Hop Hearty Ale
Appearance - This is clear, dark orange in color, almost brown, with a thick, foaming head that left some good lacing. Smell - This is a big 'un. The huge piney hops and heavily-toasted malts stand out at the nose. I can also pick up some lighter citrus sugar notes. Taste - The malts turn almost dark at the taste, and the hops are in full effect. This is East Coast hopping at its finest. Mouthfeel - The almost full body will floor you. This is not for the faint of heart. It is very flat with a huge mouthful of malt in every bite and a sharp, pine and citrus hop punch that keeps you busy. Chugability - If The Bros knew how fast I sucked this one down they would probably delete my review. Comments - Garthwaite took it to the house with this offering from New Glarus. It is my first from this venerable brewery and I hope not my last. Cheers, mate! Update - I had the wonderful opportunity to pop a bottle of this again in 2008. The hop profile is classic. The bitter grapefruit and peach especially stand out. Other than the fact that it doesn't seem as big in the body as I first wrote - I'd call it medium - this is right on.