By Iron Chef Leftovers
Anderson Valley makes some interesting beers, many of which I definitely like. I happened to be out at Beveridge Place Pub in West Seattle and saw Hop Ottin’ on tap and, never having had it before, I felt compelled to try it.
From the Anderson Valley website:
Hops. They are the cornerstone of India Pale Ales around the world, and our Hop Ottin’ IPA is no exception. Handcrafted with copious amounts of Columbus and Cascade, this beer is a showcase of bright citrusy aromas, bold grapefruit and pine-like flavors, and the resiny bitterness that hop heads crave. With a brilliant, deep amber color and solid malt backbone, hints of citron, roses, and bergamot climax with a dry, herbal finish in this well balanced interpretation of a West Coast IPA.
FOOD PAIRINGS: Garlic fries, curry chicken, mahi fish tacos, carrot cake cookies
CHEESE PAIRINGS: Sharp Cheddar, Gorgonzola
GLASSWARE: Pint Glass
ALC/VOL: 7.0%
BITTERNESS: 78 IBU
MALTS: Pale Two-Row, Crystal (40L), Munich (20L)
HOPS: Columbus, Cascade
AVAILABILITY: Year-Round: Draft, 22oz & 12oz bottles, 12 oz cans
The beer pours pale amber/orange in color with floral hops and grain on the nose. Slightly floral and sugary with the initial sip, the beer yields large amounts of burnt orange peel as the dominant flavor in the beer with hints of slightly astringent hops. It felt really out of balance – not really dominantly bitter, or floral or citrus, but all of those were present and it felt like the beer wasn’t sure where it wanted to go. The balance got slightly better as it warmed, but it was still off-kilter and really didn’t enjoy it.
I think that Hop Ottin’ was the first disappointing Anderson Valley beer that I have come across and it shows with an unspectacular 2 fur trappers out of 5.
FlatbreadGarden 