Hop Peak IPA

Review Date 7/9/2021    By John Staradumsky

So just the other day I was opining about the glories of 19.2-ounce cans, and how they fit in right between a pint can or bottle of beer and a 22-ounce bomber bottle. That made me think: don’t I have such a container of Breckenridge Hop Peak IPA around here somewhere? I searched the beer fridges and, sure enough, I did. One thing about these towering cans is that they are a bit easier to find. Sad to say but I have a tendency to lose beer all the time.

I decided I would drink it. Mind you, it doesn’t take much to convince me to have a beer, I’ll confess. Breckenridge is a long-time favorite brewery of mine since the 90s, and for whatever reason, I still have an image burned into my brain of seeing Breckenridge Vanilla Porter through the cooler doors at Yankee Wine and Spirits in Attleboro, Massachusetts, way back in the 90s.

Some people do not like Breckenridge beers because the brewery was acquired by Anheuser Busch some years ago. Such things do not concern me; by all means, I would rather see breweries remain independent. Beer is a business, though, and brewery owners are entitled to cash out on their investment if they so desire. As long as the quality is unchanged, I will still buy the beer.

Breckenridge says on their website:

Simcoe and Citra dry hops form a pinnacle of lush citrus and pine aromas in this modern interpretation of the classic India Pale Ale. Our hopback infuses flavor from whole cone hops to build a complex body, further emboldened by the addition of an oil-rich, concentrated hop flower resin called lupulin powder. This potent powder kicks up a fresh hoppy dominance, which is supported by a backbone of unique specialty malts. Golden amber in color and refreshing in taste, Hop Peak IPA is a congratulatory drink for reaching any of life’s summits.

I bought my can of Breckenridge Hop Peak IPA in Cherokee, North Carolina at my favorite beer store there for $2.99. Total Wine sells it for $8.99 a six-pack or, if you really like it, $16.49 a 12-pack. Not a bad price, that. The beer has an alcohol content of 6.5% by volume with 57 IBUs. My can is stamped BEST ENJOYED BY 06/07/21, and I drank it on May 17th. Three weeks to spare!

Breckenridge Hop Peak IPA pours to a slightly hazy orange amber color with a thick fluffy white head and a heady nose of citrus and earthy herbal hops. Taking a sip, the beer is medium in body with earthy herbal notes permeating. There’s bitter citrus rind and a gentle hint of resin and pine, all leading to a long dry bitter finish that lingers on the tongue long after sipping.

It was hard to stop drinking this one, thanks to the delightful infusion of hop aroma and flavor. Those extra few ounces here come in quite handy for that very reason. Certainly a beer I would buy again.

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, canned

(D)=Draft

 

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