Reviewing the Galaxy Imperial Single Hop IPA from the Hill Farmstead Brewery. Thank you Jason for sending me this brew!Score: 94
No bottling date, but this one was picked up from the brewery approximately one week ago. Served in a stemmed Hill Farmstead snifter and enjoyed on 04/04/12.
Appearance: Pours a hazy and transclucent golden yellow color. One-plus fingers of cream colored seafoam head at pour settles into a thin layer atop the glass. Amazing lacing, undying retention. This IPA is beautiful. 5/5
Smell: Huge notes of fresh tropical citrus. Grapefruit, pineapple, lemon, apricot and mango. Fresh pine and freshly cut grass. Candied grapefruit too. 4.5/5
Taste: The aroma's hops were piney and a bit leafy, but the flavor's hops are downright earthy. Heavy, sticky and earthy hops pummel the palate along with light, complex, juicy and sweet tropical citrus flavors to balance out the hoppy bitterness. Pineapple, grapefruit, orange, mango and lemon. Maybe a little peach and apricot. Definitely detecting some "fresh mulch" or dirt-like flavor from the earthy hops (but not in a bad way, despite how bad such a descriptor might sound). The flavor throughout is very consistent: heavy hops with a sweet juicy citrus backhone. Finishes with a lingering earthy hop bitterness. 4.5/5
Mouthfeel: Light-medium bodied with low carbonation. The lesser carbonation works really well with the heavy, earthy hops on the palate. Juicy mouthfeel. Bitter finish. 4/5
Overall: Another home run from Hill Farmstead, who are quickly proving to me that they are the northeast masters of hops. If you liked Half Acre's Double Daisy Cutter, you will absolutely enjoy this one too.
Recommendation: If you like your IPA's juicy, and especially if you like heavier, earthier hops in your beer, then seek this one out. Short of the most casual beer drinker and the most cynical hop hater, I feel the remainder of beer enthusiasts out there could/should/would enjoy this one.
Pairings: Home grilled hamburgers with plenty of garlic and mango BBQ sauce.
Cost: $9 for a 750 ml swing-top bottle (plus a $3 deposit).
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