On a recent frigid, blustery day in Missoula, I felt the need to seek out a little variety in the beer world and stopped in at my favorite set of taps also known as The Rhino. What did I find?  One excellent example of the fresh hop world along with a classic German doppelbock.

As both my regular readers now know, I’m really digging the fresh hop ales.  They’re not a new variety, but they’ve exploded in number over the past couple of years and are highly anticipated each fall. I’ve found them to be a great celebration of hop flavors, generally with only a moderate amount of bitterness to provide balance while letting the flavors shine.

Deschutes brewing has their own version as part of the Bond Street Ale Series.  Hop Trip – A Fresh Hop Pale Ale – features Crystal hops picked from a farm near Salem, OR and added fresh to the brew kettles along with some dry kilned whole hops. It pours a slightly hazy orange/amber color with a white head that disappears fairly quickly. The aroma is of pine resin and woody hops.  Flavors of pine hops dominate the brew with a moderate, well balanced bitterness level. It is an excellent brew (5.5% abv, 38 ibus). 

On the other end of the spectrum was Ayinger’s Celebrator Doppelbock.  This is a beer than is widely available year round in bottles at better beer stores, but I’ve rarely found it on tap.  On Beer Advocate it rates an “A” for outstanding and the Bros (creators of Beer Advocate) consider it a beer of world class distinction.  I humbly agree.  I found this beer early on in my craft beer exploration and have loved it since.  It is a dark brown brew with ruby highlights at the edges.  There is a very light-tan, thick head.  The aromas are filled with sweet caramel malt and the flavors are dominated by an earthy, woody, caramel malt combination and hints of toasted brown sugar.  It is smooth and crisp and far too easy to drink (6.7% abv).  Head down to the Rhino in Missoula for your own chance to taste this classic.