March 26, 2008
Chicagoist's "Beer of the Week:" Moylan's Hopsickle Imperial Ale
Sometimes, in our constant tasting of beer, we come across some that make the mouth pucker as though we just sucked on a sour lemon. Then there are the beers that make us pucker because of all the hoppy goodness it contains.
Such is the case with this week's selection from Moylan's Brewery & Restaurant in Novato, California. The label on their "Hopsickle" imperial ale warns that this is for the serious hop lover. Triple hopped with Cascade, Tomahawk and Centennial hops, bitterness and spice are the first two things that come to mind when tasting out this beer. Teeming with warm citrus and pine flavors, it is not for the faint of heart.
That doesn't mean that all you're getting from this beer is hops. A beautiful amber in color, this beer has a warm aroma of grapefruit that hits the nose hard when decanting. The head in the photo dissipates very quickly into thick lacing on the glass. We could just stare at the beer for hours. And did, actually.
Because of the major hoppiness, you're best food pairing with Hopsickle would be wild game, or something spicy. Or just drink it by itself and enjoy Moylan's Hopsickle Imperial Ale, Chicagoist's "Beer of the Week."
|
love this beer, but their double IPA and IPA are just as good if not better, and very difficult to find. seems like stores can't keep the double on their shelves for long. trying to get my local liquor store to get it since they recently upgraded their selection, but they don't seem to be listening.
I love a good IPA or even a IIPA, but Hopsickle was just too much for me.
Founders Devil Dancer was the same thing for me, just a hop bomb of bitterness. I did lay one down in the cellar for 6 months and it was a lot better, with more of a barley wine quality to it.
DROOOO - this is their double IPA (double and imperial are the same thing).
i love this beer. I find with hop bombs like this and Two Brother's Hop Juice, you need to drink them early on in the night. Once you are drunk, the sweetness and hop resiny-ness is just too much and gets annoying.
you almost had me doubting myself, but i'm certain of this: in chicago, you can find their (single) IPA, double IPA (beat alpha king) and the hopsickle which is labeled as a triple IPA. it's even mentioned in the review. i'm much more of a fan of the double, but i haven't had the privilege of enjoying one in months because i can't seem to get to the store before they're bought out.
i agree with you though. i love hoppy beers. i recently tried the hop juice, and it is in fact very tasty. however, my most recent discovery is from Avery brewing company out of boulder, CO. it's called The Maharaja. it's an imperial IPA and it's OUTSTANDING. if you haven't tried, look for it; you won't be disappointed.
i love the maharaja.
technically (and i say this as a homebrewer), the concept of a triple IPA is nonsense unless its a belgian tripel/IPA, which is a newer Belgian style hop bomb. triple hopping/dry hopping/etc is not where the name comes from (double doesn't mean double the hops either).
good point though, they do market it as a triple and it is seriously intense. i have the regular IPA in my fridge, ill have to look for the double soon.
and the double beats alpha king? i think alpha king might just be an APA, but still, blasphemy maybe.
their IIPA or Double IPA is called MOYLANDER and, I too, think it is more enjoyable than Hopsickle...
but Hopsickle is fun!
I didn't know Moylans was in Illinois!?!?!
Must be a new thing!
www.flickr.com/photos/m500/1543238586/
Specifically, Joe, it's a Lush thing.
aaaaahhhh ;-)
I should have known, haha!
next stop: LUSH
SRFeldman79: homebrewer? you've got me trumped. i've brewed, but i am no expert, and i can't argue the ridiculousness of a triple IPA. on their double IPA (Moylander) label, it mentions beating alpha king in competition; even shows the alpha king logo! i know it sounds blasphemous, but i actually agree with the judges. their regular IPA is good too, but i'm more of a fan of the moylander than either the hopsickle or regular IPA.
Joe: it's been here for a few months. last i heard, the binnys on the south side has more than just their IPA's as well.