Hops & Glory

Last month, the fine people at Newcastle offered me a chance to try out their Newcastle Brown Ale Draughtkeg.  Since I was already a huge fun of Newcastle, I leapt at the opportunity.  Since then, I thankfully discovered Belmont Party Supply sells it too.  Win, win!

A few weeks ago, I received a follow-up email asking if I wanted to try the Newcastle seasonal Summer Ale, Hops and Glory.  Hops and Glory is not available in Dayton, so I was intrigued.  I had never heard of it before.  However, when a few members of our brewing circle indicated they recently had tried it outside of Dayton, I was little worried as to what to expect.   Their reviews were not rave.

Newcastle provided me with a free six pack.  At the get-go of Man-Brew-Afternoon-Day, several of us tried it.  The verdict?  Actually, pretty good.

Although my tasting notes are slim, Hops and Glory had a moderate amount of hop bite, with a citrus notes and almost a sour quality...maybe apple?  This is a summer session beer.  Is this Newcastle Brown Ale?  No.  Is this hard core craft beer?  No.  Is this something you can bring to a Miller Lite crowd and convince there are better things than pissy yelllow beer? Absolutely.

In fact, in the aisles of big brand summer brews, this could really stick out.  It has an interesting enough of a flavor profile to satisfy craft beer drinkers and at the same time not scare off bad beer drinkers.  It's a sort of peace beer bridge.

I can say without reservation, I would pick up another six.  In fact, if heading off to a "non beer" friend, I would hit them first with Hops and Glory, and then work them towards Newkie Brown.  It takes one to lead to the other and I am perfectly fine in starting a foundation with a little Hops and Glory.