Lagunitas Born Yesterday

Today I have Born Yesterday from Lagunitas in my glass.  And holy moly, I believe we have a winner.  Oh yeah, I guess Wet Hop Week isn't over yet.  This one has a powerful aroma of sweet sweet tropical fruit that hit me in the nose and made me happy.  The label mentions that it's rich with Mosaic, Amarillo, and Equinox hops that are fresher than fresh (picked on October 26th!!!)  There was a Herculean effort made on the part of the dedicated men and women of Lagunitas to get this beer to me ASAP for this review, so I hope it satisfies them as much as the beer is satisfying me.  I do have to admit though, the body is a little thin for my taste.  Very crisp, though, Fresh and sweetly fruity with a notable dose of Mosaic funk.  Have I mentioned how fresh this is?  Have I?

Sierra Nevada Harvest (4 of 5)

Today I have Sierra Nevada Harvest in my glass.  Just when I thought Wet Hop Week was over, this one pulled me back in.  This is the Fourth beer in a series of Five Wet Hop IPAs that Sierra Nevada is releasing this year.  I was pleased by the previous two I've had in the series (must have missed one), so I figured I couldn't go wrong with this.  For my tastes, this one is more good than it is great, but totally worth paying $5 for the 24 oz bomber.  These hops are pretty funky:  I'm getting some weird herbal notes, green tea, rose hips, a bit of funk and bitterness, grapefruit rind, and some other stuff I'm not able to pick out.  Price for quality, I'd say this is easily one of the best beers in Wet Hop Week, or as Sierra Nevada likes to call it, Wet Hop Year.

Lagunitas Citrusinensis One Hitter

Today I have Lagunitas Citrusinensis in my glass.  Wow, this is a tasty beer.  I really want to get more of this.  I really wish this wasn't a one off beer.  Damn.  Lagunitas.  Blood Orange.  I'm going to buy so much more of this.  If I can find it.  And write incomplete sentences.  Everything is here.  Citrus.  Blood Orange.  Hops.  Yes.  I'm going to buy as much of this as I can before you can get it.  Read this.  Share it.  I love you.  Share it.  Read it.  Share it.  Love it.  Share it.  Share it.  Share it.  Love.

Sierra Nevada Hop Hunter IPA

Today I have Sierra Nevada's Hop Hunter in my glass. I do like Sierra Nevada on the whole. Not every beer, not every time, but I've enjoyed a good number of their offerings over the years. Hop Hunter sounds like it could go either way.

It sounds fairly close to Lagunitas' Hop Stoopid, which is the only other beer I've had which used hop oil instead of physical hops. I've had mixed reactions to Hop Stoopid, so I'm curious but wary. Beer pours out golden, with a decent head. Noses strong, but soft hops, piney and thick. Nose is deceptive, though. This one seems a bit weak and watery. Hops seem indistinctly present, as if behind a curtain. Hops come through a bit more on the finish, but overall I'd say this is a lackluster effort.

It is, however, a drinkable and not unenjoyable beer. Inoffensive at worst and best. I suppose all things considered, it's not bad for the price. It's not a bad budget beer option, but it wouldn't be my first pick.

Ballast Point Sculpin

Today I have Ballast Point's Sculpin in my glass. Ballast Point is new to the Midwest and I'm at least a little curious about them. As a long-time fisherman I take notice of a beer who names all of their bottlings after fish and I'm even more intrigued when I'm unfamiliar with the fish in question. The Sculpin is a kind of funny looking fish. Take a look at one of Ballast Point's bottles if you've never seen one, or better yet open one with me.

Sculpin pours richly golden with little head. It has a deep sweet nose full of tropical fruits. It's smooth and easy to drink without any massive hop bite. It does have a little nice nibble on the finish though, and lingers citrusy in the mouth. Apparently Ballast Point also makes a version of this with Habanero Peppers, which sounds like it would be fun. Likewise I will be watching for their Grapefruit Sculpin.


Side note: this beer goes great with a fish fry. Side-side note: as I write more of these the format will tighten, as will my writing. I will become a machine. I will become one with my machine. Our words will warm your winters and cool your summers. Don't ask how it works. You cannot dissect gossamer. Magic falls apart under the microscope.

Bjorn.