Foothills Hoppyum IPA

Brewed by Foothills Brewing
Style: India Pale Ale (IPA)
Winston-Salem, North Carolina USA

This was probably the best beer I sampled at the Southern Brewers Fest. A copper color with some nice lacing on my plastic mug. The aroma consisted of caramel, grapefruit, and perfume. The flavor is rather bitter but had a nice malt presence as well. I picked up some lemons, grapefruit, caramel, and brown sugar. Overall this was a good one.

From notes 1/5/06: Pours a spectacular copper red with a tight off-white head. Crystal clear. Brilliant. Illuminated. Aromas are rather subtle and quiet for me. I try and try to inhale its hoppy nectar, but it eludes me. Quick rabbit whiffs, or deep long inhalations...I just can’t detect much. Mild citrus juiciness with grapefruit flesh and rind. Juicy sweet grapefruit flesh flavors jump out at you. Bitter grapefruit rind fights against the sweetness. Sticky pine resins cling to the palate. Tree sap tackiness clings to the lips with each sip. Tongue-tightening bitterness. Caramel malts lurk in the shadows. Finishes both splendidly bitter and citrusy. Solid mouthfeel. Emminently drinkable for the hophead. A good one.

Not being familiar with this brewer, I didn’t quite know what to expect, but in the end, the label says it all. This beer is hop-packed, with a great, bitter flavor that shows off the Simcoe hops. It;s bitter, undoubtedly, but there is a progression to the bitterness that opens on the palate and makes the drinking experience worthwhile. I really got more than I expected out of this beer and its tremendous length on the palate. Good stuff, and nice smooth character.

A solid IPA. Lots of hops, not a lot in the way of balance, but I’m ok with that. If you like hops and are in NC this has got to be about as good as you can get. It might be a touch one-dimensional for some, but I’d recommend it.

sample from the pitcher at GABF on 9/26/09... clear golden pour... with grassy hops on the nose... nice bitterness throughout... crisp, clean and a really nice IPA.

on tap at flying saucer in columbia. pours a darker, golden-copper with a thick, white head and solid lacing. aroma is very nice with big, sweet grapefruit and orange citrus notes with touches of pine resin, caramel malts, and a hint of vanilla. flavors is quite good as well with bright citrus hop notes of orange and grapefruit with a sweet, floral ester twist, resinous pine, and sweet toffee malts on the back end. palate is creamy and medium bodied with a lingering bitter finish. overall, a damn nice IPA.

They were Randalling (to borrow a Dogfish term) this puppy at the World Beer Fest in Raleigh, and the hops were fresh as can be. Poured right through fresh hops, my 2-oz pour had about 5 little hop leaves in it. Nice hop bitterness and good skunkiness. Citrus and intense up front, but lovely back palate. A great way to enjoy this brew. Nice one!

Sampled at the Savor DC event. Pours a clear orange amber with a frothy, rocky head. Aroma pine, hop resin and oils with some tropical fruits. Crisp, clean flavor or oranges, pine and citrus zest. Flavorful and drinkable. Quick side note: Jamie and the guys from Foothills were without a doubt some of the nicest guys at the entire event.