Top of the Hops Greenville

We had a blast at this year's Top of the Hops beer festival at the Carolina First Center in Greenville. Met a lot of very friendly people who were passionate about their beer. Nice selection from the brewers who were in attendance. Fun classes too... We really enjoyed the beer and cheese pairing workshop put on by Sam Adams & Whole Foods. It would have been nice for a few more brewers to show up (instead of volunteers pouring) but very understandable that everyone couldn't be in attendance.

A very big special thank you to Thomas Creek and the Carolina Ale House for sponsoring the event. We can't wait until next year.

Cheers!

Thomas Creek's Deep Water Dopplebock

Thomas Creek is our local brewery and they do an exceptional job with their beers (also, the nicest people you'll ever meet). Their Deep Water Dopplebock is one our our favorites in the Thomas Creek family of beers. It pours a dark and ominous black color with a minimal head (it almost looks like a lesser carbonated cola). The smell is not too intense, you can pick up a roasted coffee scent, but really no sweetness. The taste is very similar to the smell. A roasted malt flavor fills the palate followed by a quick hint of spicy bitterness going down. The beer is smoother and easier to drink than you'd expect for a dobblebock, but in our opinion that turns into a pleasant surprise since this is a beer you'd like to enjoy for a couple rounds.

This beer comes in light for a dopplebock with a 6.5% ABV

Overall: 89.50 / 100
Look: A-
Smell: B
Taste: A
Feel: A-
Buy Again? Yes

DFH 90 Min Imperial IPA Review

Tonight we're #gettngslizzerd on Dogfish Head's 90 min Imperial IPA. This is a very complex and flavorful IPA that pours a bright glowing amber color and leaves a nice lacing head. The smell leaves you wondering about the taste. You know it is an IPA, but the malt balances well against the aroma hops. The flavor is bursting with citrus that you'd expect from an IPA but with a sweet malty goodness. The feel is quite smooth but leaves a dry aftertaste.

I'm worried that I'm not ranking the beer high enough. For quite some time this was my favorite IPA, but then I had Thomas Creek Brewery's Up the Creek and that flat out changed my perception of this beer style forever. All IPA's are measured against this... Had I not had an Up the Creek before, this one would rank much higher.

Coming in with an ABV of 9%
Overall Grade: 82.50 / 100
Look: A-
Smell: B-
Taste: B-
Feel: B-
Buy Again? Maybe