Schlafly Hop Trial: Eureka!
Eureka! is the second of the four beers that I pulled from Schlafly’s Hop Trials variety pack. The gist behind the release is to showcase the effect of various hops on the same beer — a SMaSH (single malt and single hop) offering. First up was the company’s use of Bramling Cross with its peppery tingle and berry influent. With the Eureka! hope variety, the beer becomes a bit more aggressive with a hefty bite and more pronounced pine and grapefruit character.
This beer is why I love projects like this Hop Trial project. Even though this and the previous review use the same base recipe, they are vasty different beers — all due to a single ingredient change. I’ve already mentioned the more apparent bitterness with this beer, but it’s also got a more earthy character with a more pronounced leafy nature, as well. Eureka! also has an overall flavor profile that I would consider more in line with what most American beer drinkers have already experienced as the variety originates from the U.S.
So far so good with the first two beers in Schlafly’s Hop Trial variety pack. Both have been full flavored and have showcased the individual characteristics of each hop beautifully. I don’t believe I can pick a favorite between these as both have presented flavors within their golden depths that I have fully enjoyed. I can’t wait to tackle the next two in the series.
This is a review of a promotional sample.