You know how that saying goes. Life’s a bitch. That doesn’t always have to be a bad thing, though, especially not if life’s a Hoppy Bitch. As in Hoppy Bitch IPA from the Trade Route Brewing Company of Pacific, Washington. One thing’s for sure: this brewery seems to have had a bitch of a time finding the right name.

The bottle that I ordered from Letspour.com has the name Northwest Brewing Company above the beer’s name. Which is kind of weird, because the brewery website is under the name Trade Route Brewing Company, and indeed Letspour says the beer is made by Trade Route. Which, incidentally, used to be called Laughing Buddha. That name had to be changed to Trade Route when a lawsuit claimed copyright infringement.

Regardless of the brewery’s name, there is no mistaking the name of the beer in question today. I’ll confess the catchy name caught my attention on Letspour.com, and the price ($7.25 for a bomber) was quite reasonable, especially with free shipping on six bottles, mix and match as you like.

From the website:

This northwest IPA is bold and balanced, with a rich malty flavor and a strong hop presence. We use premium 2-Row, Crystal, Munich and Victory malts to create the perfect base for showcasing Yakima-grown Columbus hops. After one sip you’ll agree, this is one hoppy bitch of a beer.

The website claims the beer has 80 IBUs of bitterness, my bottle says 60. Both agree on the 6.3% alcohol by volume, though.

Hoppy Bitch IPA pours to a deep orange color with a very prodigious head of foam. The  nose is extremely inviting, citric hoppy and strongly hinting at fresh orange juice. Some chewy caramel up front and a hint of butterscotch come through, along with freshly milled pale malt, then lots of Columbus hops, really big grapefruit, orange, and a long dry bitter finish. The beer is a little creamy in the palate, and very drinkable at just 6.3% ABV. I would certainly buy it again!

I just love the fresh juice character in the palate, and the fact that the beer is so creamy, smooth, and quite bitter. I must confess I have never had a beer taste this much like fresh squeezed orange juice (though some Lagunitas beers have come close).

Now if they could just decide on a name for the brewery……

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