One thing you have to say about Foothills Brewing Company, they have these really neat labels. Hoppyum IPA is no exception, what with its ornate green hop cones featured prominently on the label, radiating their glory out for all to see. It’s like some 30s retro propaganda poster, but about beer. Which is always better than just about anything else you can think of.

If Karl Marx tasted this beer, would he have called it the Hoppyum of the people? Perhaps.  It’s enough for me just to call it Hoppyum, or Hoppy-yum as the case may be. Foothills beers are not sold here in Georgia, at least not yet, despite being brewed in nearby Winston-Salem, North Carolina. I picked up a few of their brews on a recent trip to Asheville.

From the label:

An American India Pale Ale full of pungent Simcoe, potent Columbus, and citrusy Centennial and Cascade hops. A medium dry finish ensures that Hoppyum makes and excellent session beer.

Foothills Hoppyum IPA has an alcohol content of 6.3% and 78 IBUs according to the label (their website says 70). There is some sort of freshness dating screen printed on the bottle neck, but it is illegible. The beer was running $9.99 a 6-pack at Bruisin’ Ales where I bought it.

Foothills Hoppyum IPA pours to a bright golden color with a thick rocky head formation and a refreshing fresh resiny hop nose. Taking a sip, I get a solid crystal and caramel malt backbone followed up by those very resiny, piney, citrusy hops. Fresh green hops and candyish crystal malt are definitely here. The hop aroma permeates the beer as it progresses from the malt up front, and this one finishes with a respectable but not overpowering bitterness.

To me, this seemed not as bitter as 78 IBUs suggests, but this one has good bitterness, more so as it warms, and a firm malt base. There is nothing to set it out front of the pack, but that does not make it any less a credible American IPA, and one that went well with an evening barbecue on the patio.

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

 

 

 



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