Here’s the thing: I have no idea where I got my bottle of Short’s Brew Huma Lupa Licious from. It’s not sold in Georgia, this much I know. Short’s is located in Elk Rapids, Michigan, another thing I know. I found a bottle of this beer in the back of my garage beer fridge (who knows what other surprises are lurking in there?) and decided to drink it.
This is my first beer ever from Short’s, and it is an India Pale Ale if you didn’t already know. Modern beer geeks would be aghast to learn I didn’t drink this beer five minutes after it was brewed. IPA, though, is a style designed to age. Could this be a prime example of that philosophy? Let’s see what Short’s says about their IPA:
Huma Lupa Licious’ name derives from the hop plant, Humulus lupulus. Brewed with five different hop varieties recognized for their citrus, floral, piney, and earthy qualities, Huma is known for having an intense bitterness that is balanced by a rich malty flavor. A citrus and floral aroma complements the unique qualities of Short’s flagship India Pale Ale. Huma Lupa Licious is truly a complex hop and malt theme park in your mouth.
See the keywords there? Citrus, floral, piney, and earthy. Nowhere do you see the word tropical. It’s the modern tropical hop aromas and flavors that don’t age well, they lose their potency with time. Not all hop varieties are so delicate, however, as we shall soon see.
Short’s Brew Huma Lupa Licious has an alcohol content of 7.7% by volume with 70 IBUs. That approaches double/imperial IPAs in strength. Total Wine sells it for $8.99 a six-pack (though not here in Georgia). The bottling date on the neck says 03/07/16.
Short’s Brew Huma Lupa Licious pours to a hazy orange amber color with a thick rocky head and a grassy herbal hop aroma. Taking a sip, the beer has a firm caramel maltiness up front followed by deep seated herbal earthy hops. They’re grassy and bitter (like Unterbergs) and permeating and leave the beer very dry and bitter indeed.
Quite excellent! An intense permeating bitterness characterizes this beer with over two years of age on it, I’d love to try it fresh to compare. Be back here with details when I do.
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