Hop Kitchen #7 - Hop The Pond

New Belgium - Hop The Pond | Hop Kitchen #7 [Double India Pale Ale] (22oz ---> Dogfish Head Curved Pint Glass : 8% ABV : 80 IBU)

     Whilst browsing the bombers, I was in the mood for something fuller and darker, as to welcome the fall... But with my recent affinity for drawing cartoon characters from my childhood, I couldn't pass up this DIPA simply due to the bearded-rabbit-hop-armadillo-pirate on the label!! Shortly after this write-up is completed, I plan on indulging in an art session to "funk out" my own version of this charismatic lil' creature... It's title "Hop The Pond" comes from it's recipe being composed of ingredients from North and South America, Europe and Australia as well!! Not yet having had a chance to travel to anywhere outside of North America, I figured that enjoying a beer composed of ingredients from outside this vicinity was a good start!!

     It poured seemingly medium bodied, and a nice two and a half inch head sat atop the light orange brew with great clarity... The nose is extremely present, full of sweet, citrusy hops as well as some piney earthiness that creep through the still fading head... A nice bitter bite is there immediately as the beer hits your tongue, but the resiny hop flavor is close behind, never letting one forget that they're enjoying an IPA... Some wheat notes shine through on the mid-palate once one gets through the sweetness that seems to be far more present than the aromas were hinting... The finish is delightfully full and smooth, as a minimal amount of carbonation being present seems to tame a fair amount of the bitterness... The mouthfeel is wonderful, and compliments this beer quite nicely, because even though it's considerably sweet, the fullness allows the bitter elements to balance out that sweetness and vice-versa, creating quite a tasty harmony... Overall it was a great beer... My pallet and knowledge not quite yet allowing me the ability to distinguish distinct hop and malt varieties, it's still amusing to know that this beer is composed of worldly flavors!! Cheers!!