IPA Hop-ology
Alright, hop-heads, rejoice. Samuel Adams has released a limited edition variety 12 pack dubbed IPA Hop-ology. As the name suggests, Hop-ology contains 6 different IPAs: Third Voyage, Dark Depths, Tasman Red, Latitude 48 IPA, Whitewater IPA and a new release: Grumpy Monk.
Indeed, IPAs are one of my favorite styles. Last year's Deconstructed 48 was a real treat and all of the latest Single Batch series (Third Voyage, Tasman Red & Dark Depths) have been stellar.
The latest edition, Grumpy Monk, is a belgian ale reinterpreted as an IPA.
As Belgians do, Grumpy Monk poured with a thick head. On the nose I could smell dough and clove. As I took my first taste, I immediately thought "Belgian" - sweet malt, a little more clove - than as it continued, the IPA took over and a piney, spicy, citrusy finish wrapped things up. I would call the reinterpretation a success.
I checked Kroger today to see if I could land some more, but alas, nothing. I'll have to go to Plan B tomorrow.
NB: After being gone on a long holiday, the mail is one of the last things I want to check. Bills don't exactly wrap their arms around you and say, "Welcome home, friend. We've missed you." Wait, I take that back. Bills do wrap their arms around you, albeit it's your neck. So, when I found my good friends at Boston Beer provided me with this IPA Hop-ology pack to try out, I couldn't have been more pleased. It was nice to have an unexpected friend in the mail. It made returning home that much…"hop-ier".