Starr Hill Mountain Air
Starr Hill’s Mountain Air (7% ABV) reminds me of an old school IPA. There’s nothing fancy or pretentious about it. It’s not unfiltered, hazy, juicy, what have you. It’s simply a solid, well-balanced and easy drinking beer.
Brewed with an un-specified blend of “C-hops” (usually Centennial, Cascade, Chinook, etc…), Mountain Air is billed as an East Coast IPA. What does that mean? Well, typically these types of beer’s aren’t overly fruity, but provide, instead a more balanced presentation of malt flavors and hop influence. And that’s exactly what this portion of the company’s Hopped as Hell variety pack has.
A solid malt backbone brings in a well-rounded mix of grain, caramel and light sweetness while the hop blend provides an earthy quality, grassy notes, pine and grapefruit. It’s a flavor profile that reminds me of days gone when IPAs were either extreme hop-bombs packed with maximum bitterness or easy drinking, sit-on-the-back-porch affairs. Mountain Air is a great example of the latter.
There’s nothing life-altering or world-shattering with this beer and there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s quite simply a nicely balanced and even IPA. The solid hop profile refreshing bite keeps a welcome malt base in check smoothly. I really enjoy beers like this. You can simply pour a glass, put your feet up and drink a beer without having to think. I like not thinking.
This is a review of a promotional sample.