Try?
You know what? Moylan’s beer and I go way back. As far as I can tell, the first time I tried them was back in 1998, when I wrote the following:
I have been hearing lots of great things about Moylan's Brewing Company from Novato, California. Recently, I got to try three of their beers, all in 22oz. bottles, and I can see what all the raving was about.
In case you’re wondering, the three beers I tried then were their IPA, Old Blarney Barleywine, and Imperial Stout. When I moved to Georgia, I went without Moylan’s fix for quite some time, at least until after they popped the cap here in Georgia (July 2004) and we started getting a much greater beer variety. A few years later, Moylans beers arrived in the bottle. Though until recently I had never seen them on draft. And what a treat it is to enjoy Moylan’s Hopsickle Imperial IPA on draft.
Hopsickle is, then, the very first Moylan’s beer I’ve enjoyed on tap, I hadn’t had Hopsickle before in any form, actually, and I was a bit surprised when I took my first sip, because this one really emphasizes bitterness over anything else. In a big way.
A little about the beer. Moylan’s describes it as follows on their website:
In Celebration of the Hop...
This is a "Hop" tribute, worthy of a King's Imperial Court! Enjoy the blast of fresh Tomahawk, Cascade and Centennial Hops as they stimulate the taste buds in a truly imperial fashion. Pucker Up!
Pucker up is right. No IBU count on this sucker, but it will make you pucker, for sure. This is what most would call an Imperial IPA or Double IPA at a hefty 9.2% alcohol by volume. I paid $7 for an 11 ounce pour, which I suppose is not too bad for a beer like this.
Moylan’s
Hopsickle Imperial IPA
pours to a bright orange color with a thin sliver of a head formation and a
sharp pungent herbal hoppiness with a hint of passion fruit in the nose.
Taking a sip I get subtle caramel and more of that passion fruitiness in
the palate, then a colossal bitterness that really defines the beer. It
finishes incredibly bitter, like my tongue was plucked out, seasoned with
bitterness, rolled in a bitterness coating, deep fried in bitter oil, then
shoved back into my mouth. They ain't kidding when they call it Hopsicle!
Bitter oranges really come out as it warms too....
I enjoyed my glass of Moylan's Hopsickle with Taco Mac's famous Hot Wings. The Hopsickle's bitterness actually overpowered the heat of the wings. I should have got Death Wings with this beer, because I think that the bitterness of the hops is a wonderful match to spicy foods. So, the more bitterness in the IPA, the spicier the wings one can enjoy with them. Sounds like a plan for next time……..
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
