IPA tasting 4/15/10

Racer 5 was tasting pretty fresh and Maharaja was very fresh as well. Full Sail was surprisingingly refreshing with a citrussy hop effect.

Hops: Pale Ales, IPAs, and Beyond
April 15, 2010

Samuel Smith India Ale
Brewer: Samuel Smith’s Brewery Origin: Tadcaster, England Style: India Pale Ale ABV: 5.0% (45)

Full Sail Hop Pursuit (Brewmaster Reserve Series)
Brewer: Full Sail Brewery Origin: Hood River, OR Style: American Pale Ale ABV: 6.0% (55)

Victory Hop Devil
Brewer: Victory Brewing Origin: Downingtown, PA Style: American IPA ABV: 6.7% (60-70)

Bear Republic Racer 5
Brewer: Bear Republic Brewing Origin: Healdsburg, CA Style: American IPA ABV: 7.0% (75+)

Coast HopArt (draft)
Brewer: Coast Brewing Origin: North Charleston, SC Style: American IPA ABV: 7.7% (80)

Stone Ruination
Brewer: Stone Brewing Origin: Escondido, CA Style: American Double IPA ABV: 7.7% (100+)

Avery Maharaja IPA (draft)
Brewer: Avery Brewing Origin: Boulder, CO Style: American Double India Pale Ale ABV: 10.6% (102)

Hoppin’ Frog Hop Dam Triple IPA
Brewer: Hoppin’ Frog Brewery Origin: Akron, Ohio Style: Imperial IPA ABV: 10.0% (168)

Some Information on the hops you are tasting

Hops were used in continental Europe as early as the 9th century. Hops were perfected in Germany by the 13th century, and imported to England in the 15th century. Use in England had taken root by the 16th century. Hops were indeed used for their ability to balance the sweet malt flavors, but more so due to their preservative properties. The term pale ale in England dates to the 17th century and India Pale Ale dates to the late 18th century. American versions of these beers are relatively new and typically employ a more vigorous hop addition both in bittering (more towards the beginning of the boil) and aromatic (end of the boil or steeped or even in the fermentation stage).
Hoppiness: English Pale Ale – English IPA – American Pale Ale – American IPA – American Double/Imperial IPA

Sampling of some hop varieties (alpha acid in parentheses, this is a bitterness scale)

Amarillo (8-11) high alpha with citrus and floral similar to Cascade
Cascade: (4-7) balanced bitterness and aroma variety, pleasant floral, citrus, and spice. The American Pale Ale standard
Centennial: (9-11) mainly a bittering hop with floral and citrus notes, Cascade on steroids
Chinook: (12-14) high alpha with a resiny grapefruit aroma. Descendant of Golding
Citra (10-12) citrusy high alpha hop
Columbus / Tomahawk: (15-17) used as a bittering hop, very high alpha acid and intense aroma
Fuggle: (4-6) traditional aroma hop due to its mild aroma, darker beer hop typically
Galena: (10-13) high alpha with balanced bittering capabilities
Golding (4-6) sought after hop for bittering and aroma, traditional British ale hop
Kent Golding: (4-6) English aroma hop
Nugget: (11-14) high alpha with strong herbal aroma properties
Simcoe (12-14) high alpha with sharp piney aroma
Summit (17-19) extremely high alpha hop
Warrior (15-17) high alpha with cascade like aroma
Willamette (4-7) slightly spicy good aroma and bittering hop. American version of Fuggle