Hop Ottin' IPA: This is a Beer that has Copped an Attitude
Written: Jun 26 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Citrus hop flavor; Rocky head of foam; Aftertaste of hops
Cons: None!
The Bottom Line: This is an aggressively hopped IPA, with plenty of attitude and great hop taste.
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| Bryan_Carey's Full Review: Hop Ottin IPA |
Sometimes, the taste of a smooth, easy- drinking beer hits the spot. After a long day at work, for example, or after partaking in a physically- demanding chore or sport, a good, easy- drinking brew can prove to be just what the doctor ordered. A smooth, clean lager, for instance, is often just the right remedy for a stressful situation.
But on other occasions, a beer with bite and attitude is in order. When this mood strikes, I usually reach for a well- hopped pale ale or India Pale Ale. And one of the beers that I get a craving for when hop withdraw starts to set in is Anderson Valley Hop Ottin’ IPA, an aggressively hopped beer.
Basic Characteristics of This Beer:
Hop Ottin’ IPA pours out of the bottle orange and aromatic, with a floral hop aroma that is very striking and very enticing. The foam of this beer is solid and lasts for a good long time, leaving clumps of lace along the sides of the glass as you drink.
This beer starts out with some caramel malt taste and some toasted malt notes, but then BOOM! The hops hit in the finish. These hops impart a delicious fruity taste to the beer, with grapefruit, orange, and other citrus flavors dominating. The finish of the beer is bitter, but not excessively so, with a pleasant, citrus- like flavor that lingers on the palate for a long time.
Anderson Valley brews this beer using Pacific Northwest Hops and the beer is dry- hopped using full- size hop cones to give it the uniquely hop- fortified taste. The alcohol level is higher than average, tipping the scales at seven percent by volume. The bitterness level is substantial, with 78 IBU.
Food Compatibility:
The taste of this beer is so spicy/citrusy that only a few types of food can match up to its overwhelming taste. Spicy Cajun food might match, and so would Indian and a few others. But that’s really about it. This beer is best as either a before dinner drink, and after dinner drink, or a treat to be savored all by itself when the need arises.
Final Thoughts:
Anderson Valley’s Hop Ottin’ IPA is a thing of a beauty! From the initial pour, to the aroma, to the foam, to the body, all the way to the finish, Hop Ottin’ IPA electrifies the taste buds with its hop- accented body and all the delicious complex flavors that are derived from it.
According to the manufacturer, this beer is brewed with “Only the finest hops, malted barley, hops, yeast, hops, and pristine Boonville mineral water…and hops”. The emphasis is obvious and the strong presence of hops in the taste backs up these claims. But this isn’t that only thing that makes Hop Ottin’ IPA so good. The head of foam is sturdy, solid, and gorgeous, forming what looks like a series of jagged mountains as it proudly stands atop the glass of brew. And the caramelized, toasted malt makes for a nice attempt at balance (the beer still remains bitter, but you can’t blame them for trying). The alcohol level is higher than normal, but you really can’t tell when you take a sip. The alcohol taste is buried behind all of those hops.
The name “Hop Ottin” IPA means “Hard Working Hops” and it’s a fitting name for this aggressively- hopped beer. The great citrus flavor has garnered this beer several awards, including a Silver Medal in the 2001 World Beer Championships, a Bronze Medal in the 1998 World Beer Championships, and a Bronze Medal in the 2000 World Beer Cup.
Anderson Valley Brewing is one of the nation’s best craft- brewing operations so whenever I am preparing to sample a new brew from this company, my expectations are naturally going to be high. And Anderson Valley has yet to let me down. Every product I have ever tried from this brewery has been exceptional, and with this review, it will make a total of four 5- star awards that I have handed to Anderson Valley, making it one of my personal highest- rated breweries in the U.S.
Hop Ottin’ IPA is not a beer for those with weak constitutions. This beer is intended for hop lovers exclusively. A sip of Hop Ottin’ IPA is like taking a vacation to an exclusive resort where everyone can find an activity to enjoy, but those who love the main activity head back home with the widest smile on their faces. Hop Ottin’ IPA is a delicious, classic American IPA with truckloads of citrus hop goodness in every bottle. For lovers of hops, it satisfies to the fullest!
Recommended:
Yes
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