Lancaster Brewing Co.
Lancaster, PA
Available: MD, NJ, PA, VA
Comment: Lancaster Brewing calls it their “hoppiest” beer to date.
Alcohol (wt.): 6,29
Alcohol (vol.): 7.9
Color: Copper
Bitterness: 55
Original Gravity: 17
Final Gravity: n/a
Malts used: Two Row Malt, Caramel 40, Ashburn Mild
Hops used: Fuggles, Cascade
Like roses, varieties of hops have different perfumes. Lancaster’s choice is superb, making an open glass into a potpourri for the table. Were it judged only for the aroma, this beer would be winner. Fortunately, it’s also the creamy head, the strength of character, inviting mouth feel and overall balance that earns Hop Hog a grade A. Although there are ample hops, they are restrained by the rich malt, making this a beer bred for bread, cheese, and savories like olives, pickles and dolmas.
Big gelatinous head. Lovely full amber color. Fresh, grassy, cleansing hop aroma, tightly combined with nutty maltiness. Firm-bodied, but flavors flag in the middle. Picks up in the finish, with some warming alcohol. Ultimately both satisfying (but not satiating) and appetizing, but ponderous as compared with some West Coast counterparts.
The “hog” on the label clearly loves hops. Grapefruit, citrus, pine jump at you, with caramel, lighter toffee and an impression of apples arriving as the beer warms. The malt sweetness and hop fruitiness are well integrated, making room for earthy undertones. At 7.8% ABV, this beer clearly has some heft, but in the tug of war between hops and malt, the hops are a clear winner.
Founder of Merchant du Vin and the Pike Brewing Co., Charles Finkel is a pioneer in the marketing of craft beers in America.
Author of Ultimate Beer, the Simon & Schuster Guide to Beer and numerous other works on drinks, Jackson has created legions of converts to fine beer.
Editor at Realbeer.com, a professional journalist for 40 years and amateur brewer for 15, Hieronymus is the author of four beer books, including Brew Like a Monk.
