Nov 8, 2011

2011 Great Northern Brewing Frog Hop

Frog Hop photo

Fresh-hopped ales are only as good as this years crop and, as a result, the flavor may vary from batch to batch. This is what I’ve found to be true with the latest Frog Hop from Great Northern Brewer. The hop character to this beer may not be as pungent as other products that utilize freshly picked hops, but it’s certainly got more punch than last year’s version.

Appearance

Frog Hop pours a golden amber in color with a slight haziness. The large, white head fell slowly to reveal solid lacing along the glass.

Aroma

I didn’t need to look at my notes from last year’s release of this beer to know that it has a much stronger aroma. Hints of grapefruit, grass, pine and an earthiness all come together nicely.

Taste

Again, the brew isn’t overly pungent, but it does pack in some solid hop traits all while remaining smooth drinking. A light biscuity malt component fades quickly into a decent level of hops that carry solid citrus flavors, subtle pine and a leafy character. The bitterness on the palate isn’t too strong but when combined with the fairly crisp mouthfeel, it does present a decent bite.

Overall

While this year’s harvest certainly hasn’t created a different beer entirely, it certainly has presented a more forward hop character to the brew. The fresh flavor and more pronounced hop traits throughout the drinking experience are a plus in my book.

Rating: 4/5

This is a review of a promotional sample received from the brewery.

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