Beer of the Weekend #215: Hop[Squared]
Tonight I have yet another indigenous Iowa brew, and this one is somewhat momentous: Hop[Squared], brewed by the Millstream Brewing Company of Amana, Iowa.
Hop[Squared] was featured on the front page of the Iowa City Press-Citizen this week. It was brewed by Millstream to commemorate the one-year anniversary of Iowa’s new high-proof beer brewing law.
Previously, Iowa brewers were unable to brew beer stronger than 6.25 percent ABV; everything above was considered an “intoxicating liquor.” In the meantime, high-proof beer from out of state was being sold to retailers through the Iowa Alcohol Beverage Division, the state-run wholesaler that handles all liquor. Needless to say, this put Hawkeye State brewers at a disadvantage in their own neighborhood. However, the beer ABV limits were increased in a bill signed last March. Iowa brewers are now able to make beer that is up to 12 percent ABW (alcohol by weight), which would be 15 percent ABV. (According to BeerAdvocate’s Alström Brothers, you can calculate ABV by multiplying the ABW by 1.25, and ABW by multiplying the ABV by .8. It’s almost like doing taxes.)
The first batch of Hop[Squared] sold out, so Millstream brewed another batch. Dirty John’s did not have any left, but I was able to get a four-pack from the downtown New Pi today.
Serving type: Four 12-ounce bottles. The bottling month notch along the right side of the label is located at the “J” for January.
Appearance: Straight pour into a tulip glass. The color is a copper or deep amber. Two fingers of eggshell colored head developed and dissipated to leave a thin and spotted lacing and a ring around the edge.
Smell: Typical grapefruit/orange citrus and pine spice, but it is much sweeter and less intimidating. Aromas of honey and caramel keep it tame, and I even got subtle hints of chocolate, too. Frankly, it’s pretty malty for a DIPA. For whatever reason I am reminded of Millstream’s last Oktoberfest. Ahh…sweet memories of football season.
Taste: The first couple sips are super sweet, much like over sweetened lemonade. Wow. However, as the palate adjusts the flavor beings to mirror the aroma — albeit in a much sweeter way. Grapefruit and orange citrus, a little pine spice, honey, caramel, and a touch of chocolate. At the end of each sip there is a hint of black pepper spice, too. The sweetness level drops considerably as the beer warms (though it is still sweet) and the flavors create a tasty mélange.
Drinkability: Basically, this is a hoppier version of Millstream Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest is excellent, but I am not so sure about this hoppy edition. Though it has DIPA qualities, it is too sweet and malty to be true to style.
Fun facts about Hop[Squared]:
-Style: Millstream calls it a Double IPA and BA classifies it as an American Double/Imperial IPA.
-Price: $8.99/four-pack at the New Pioneer Co-op on Washington Street in Iowa City.
-Serving temperature: 50-50ºF.
-Alcohol content: 7.8 percent ABV. That’s 6.24 percent ABW.
-Food pairings: BA recommends barbecue, peppery cheeses (Monterey/Pepper Jack), sharp cheeses (Blue, Cheddar), pungent cheeses (Gorgonzola, Limburger), game meat, grilled meat, and salmon.
-As with Madhouse’s limited releases, Millstream is not touting Hop[Squared] on it’s website, so there is really no information about it.
The Quiet Man’s grade: B.
Hop[Squared] was featured on the front page of the Iowa City Press-Citizen this week. It was brewed by Millstream to commemorate the one-year anniversary of Iowa’s new high-proof beer brewing law.
Previously, Iowa brewers were unable to brew beer stronger than 6.25 percent ABV; everything above was considered an “intoxicating liquor.” In the meantime, high-proof beer from out of state was being sold to retailers through the Iowa Alcohol Beverage Division, the state-run wholesaler that handles all liquor. Needless to say, this put Hawkeye State brewers at a disadvantage in their own neighborhood. However, the beer ABV limits were increased in a bill signed last March. Iowa brewers are now able to make beer that is up to 12 percent ABW (alcohol by weight), which would be 15 percent ABV. (According to BeerAdvocate’s Alström Brothers, you can calculate ABV by multiplying the ABW by 1.25, and ABW by multiplying the ABV by .8. It’s almost like doing taxes.)
The first batch of Hop[Squared] sold out, so Millstream brewed another batch. Dirty John’s did not have any left, but I was able to get a four-pack from the downtown New Pi today.
Serving type: Four 12-ounce bottles. The bottling month notch along the right side of the label is located at the “J” for January.
Appearance: Straight pour into a tulip glass. The color is a copper or deep amber. Two fingers of eggshell colored head developed and dissipated to leave a thin and spotted lacing and a ring around the edge.
Smell: Typical grapefruit/orange citrus and pine spice, but it is much sweeter and less intimidating. Aromas of honey and caramel keep it tame, and I even got subtle hints of chocolate, too. Frankly, it’s pretty malty for a DIPA. For whatever reason I am reminded of Millstream’s last Oktoberfest. Ahh…sweet memories of football season.
Taste: The first couple sips are super sweet, much like over sweetened lemonade. Wow. However, as the palate adjusts the flavor beings to mirror the aroma — albeit in a much sweeter way. Grapefruit and orange citrus, a little pine spice, honey, caramel, and a touch of chocolate. At the end of each sip there is a hint of black pepper spice, too. The sweetness level drops considerably as the beer warms (though it is still sweet) and the flavors create a tasty mélange.
Drinkability: Basically, this is a hoppier version of Millstream Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest is excellent, but I am not so sure about this hoppy edition. Though it has DIPA qualities, it is too sweet and malty to be true to style.
Fun facts about Hop[Squared]:
-Style: Millstream calls it a Double IPA and BA classifies it as an American Double/Imperial IPA.
-Price: $8.99/four-pack at the New Pioneer Co-op on Washington Street in Iowa City.
-Serving temperature: 50-50ºF.
-Alcohol content: 7.8 percent ABV. That’s 6.24 percent ABW.
-Food pairings: BA recommends barbecue, peppery cheeses (Monterey/Pepper Jack), sharp cheeses (Blue, Cheddar), pungent cheeses (Gorgonzola, Limburger), game meat, grilled meat, and salmon.
-As with Madhouse’s limited releases, Millstream is not touting Hop[Squared] on it’s website, so there is really no information about it.
The Quiet Man’s grade: B.
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