I’m always happy to see another beer from Anderson valley of Boonville, California. I’ve been drinking their beers since the 90s after all, and the fact that I still get excited when I see their beers speaks volumes. The trend today for modern beer geeks seems to be to idolize the recent crop of brewers, but it’s important to remember they wouldn’t be here today without the trailblazers from the 80s and 90s. Many of those pioneering craft brewers are no longer here, but Anderson Valley is, and they’ve been giving us great beer since 1987.

Anyway, today I’m sipping a bottle of Anderson Valley Heelch O’ Hops, a double India Pale Ale. On their website Anderson valley gives us the background on this one:

Brewed with a heelch* of Columbus, Chinook, and Cascade hops, our double IPA has a palate pleasing bitterness that is carefully balanced with a full-bodied malt foundation.  With a deep color of polished brass and a nose that sings of pink grapefruit and redwood needles, the rich biscuit-like malt flavors intertwine with hints of vanilla, mangos, and peppercorns leading to a deep, warming finish. (*That’s Boontling for “a whole lot”)

I love the classic west coast hops in this one, and they have 3 of the 4cs covered (Centennial being the other). Malts, which are not mentioned above, are Pale Two-Row and Victory per the website. Alcohol by volume is 8.7% by volume and a whopping 100 IBUs. I paid $9.99 for a 4-pack of Heelch O’ Hops.

Anderson Valley Heelch O’ Hops pours to a bright orange color with a medium sized head of foam and a very citric orange, resiny hoppy nose. A thick lyer of Brussels Lace forms on the sides of my glass and follows the liquid all the way to the bottom. Taking a sip I get a solid caramel maltiness up front followed by tons of hop aroma and bitterness. The hops are very resiny, with more of the orange citrus the nose promised and a decided peppery note across the tongue. Not so much the vanilla and mangos, though, to this reviewer.

All in all, an excellent example of a DIPA, if a bit on the pricey side. A beer I would buy again in a heartbeat, though.

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft

(G)=Growler



Home