard" for me and definitely belongs in my top 10 DIPA/IIPA.
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