A Pint Half Full

Purchased from:
Total Wine and More, Alexandria, VA

ABV%:
6.7%

Type:
India Pale Ale

Color:
Deep amber hue with an orange-tinged, fluffy head

Aroma:
Citrus and piney scented hops emanate from the head and grow stronger as the head fades.  Alcohol mixed in there as well with a tiny tiny hint of spice.

Taste:
Somewhat full bodied with a delayed hit of a major load of hops and bitterness in the back of the palate.  The alcohol is a bit overpowering.  There is hardly any sweetness and the hop taste lingers for a good long time after you finish.  No dry finish to speak of but it does warm the throat.


Overall:
After trying Victory Brewing's Hop Wallop beer at Columbia Firehouse in Old Town Alexandria, I wanted to check out the rest of their line.  The Hop Wallop was wonderfullly balanced with hops taking the forefront, better balanced I felt than the Hop Devil.  However, one cannot deny the freshness and bright flavor of the hops in this beer.  It's too bad the alcohol somewhat detracted from fully enjoying all the flavors and it covered up some of the malt sweetness to balance the bitters.  But it does get you your hop fix; the flavor is complex, wonderful and sticks on your tongue for a long time to enjoy.  The artwork is great too - that little hop devil is so cute (it looks like a bull).

3.75/5