When you’re in the midst of a wicked winter with no apparent intent of releasing its icy grips anytime soon you need a beer that’s not afraid to go toe to toe with the old man. A beer from a place that knows winter. A beer from Alaska. Alaskan Brewing Company’s Hopthermia:
This American Double India Pale Ale, or IPA, is as big and bold as the mythical lone brewer himself. Legend has it that he first came up with this beer, with the help of his woodland friends, to fight against the long frigid winter nights endured by all of the pioneers of the Last Frontier.
A four-pack of short 12oz bottles sells for $9.99. Stark black and green label with ice covered hops.
ALCOHOL BY VOLUME: 8.5%
COLOR (0-2): Brown and clear. 2
HEAD (0-2): White color with good volume and lacing. 2
AROMA (0-2): Grapefruit with a little floral sweetness. 2
TASTE (0-5): Flavors of grapefruit and pine resin blend well with mellow malts. It’s surprisingly smooth for a double IPA with no bitter edge. The mouthfeel is on the watery side and it has a medium body. You can’t pick up the heat at all and Hopthermia is quite drinkable. 4
AFTERTASTE (0-2): Pleasantly piney and lasting. 2
OVERALL (0-6): Very well-balanced and nuanced for a double IPA. Delivers delicious hop flavors without pounding you over the head with bitterness. A worthy beer to weather the winter with. 4
TOTAL SCORE (0-19): 16
