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".