May 4, 2016

Starr Hill The Hook

I’ve said it before on several occasions here at The Barley Blog, but I don’t believe an IPA can be sessionable, even if the alcohol content fits within the appropriate percentage parameters. One’s palate and tastebuds simply cannot sustain several rounds of IBU busting pints. And such is the case with Starr Hill’s The Hook.

This 4.9% ABV IPA is billed as a sessionable example of the style with the addition of grapefruit zest. Now, the bonus of more grapefruit is perfectly fine by me and, in fact, it wholly compliments the hop blend nicely here. Even at 38 IBUs, the beer isn’t overly bitter, but after just two bottles, I was ready to move on — not because the beer is bad (it’s not). I needed to take a step away from the pine, citrus and grassy notes the beer provided.

I really like The Hook. It’s a solid IPA with great flavor and an outstanding aroma. The beer is a bit thin on the tongue, much like its peers in the “sessionable IAP” realm, but it’s flavor more than makes up for that. And at the slightly lower than average alcohol potency, it’s not going to wreck your afternoon. I’m just ready to move on from tagging everything sessionable in the market and simply enjoy a damn fine beer.

This is a review of a promotional sample.