Saturday, July 6, 2013

7.6 - 342, Ya'll

Heard a lot of hype surrounding this beer and hop strain..  finally was able to snag a bottle so let's drink!


Cisco Brewers - Island Reserve - HBC 342 Hopsicle Ale
a 4.7% ABV American Pale Ale brewed with a new experimental hop strain called HBC 342 first generated in 2012.  Here Cisco uses it in a single-hop APA.  It pours a golden hazy yellow with a gigantic fluffy pure white head.  A great mix of floral, grapefruit, and an interesting melon/fruity candy note that I hear is attributed to the hop strain.  Some nice wheat is present here too.  This is a terrific take on an APA..  it's bright and floral, piney and sweet..  all while being rounded out with that unique melon/tangerine/candy aspect that the 342 imparts.  This may be the best non-watermelon watermelon beer that exists.  It's simple, yet incredibly tasty, bright, sunny..  I need to hunt down this hop for some homebrewing!

- - 8 Hops!

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