On tap at Andy’s Corner Bar, well-received tropical-fruited strong ale (formerly Alchemy Hour) hides lusty 9.1% alcohol volume behind luscious grapefruit-peeled pineapple, mango, guava and papaya juiciness (generated by Mosaic hops) as well as pungently resinous pine needling. Ancillary peach, pear and apple nuances pick up the pace alongside subtle herbal-tinged floral bouquet.
On tap at Julian’s, ultra-dry IPA utilizes real grapefruit peels to soak up resinous Chinook-hopped pining and botanical citrus zest. In particular, ‘yellow’ grapefruit peel, rind and pith overtones dominate the front end. Juniper berries deepen the wood-lacquered bittering – overriding wispy honeyed malt sugaring. Tertiary pink grapefruit, lemon meringue and nectar illusions flutter below.
Well-balanced full-bodied IPA spinoff contrasts bright pineapple, grapefruit and orange sweetness against bitterly pungent piney hop oiling and dry yellow wood acridity. Ancillary brown pear, red cherry, apricot and tangerine sugaring receives honeyed rye malting as well as ginger-snapped herbal wisp. Brusque alcohol burn provides medicinal cherry coughdrop background.
On tap at Shepherd & Knucklehead, bold full-bodied Imperial IPA (limited ’14 edition with high hop resin) drapes rye-honeyed fructose tropicalia over tangy grapefruit-orange ripeness, but rigid 11.1% alcohol burn, massive 111 IBU hop bittering and chewy caramel malting completely overload fruity onrush. In skinny 12-ounce can, clay-hopped pine needling sharpens syrupy cotton-candied pineapple, peach, nectarine, tangerine and mango tang.
On tap at Pies & Pints, ‘craziest’ Evil Twin yet brings elegant cognac warmth to ripe IPA-fruited barleywine boozing (13% ABV). Slight alcohol burn ensues as orange and cherry bruised tang spreads across ruby red grapefruit, candied apple, peach marmalade, syrupy pear, nectarine and honeydew illusions as well as tropical pineapple, mango and lychee exotica. Resinous pine snip lacquers fruitful treasure. Highly recommended.
‘Colossal’ Imperial IPA contrasts expectantly bitter citric hop pining against heavy malt bill with excellent results. Well-disguised 10% alcohol astringency and creamy cookie dough yeast strengthen dark-roasted hop resin of sinewy honey-browned full body. Tart grapefruit-peeled orange rind briskness picks up zesty lemon trail. Floral-bound apricot, pear, red apple and juniper illusions brighten tropical mango-pineapple-lychee-guava conflux. Essential.
On tap at Three Wise Monks, easygoing India Pale Ale competes favorably with brewers’ similarly styled and more pungent Hop Ranch (via 2013). Beautiful yellow and pink grapefruit overtones ride above piney whole-coned Chinook-Citra-Simcoe bittering, creamy crystal malting and gorgeous floral bouquet. Apple, pear, melon, peach and tangerine fruiting sweetens stylish grapefruit, pineapple and orange tang. Passive mango, papaya, passionfruit and guava tropicalia hidden beneath the surface.
On tap at The Drafting Room, indelible yellow grapefruit-juiced entry picks up floral-daubed tropicalia over pungent whole-coned hop bittering and piney hemp oiling. Tart orange-peeled lemon rind crisping deepens tangy pineapple-mango-papaya-nectarine-tangerine undertones for fruitful delight.
On tap at Redlight Redlight, thrilling ‘immaculate collaboration’ between Cathedral Square and Shmaltz loads Belgian candi-sugared yeast to IPA-related citric fruiting. Tangy grapefruit, pineapple and navel orange frontage and zesty lemon juicing pick up peppery resinous hop bittering. Latent cookie dough sweetness and caraway-seeded rye breading reach burnt caramel spine.
Retaining many fine attributes of brewers’ Hop Riot, heightened 9.5% alcohol volume well hidden behind floral grapefruit-peeled peach-pear-apple tang and mild grassy-hopped easement. Sweet almond, chestnut, praline and pecan notions ride alongside ancillary hemp resin, sappy pine and black tea nuances.
Praiseworthy full-bodied Imperial IPA loads doughy caramelized yeast sinew into floral fruited goodness as well as chewy helles bock-like almond, pecan and marzipan sweetness. Sticky hop-oiled pine resin bittering contrasts tropical pineapple-mango-cantaloupe-melon conflux, orange-bruised tangerine-peach-pear-apple tang and candied butterscotch sugaring. A true hopheads delight reinforced by a significant malt thrust.
On tap at Aidan’s, Utah brewery’s flagship beer succeeds at making bitter hop-head fare approachable for general consumption. Inviting floral-citric medium body contrasts brusque juniper-hopped grapefruit bittering and resinous pine sapping with tangy orange-tangerine-mango-pineapple fruiting. A glint of lemon zest crystallizes the citra-hopped finish. Heady vodka-like 9% alcohol volume intensifies bitter lupulin influence (but not at the expense of its rounded mouthfeel).
