Two Brothers Hop Juice

Brewed by Two Brothers Brewing Company
Style: Imperial/Double IPA
Warrenville, Illinois USA

Pours a nice light amber color with a very small head. The lacing was minimal at best. The smell was very soapy and citursy. Hops rush the palate, as was expected with this one. There was a nice sweetness in the finish and the beer had an excellent hoppy effect on the palate. This was a crowd pleaser.

22oz. Bomber $5.99 Binny’s Willowbrook 100.1 IBUs Hop Juice poured a beautiful clear dark ruby red. The body absolutely glows when held up toward the light. There was a 1 finger creamy white head upon the pour that faded to a swirling but left lacing on the drop. For the head dying down like it did every sip leaves sheet upon sheet of lacing. The smell is jam packed full of resiny hops. Smells to me like tar made from hops. Maybe that’s though to comprehend but it is what it is. There is a hint of dark fruits that give the malt backbone. Cherries and overripe plum interesting scents to say the least for a IIPA. There’s even a leather and tobacco aroma in there if you keep searching. Unique and interesting. The taste goes right along with the scent in uniqueness. It’s dominated by big resiny hops that coat the entire mouth. A mild sweetness keeps the hops in check. There is tobacco and an earthiness in the flavor that go perfectly with the resiny hops. There are definately rough edges in the taste but it somehow fits the flavors perfectly. I have never had a IIPA that was so resiny before and I’m liking it. Mouthfeel is almost perfect. It’s medium bodied and in no way viscous like some IIPAs tend to be. Mild carbonation lets the brew ease along on it’s own. The strong dose of hops leave a moderate bitterness on the swallow that multiplies with each drink. This one will punish your tongue. I can even feel my bottom lip going numb. Drinkability for a beer of this weight is good. I can find myself getting lost in the earthy flavors and big hops with each sip. I probably wouldn’t drink more than one bomber at a time because of the palate destroying but it is easy to enjoy. I have sampled some of Two Bothers offerings, and to be totally honest, wasn’t expecting a whole lot from this. I’ve never been happier to have been wrong. This is a really unique and interesting beer. There isn’t much like this out there right now. I don’t think it’s something everyone would enjoy but it’s definately worth a try if you see it. 12/16/06

Large 22-oz bottle shared by brewfiend. Poours a hazy yellowish orange brew with a thin, fluffy white head. Aroma has scents of grapefruit, piney and floral hops and something of Lipton’s Iced Tea. Flavor is medium body, some hoppiness and grass taste with a dry bitter aftertaste. This is the first IPA that tasted like an iced tea.

Bottle, from Capone’s (Norristown, PA). Hazy amber color, with a thin tan head. Grapefruit hop aroma, with a some malt. Flavor was heavy on the citric hops, but had good malt backbone. Finish was hoppy and a bit metallic.

Found at the coffee grounds in Eau Claire, WI. Bitter grapefruit hop nose with malty hints. Similar flavor with a lot more malt.

Poured into a RR tulip glass. Cloudy tangerine caramel colour. Initial white head that disapears into a dish soapy puddle. Nose is hop forward as expected and wanted. Taste- grassy hops and biscuity, cookie dough malts. Mouthfeel is creamy and malts are quite sweet. Hops are decent but they don’t jump out at you. Herbal and grassy- not the punch of pine and citrus I would have hoped for. Perhaps bottle is past its prime. The lament of the DIPA seeker. Finishes dry with an odd twang of an aftertaste. Booze is hidden- and is drinkable. Average DIPA.

Clear copper body with a large off-white head leaving good lacings. Another late night tasting with skimpy notes although my overall appreciation is probably trustable. Softly malted body with a light sugary sweetness is totally off-balanced by a more than generous amount of fresh juicy hops. The hops are very citrusy and a little soapy. The fruity bitterness is rather soft considering its hoppiness. Overall this Hop Juice is a hop juice. And that makes this rating about as redundant as a stuttering senile war veteran with a bad case of Alzheimer.

Lots of citrus hops dominate the aroma.Pours a medium copper with a medium off white head.Lots of citrus hops with some nice malt in there as well.Full mouthfeel with a very bitter citrus hop finish.