CryoHops™ sounds futuristic, which seems to fit what Hop Valley calls their “new age IPA”. Hop Valley* is owned by Molson Coors, so once again we pose the question, craft brew or crafty marketing? As Famer Steve is prone to say (when he is not prone) “sounds like a profit making deal.”
Even before I poured this beer the pine scent was front and center. Flashback to shopping for Christmas trees in the grocery store parking lot. Pine aroma with a backstop of citrus. The impression was this will be a kick-ass IPA. A slap in the face IPA as RA would say. Golden pour, frothy head, a bit hazy. The pine scent really stands out. Piney, pine like, pining, piniest. Excuse my pine opine, but I guess you get the picture.
First swig was quite the surprise. Sure there was pine and citrus, but mellow rather than harsh, a tap on the shoulder rather than a slap in the face. Pine and citrus flavours but smooth. If it weren’t for the higher ABV this could be a session IPA. Maybe a mellow West Coast style IPA? IPA aroma and flavours but no IPA zing. Perhaps a bit cynical on my part but its almost as if it was made for the general public rather than IPA lovers, for mass consumption rather than craft beer connoisseurs. Maybe Farmer Steve is right, perhaps this is a profit making deal.
My old buddy JT quaffed a Bubble Stash draft tonight while out with the missus for dinner without a movie. I am interested to hear how the draft fared.
It was good, refreshing, relatively easy drinking. No zing or pop, which may be nice for some. For anyone that likes an IPA flavour but finds a traditional IPA a little harsh this would be a great alternative.
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