Foothills Brewing Hoppyum IPA
I recently went down to the Outer Banks for a brief escape a couple of weeks ago. Whenever I’m down there I make sure to make a run to Chip’s Beer and Wine to pick up a variety of bottles that don’t make it to my neck of the woods in Northern Virginia. This bottle of Foothills Brewing Hoppyum IPA was one of the first that was selected this time around. The North Carolina brewery is one that I hear about often, so I made sure to grab a couple of their products with my purchase.
This 6.25% ABV (and 70 IBU) American IPA is “highly hopped” with a blend of Simcoe, Cascade, and Centennial hop varieties. That combination of hops and the almost balancing malt backbone make for one hell of a tasty IPA. I’m glad that I was able to grab a bottle of Hoppyum IPA and will most certainly be sure to do the same the next time I’m down that way again — that is, unless they start shipping to Virginia first (which sounds like that may be sooner than later).
Appearance
Hoppyum IPA pours with a dense and long-lasting tawny cap of foam atop the golden amber liquid.
Aroma
Grapefruit, pine, a touch of orange and distant grains fill the nose with the welcome scent of IPA.
Taste
Grapefruit, orange and pine fill the mouth quickly as a light, bready malt lingers in the background. Hoppyum has a crisp refreshing mouthfeel that helps to accentuate the solid amount of bitterness that it brings to your palate. It’s medium bodied with a drying, satisfying finish. As the beer warms, a touch of alcohol starts to show through.
Overall
This is an excellent IPA. I’m glad that this was one of the selections that I made shortly after arriving. It’s maybe a bit too drying, but quite good otherwise. The combination of the Simcoe, Cascade and Centennial hops present themselves wonderfully in both the aromatics and flavor. I hope this product starts showing up on shelves in Virginia soon.
Rating: 4/5
