Beer of the Weekend #852: XHops Maroon
The beer of the weekend is another single bottle: XHops Maroon, brewed by the Toppling Goliath Brewing Company of Decorah, Iowa.
Beer on carpet!
The color is cloudy, medium amber. A finger of dense, beige, bubble-spotted head settles unevenly, leaving bubbly spots of foam, a frothy ring, and lacing stuck to the glass. The aroma is hella fruity and tropical, with a ton of mango. It reminds me a lot of M-43 from Old Nation (which is probably my benchmark for all tropical beers). Pineapple is also present, along with tame citrus, light malt, spice, pine, and maybe a touch of cattiness. The first sip is much more bitter than I was expecting from the aroma; it definitely wakes the taste buds, but is thankfully not as intense in subsequent sips. The earthy bitterness is a major player, and all the other flavors take a back seat, which is unfortunate. Mango and pineapple hang out in the background, but are obviously not as prominent as they are in the aroma. Though the bitterness fades as the beer warms, I think it is too bitter.
Fun facts about XHops Maroon:
• Style: Pale ale.
• Price: $7.99 for a 22-ounce bottle at the New Pioneer Food Co-op in Iowa City.
• Alcohol content: 5.3 percent ABV.
• IBU: 60.
• This is the maroon label of TG’s XHops series:
The Quiet Man’s grade: B.
Beer on carpet!
The color is cloudy, medium amber. A finger of dense, beige, bubble-spotted head settles unevenly, leaving bubbly spots of foam, a frothy ring, and lacing stuck to the glass. The aroma is hella fruity and tropical, with a ton of mango. It reminds me a lot of M-43 from Old Nation (which is probably my benchmark for all tropical beers). Pineapple is also present, along with tame citrus, light malt, spice, pine, and maybe a touch of cattiness. The first sip is much more bitter than I was expecting from the aroma; it definitely wakes the taste buds, but is thankfully not as intense in subsequent sips. The earthy bitterness is a major player, and all the other flavors take a back seat, which is unfortunate. Mango and pineapple hang out in the background, but are obviously not as prominent as they are in the aroma. Though the bitterness fades as the beer warms, I think it is too bitter.
Fun facts about XHops Maroon:
• Style: Pale ale.
• Price: $7.99 for a 22-ounce bottle at the New Pioneer Food Co-op in Iowa City.
• Alcohol content: 5.3 percent ABV.
• IBU: 60.
• This is the maroon label of TG’s XHops series:
Deep in the labs at Toppling Goliath, through the vaulted door, down the steps, and past the room labeled “Beware the Leopard” lies a series of experiments long forgotten. The Xhops series — a biological hybrid of many experimental hops. Each color a unique flavor of pale ale. Released throughout 2013 and 2014, this beer begs to make a return, but can you handle it?
The Quiet Man’s grade: B.
