I finally got my hands on the much anticipated Experimental Hop Pack from Sierra Nevada.
I finally got my hands on the much anticipated Experimental Hop Pack from Sierra Nevada.
Passion and experimentation have the habit of creating something wonderful. And that was exactly the case for this variety pack of super dank IPAs.
Here’s what Sierra Nevada says about the pack:
“We’re always on the hunt for exciting hop flavors, and recently our search led us to the Pacific Northwest and straight to the source of bold new hops. These varietals are so new, they are only known by numbers, but they just might be the next big thing in beer. Jump in with us, and get acquainted with these cutting-edge experimental hops in four new hop-heavy beers.”
Inside is an IPA, a session, a hoppy Pilsner, and a DIPA. Here are the slurred word poems inspired by them.
IPA – 6.8%
Whoa buddy. The aroma alone smells like a college dorm room on a Friday night. Lit up AF. And it tastes like it smells, super dank. There is an intense, floral hop flavor, subtle grapefruit, and a bready malt back end. A solid IPA that can stand its own among the countless others.
‘Trumpet shouts
cuts the night
clean through like
a knife
satchmo howls
hungry yearning
tear down the walls of eden
the garden’s burning.’
Session IPA – 4.6%
A lot less dank aroma than the IPA, but still pretty dank smelling and tasting. There’s some lemon and citrus flavor, along with grassy and piney hops. And then like the IPA, a sweet, bready malt flavor, just not as heavy.
‘I recall
sitting in a garage bar
as rain drops fall
and the whole time, like the rain,
I was falling for you
over and over again.’
Hop Pilsner – 5.5%
This one is like magic. It has a really nice, fruit flavor that I really can pinpoint. Almost like grapes? And then grassy hops, hints of lemon, and a strong grainy/wheat malt flavor. I think it’s my favorite of the pack.
‘Hair
as Amer-
-ican as Kansas wheat
golden sunflower eyes a smile
raspberry sweet
wildflower heroine
soothing voice a
songbird carried by the prairie wind.’
DIPA – 8.0%
This one is a heavy hitter. It’s pretty much the flavor profile of the IPA, strong floral hops, and super rich molasses like malt. The only downside is there is a lingering taste of ethanol left on the tongue.
‘Dance your
heart out
spill your beer hug your friends
and shout!
Beauty will save us from this spiritual
drought.’