Lost Rhino Brewing Mother Tupper’s Back of the Cupboard
Mother Tupper’s Back of the Cupboard, brewed by Lost Rhino Brewing, was brewed in conjunction with pioneering beer duo, Bob & Ellie Tupper, makers of Tuppers’ Hop Pocket Ale. At 9.4% ABV and 94 IBU, this imperial rye pale ale celebrates the 94th birthday of Bob’s mother, Lolly Tupper.
Unlike the sweet demeanor of most grandmothers, this big brew packs a punch. Spicy rye and earthy hop notes are present throughout the experience while a backing malt base helps balance everything out. At 94 IBU, you can imagine that the brew has quite the hop bite — and it does, especially as that rye kicks in.
Appearance
A frothy stack of off-white foam rests comfortably atop the rich, amber brew.
Aroma
Earthy rye, caramel, leafy hops and distant bready malts present a fairly tame aroma for anything labeled as “imperial.”
Taste
The nose may have been restrained, but the flavors are anything but that. A solid amount of rye and earthy hop notes arrive immediately as caramel, bread, a moderate-to-high level of sweetness and a palate-punching bitterness wash over the tongue effortlessly. Everything plays well with one another as the brew fades slowly to a warming and long-lasting finish.
Overall
The hop flavors are a bit on the subdued side for a pale ale, but Mother Tupper’s Back of the Cupboard certainly packs a good amount of bitterness into each sip. The spicy, earthy rye addition doesn’t hurt either. I don’t believe this beer is quite as dynamic as Tupper’s Hop Pocket, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it.
Rating: 3.75/5
