Saw Works Brewing Company | Rocky Hop IPA

I’ve learned to trust the man when he hands me a beer. He wants me to speak honestly – “let me have it” type honesty.  The type of honesty that comes from an individual who wants to improve, to get better, to create something different, do something different, who wants to push.

It was just Dave Ohmer and me in that tasting room as we pulled two bar stools back and he said, “we’re not filtering it but this is especially cloudy being from the bottom of the keg.” Rocky Hop IPA will win people over quickly with just the name – hard not to smile when you say it. Smells very much like a Caldera IPA – orange peel, floral notes. It doesn’t overpower the palate but lingers nicely. While we discussed the hops used – Centennial, Falconers Flight 7Cs and Apollo, before I knew it, I had already consumed the pint – a little faster than I intended (6% ABV) but it was hard not to – pretty tasty.

I find IPAs tend to fall into three categories; the “just one” category is reserved mostly for imperials that are great but don’t leave much of the palate intact. Then at the opposite end is the “not-really an IPA” category reserved for the weak IPAs that really shouldn’t have been given the honor of being called an IPA but apparently played on a little league team where everyone got a trophy. Then there are those that fall right in the middle – they have flavor, they let you continue to taste other things, like your dinner that you’ve paired it with and breakfast the next day. Rocky Hop is right there in the middle – a solid beer from a great group of guys.

Final snobs: Trust Dave – he knows what he’s doing. This beer pairs well with spring, ribs, PB&J and America. Thumbs up from this snob. Watch out though, this one goes down pretty easy.

NOTE: this beer is currently only available at Saw Works Brewing Company but will be available throughout the area in the next few weeks.

Cheers!