So each year for the past 15 or so Sam Adams holds a Longshot brewing competition in which amateur homebrewers from across the country brew and submit their own beers for judging. A recently created category (23) was developed for brewers creating a beer by "thinking outside the box"...creating a unique beer. The 2 finalists from 2010 in won the chance to have their beer brewed and released nationally in this 6 pack, along with the employee winner. There is a Blackened Hops Ale, Friar Hops Ale and Honey B's Lavender Wheat
The Blackend Hops Ale was brewed by Rodney Kibzey of Illinois.. unknown IBUs and 7.0% ABV. This one poured like a heavy porter or dark imperial ale.. yet smelled like an overly hoppy IPA. Hints of roasted malts on the nose like a porter or darker beer that give way immediately to huge amounts of piney hops. A medium bodied beer..citrus hops hit the tongue first which gives way to the roasted malts, coffee notes..hints of semi-sweet chocolate that are indicative of porters or stouts. The lingering notes of this beer are wholly hops..similar to an imperial IPA..very creamy, great balance between the strong hops and background malts to mellow it out. A unique beer for sure, much more of a slow sipper.. maybe not be best beer I've ever had, but a nice change of pace. Honestly..something I could see Dogfish Head brewing..even had a bit of their 'signature' taste to it.
The Friar Hop Ale brewed by Richard Roper of Georgia is one monster of a sleeper! 9.0% ABV!!! Belgian IPA...gorgeous golden straw pour, immediately floral hops and sweet spice hit the nose, this kinda hints at a pumpkin ale or holiday brew. Nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, toasted nut, hints of brown sugar, then clove and banana reminiscent of a weizen or Belgian Wit. Tastes like a pumpkin beer and a Saison made sweet, sweet love! Tons of sweet, mellow spice and caramel-esque malts that leaves a viscousy sweet taste then your taste buds get roundhouse kicked Chuck Norris style by the hops.. THAT'S where the 'hop' in the name comes from! Floral hops are the icing on the cake. A crazy merger of styles that will not only knock you on your rump, but tastes damn good while it's at it!
Finally, Honey B's Lavender Ale brewed by Caitlin DeClerq from CA, a Sam Adams employee. Brewed with lavender petals and honey, this hazy golden beer comes in at 5.5% ABV. A lightly floral aroma and hidden sweetness..clearly must be the lavender and honey! Not fully sure WHAT lavender smells like..but these hints must be lavender... Gotta brush up on my flower petal aromas! A fairly light, yet slightly creamy brew..not much in the way of immediate flavors besides, what again I'm guessing must be, lavender. A little bit of spice here and there with citrus and smooth honey notes that quickly fades into a decently hoppy finish
Very crisp, refreshing, rather light and with a nice malty background, this is one good casual drinker with just enough flavor to keep it interesting after 2 or 3...a very nice homebrew.
Overall, these were very unique takes on fairly well-known styles that weren't so unique you couldn't get used to them. Attributes from the common combined beautifully in each beer with unusual ingredients or styles to produce an awesome 6pack. It'd definitely be cool if Sam decided to do some sort of rotated brewing of these or draft at select bars for a while!
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