Beer – #731 – Ben Middlemiss – Hodgson IPA
I brought me a beer again that has a recommend to cellar for a few year, like that’s going to happen. Well it might, but it isn’t likely. A hearty IPA, something to raise an eyebrow.
“Christened after the London brewer George Hodgson“
This is a long neck taller 500ml bottle, which has beer of 8.8% ABV, 264 calories a serve, and the whole is 3.5 standard drinks worth.
Good old fashioned IPA for a good old fashioned man
Hodgson is another great ale from New Zealand veteran brewer Ben Middlemiss. Christened after the London brewer George Hodgson, this hearty “India Pale Ale” hearkens back to the 1700’s when ales were highly hopped to be shipped unrefrigerated to the colonies.
NB: hearken means to “pay heed” and indeed you should, as the uplifting NZ Motueka and Kohatu hops in this modern iteration of a classic style will fill your sails and transport you too!
This classic ale will develop for 4-5 years if kept under ideal cellar conditions. Serve at 10-12C (50-55F). Decant into a glass large enough to accommodate the entire bottle in one smooth pour. Enjoy!
So, what could possibly go wrong? Apart from pouring the sediment into the glass?
The aroma on this is really quite rich and fruity and full and rather strong.
What a brilliance of bright brown orange that is, and the head is an orange tinged white but very small yet persistent. Didn’t pour that sediment in, feeling chuffed.
Then there is that intense bitterness burst, which is intense and full, and deliciously orange fruity, You get a full pungent rich malt nose before you sup too, which leads you think perhaps it’d be sweeter than it is, it isn’t sweet.
Has a really full mouthfeel, quite chewy, if you will. What an unusual pleasure this is, a really strong full flavoured dIPA that is rather low on the hops and full on the malts and other flavours.
Intense then, but weirdly mellow and rather smooth drinking, and a delight really.
The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 9 of its things from the thing. Gargantuan is a word you might use to describe this as a beer, it really is a big experience, and some of that might be a problem as you sit and enjoy it, because it doesn’t let up and is all boom-boom-boom. But I found it easy going for the most part, and it is surprisingly mellow, perhaps despite my bigging up the flavour intensity. Also no idea that this is a stronger beer, and that it’ll lead you astray. I really enjoyed this, and I think you might too.
The double dip review
- Where did I get it? The nice people at Blanc Out West.
- Am I enjoying it? I am rather enthusiastic about it.
- Would I have another? I could easily have another, easily.
- Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? Gosh yes, this is a brilliant dIPA beer that isn’t all about hops and bitterness but has tonnes of malt and flavour apparent from the get go, it’s a bit full and intense, but it is very rewarding.
Music for this: ” Daughter ” and ” Not to Disappear ” on Spotify Daughter is an indie folk band from England. Fronted by North London native Elena Tonra.
I really enjoyed listening to the music in the background when I was having the brilliant experience in the foreground.
IMPERIAL/DOUBLE IPA
Imperial IPA, Double IPA or DIPA is a strong, often sweet, intensely hoppy version of the traditional India Pale Ale. Bitterness units range upward of 100 IBUs and alcohol begins at 7.5% but is more commonly in the 8.5-10% range. The flavour profile is intense all-round. Unlike barley wines, the balance is heavily towards the hops, with crystal and other malts providing support.
