Try?
I was in a difficult position. A lifelong New England Patriots fan transplanted to Georgia, it was more than a little awkward wearing my Patriots bling in the heart of Atlanta Falcons country. Normally, that’s not an issue; Georgia is full of transplants. The difference now, though, was that we were playing the Falcons in the Superbowl. Yes, that’s an important distinction indeed.
That divide was further defined when I went to Target to pick up the Samuel Adams Brewnited 12-pack for the big game. When I got there, there was a large display of Samuel Adams beers for Patriots fans and Sweetwater and Terrapin beers for Falcons supporters. I got my Brewnited pack and headed home with two bottles each of:
· Samuel Adams Fresh as Helles
· Samuel Adams Hopscape
It’s the Samuel Adams Hopscape that I'm here to tell you about today, friends. I first tried this beer on tap at Taco Mac on February 9th, a few days after the Patriots amazing Superbowl come-from-behind victory. Hopscape is an American wheat ale, and a tasty one at that, crisp and refreshing, wheaty tart and quite hoppy, too.
From the website:
Four types of West Coast hops add bold notes of pine and juicy grapefruit to this deep golden wheat ale, for a crisp flavor that’s a refreshing escape from winter’s lingering chill.
Ingredients, also from the website:
Hop Varieties: Zeus, Centennial, Citra, Chinook
Malt Varieties: Samuel Adams two-row pale malt blend, White wheat
Samuel Adams Hopscape has an alcohol content of 5.5% by volume with 30 IBUs. I paid $5.50 for a 20-ounce mug at Taco Mac, and got a few bottles in the 12-pack for $13.29. My bottles are marked as best before May of 2017.
My mug of Samuel Adams Hopscape arrived a cloudy yellow white color with a medium sized head of fluffy foam and passion fruit, citrus and melon in the nose. Taking a sip, I get tart wheat in the palate, then hints of resin and citrusy grapefruit all leading into a long dry bitter hop finish.
An interesting and refreshing brew, one I will certainly enjoy again. The price is right and it is tasty, though I think that offering this as a seasonal winter brew is a bit odd. It strikes me as a perfect quenching spring and summer refresher.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft
