Try?
Sometimes, it’s
just so much fun being a beer geek I can’t restrain my enthusiasm. You know,
you get one of those beers that are just so delightful that they make you
want to jump and cheer. And my friends, Thomas Hooker Hop Meadow IPA
is one of those beers.
When I left Rhode Island almost five years ago, I had enjoyed a few Trout Brook ales (they make the Thomas Hooker brand). They’re located in Connecticut, and I had enjoyed some of their beers on draft at Willimantic Brewing Company (I highly recommend their Willi Whammer Barleywine.
But I don’t recall them being this good. To put things in perspective, Kerry Callahan of the Hartford Courant gave this beer a solid five stars. And I think that may not have been enough. It’s that good.
Definitely an IPA in the aggressive American style, Hop Meadow is brewed with Chinooks and Cascades, lots of both to be sure. I bought a bottle here in Georgia for about $4 for 22 ounces, and that’s a steal now that I’ve tasted it. I’m going back for more.
Right off the bat, I knew this was going to be a special beer. When I popped the cap off of my 22 ounce bomber bottle of Hop Meadow IPA, I got a whiff of divine piney Cascade hops. Pouring the liquid in my glass revealed very dark orange amber to almost mahogany colored brew. And then there was the head. A formidable, prodigious, well, pillow of a head formed atop my glass.
I took a sniff of the decanted brew, and got some juicy malt along with more
of those wonderful hops. I just had to take a sip, and when I did, I
immediately got some chewy caramel malt, but it didn’t really have a chance
to catch much of my palate’s attention. Because right away, those hops
jumped in. Boy did they ever.
And I’ll get to that. But first, the Brussels lace. There was a ton of it clinging to the side of my glass as I emptied it, and I emptied it rather quickly. It was that good. Now, back to the hops. They permeate the brew with a wonderfully citric grapefruit character as well as a resiny, fruity, piney flavor. And that’s even before the bitterness hits you.
In the finish, that wonderfully tangy, intensely grapefruity bitterness grabs your tongue for all its worth and just won’t let go. It’s been at least a minute since I last sipped and still my tongue has bitter written all over it. Intense bitterness.
Trout Brook says this beer is not too sweet or over-the-top with hops.. But really, the hops do dominate here. But there’s a lot of malt, too, and maybe why they say this isn’t over the top. Except, of course, that it is.
Hop Meadow IPA is a real hop monster, and a real hophead’s delight. One of the best I’ve had in a long time. Get on a plane to Connecticut and buy all you can find. Take it home with you (but send a few bottles my way for the tip). You’ll surely be glad you did.
When I left Rhode Island almost five years ago, I had enjoyed a few Trout Brook ales (they make the Thomas Hooker brand). They’re located in Connecticut, and I had enjoyed some of their beers on draft at Willimantic Brewing Company (I highly recommend their Willi Whammer Barleywine.
But I don’t recall them being this good. To put things in perspective, Kerry Callahan of the Hartford Courant gave this beer a solid five stars. And I think that may not have been enough. It’s that good.
Definitely an IPA in the aggressive American style, Hop Meadow is brewed with Chinooks and Cascades, lots of both to be sure. I bought a bottle here in Georgia for about $4 for 22 ounces, and that’s a steal now that I’ve tasted it. I’m going back for more.
Right off the bat, I knew this was going to be a special beer. When I popped the cap off of my 22 ounce bomber bottle of Hop Meadow IPA, I got a whiff of divine piney Cascade hops. Pouring the liquid in my glass revealed very dark orange amber to almost mahogany colored brew. And then there was the head. A formidable, prodigious, well, pillow of a head formed atop my glass.
I took a sniff of the decanted brew, and got some juicy malt along with more
of those wonderful hops. I just had to take a sip, and when I did, I
immediately got some chewy caramel malt, but it didn’t really have a chance
to catch much of my palate’s attention. Because right away, those hops
jumped in. Boy did they ever. And I’ll get to that. But first, the Brussels lace. There was a ton of it clinging to the side of my glass as I emptied it, and I emptied it rather quickly. It was that good. Now, back to the hops. They permeate the brew with a wonderfully citric grapefruit character as well as a resiny, fruity, piney flavor. And that’s even before the bitterness hits you.
In the finish, that wonderfully tangy, intensely grapefruity bitterness grabs your tongue for all its worth and just won’t let go. It’s been at least a minute since I last sipped and still my tongue has bitter written all over it. Intense bitterness.
Trout Brook says this beer is not too sweet or over-the-top with hops.. But really, the hops do dominate here. But there’s a lot of malt, too, and maybe why they say this isn’t over the top. Except, of course, that it is.
Hop Meadow IPA is a real hop monster, and a real hophead’s delight. One of the best I’ve had in a long time. Get on a plane to Connecticut and buy all you can find. Take it home with you (but send a few bottles my way for the tip). You’ll surely be glad you did.
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
