It’s the start of my last week living in San Francisco, which means it’s time to start saying goodbye to the things I have come to know and love. But don’t worry, I’m not going to get all emotional on you (yet). It’s Friday, and that means beer!
I’m told Lagunitas’ Hop Stoopid is available on the East Coast, so it’s probably not technically goodbye, but I’m betting it won’t be as readily available. This is my absolute favorite beer to date. I didn’t include it in last week’s Beer-Off partly because it wouldn’t have been fair to the other beers (and partly because it wasn’t available because they ran out of their last batch – and that’s with only being an hour away from the Sonoma brewery!).
Hop Stoopid is an American Double/Imperial IPA from the Lagunitas brewery in Petaluma, CA with an 8% ABV. But unlike other high-alcohol California IPAs, it doesn’t smell that boozy upfront. Or even taste that boozy. Because of all the hops, bitterness takes over the initial sip, but it’s a piney taste that is a million times more delicious than it sounds. On the back of this bitterness, there is a hit of sweetness that makes the beer so balanced!
“Bittersweet” is a term I anticipate throwing around a lot over the next week, but when I’m using the term to describe the flavor of this beer, it’s 100% good! If you see it, and you’re into hoppy beers, do yourself a favor and pick it up. And maybe send me some in MA just in case I can’t find it…
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