Pizza Port Hop 15

Brewed by Port Brewing/Lost Abbey
Style: Imperial/Double IPA
San Marcos, California USA

Absolutely fantastic Hop Monument. RIch and malty with a huge lineup of hops that are sure to please hopheads everywhere - what a treat that Port brews are now available in Washington State bottle shoppes. Hops dominate but are well balanced with a rich malt backbone. Every hop component is distilled into this drink, heavy pine cone essence that is very resiny and acidic - which stings on the finish if you let is marinate on your lips, and that could be one bothersome aspect if huge Hop Bombs are not your bag. The high-ABV is well hidden and does not dominate the nose or tongue.

On Tap @ O’Brien’s. Murky, brackish, dirty brown color with thin tan head. Aroma is light with hop notes mixed with a snipped of malts. Tastes just as it looks. I’ve brewed many a beer that looks just like this. Feels right at home. Chewy caramel maltiness mixed with a pine, slightly citrus, slight green (wet) hoppiness. Great mix. Refreshing brew for an IIPA.

Ok finally got around to trying this one after picking it up at the Angel’s Share release. Needed to open it soon so I could have it fresh. Pours out a nice orange but light carbonation keeps the head down to a minimum. Oh man...as I pour the thing the hops smack me in the face, I don’t even have to get my nose close to the glass at all. However, upon smelling further I picked up pine, grapefruit, and even more sticky hops. I know you have badass hops in your beer when the air smells "heavy" or "sticky" (maybe I’m crazy but that’s what I smell). Upon first sip I get an overwhelming bitterness yet somehow Pizza Port still manages to balance this hell of a beer out with a light sweetness to finish. This is one fine example of what a double IPA should be all about.

Thanks to brock_landers for trading this to me. Pours a dark, slightly hazy copper with a small off white head and sticky lacing. The aroma is wonderful. Big piney hops, ripened fruits, caramel malts. Flavor is a ball buster. Bitter sticky hops, massive pine, rich malts. The mouthfeel is thick, bitter and dryish. Did I mention that it is bitter!!!!!!!&# This is a real treat. Thanks again.

Bottle thanks to MrChopin, Thanks Kevin!! Aroma has notes of citrus, resin, caramel, raisins. Very good nose. Medium orange amber hue with a very small fully diminishing head that left no lace. Flavor is nice and sweet with a nice bitter finish. Palate is medium to full bodied and oily flat. Fantastic DIPA. I love the sweet caramel malts and the citrus pine hops. The head was nowhere but that’s ok. Very nice.

22. Thanks...uuh, I think thanks to Follish_mortal. Pours thick and slowly surging coppery dark amber, fairly cloudy, with thick orangeish tan head. Decent lacing. Humongous sweet pine, fresh squeezed citrus, and spice nose, just as the brewer promises. Fairly thick body that manages to fall just shy of syrupy--pretty amazing, that. Tingly, active carb. Huge washes of caramel undernearth tsunamis of citrus, tropical fruit, pine, and a creosote wash at the end. Truly every conceivably hop flavor in one. Great stuff.

Sample while judging Alpha King 2009 Contest at Falling Rock. My choice for #1, no offense to Mountain Sun. Copper colored. Huge piney hop aroma. Extremely balanced IIPA. Sticky hops, delicious, malty balance. Great Great beer

Bottle: Pours a mild copper with a thick sandy head. Nice lacing. Aroma is a simple medley of citrus and florals with bits of caramel. Flavor is wrapped in hops; citrus, floral, and hints of pine. Nice sweet maltiness to back up the bitters in the tail. Simple, elegant, and overall magnificent. One of my new favorites.