Brew Detective | Hen House | Stoked

I'm saddened to know what's happening in County Paradiso, as well as the surrounding counties I know and love. We know first hand the havoc being wrought. Big thoughts and much love goes out to all of California as it again deals with raging wild fires. The entire state is in flames. My heart is heavy and I will write this quick review as a reminder to the people, places and beauty that I love. I give my thoughts to the mastery and bravery of Cal Fire as they combat this breathing monster. I hope they remain safe as they pursue the safety of others. I love you California.

Hen House | Stoked | Single Hop Pale Ale

Some of the tastiest beer in Sonoma County is brewed by Hen House. Centennial Hops were used to brew this delicious pale ale. The pale, murky-yellow ale has a strong nose. Good carbonation and a lasting head combine to enhance aromas of hops and malt.  Taste and aromatics match up well. I was Stoked to score a four pack from a local bottle shop here in PDX. I hadn't seen a Hen House can in a minute. It made me nostalgic. I was glad to grab some. Now I'm just hoping for the best, for one of the best places on earth. Be safe California.

drink craft beer responsibly,

80choices.

Brew Detective: Animal Friends | Brut IPA

Hen House and Crooked Goat teamed up for a collaborative take on a Brut IPA. I was told that the only difference was during the dry-hopping process, which was done at each breweries' facility. The result, Animal Friends, the label is an obvious nod to Orwell's Animal House.

For the sake of this review, I will be describing the Hen House concoction. They distributed this limited release in a 4-pack of pint-sized cans, which I was lucky enough to score. Crooked Goat's take was only available in-house.

An almost opaque yellow assembled into the glass, as if a bail of hay was turned into liquid. Pineapple punched out of the can, overwhelming the front end. A decent head dissolved quickly once poured. Tasting however provided a different story. It was not as juicy or fruity as the nose suggested. Dryness prevailed early and became more noticeable on the finish. Cheers to the local craft brewers who not only produce great beer, but create an energy within our community. Animal Friends (6.3%) may have escape your enjoyment this time. But you can still check out Hen House and Crooked Goat.

Cheers,

eightychoices

Brew Detective: Time Is Flat Circle | Hen House

TIME IS A FLAT CIRCLE

Guess who's back on the case? Those weathered and dedicated detectives from Brew Detective, I mean, True Detective. Joking and namesakes aside, Hen House has crafted another unique and tasty IPA, Time Is A Flat Circle. The name is pretty cool, uncanny if you will. 

Nosing around you'll unearth fruity-melon and muted peppercorn scents. Glowing and dense this beer means business. The mouth feel is a definite plus. Bitterness lingers though the finish as it softens. Muddled together but not lost, early flavors coalesce. I noticed a grainy earthiness, which put the focus squarely onto the hoppy bitterness. Time Is A Flat Circle adds nice diversity to the Hen House lineup, it's different and I like it. 

Time Is A Flat Circle | 6.8%
Hops: Huell Melon & Mosaic

Cheers,
eightychoices.

Brew Detective: Hen House | Philadelphia Experiment

Hen House just keeps crushing it. I have a reputable friend who has suggested that they are now the top brewery in the county! The Philly Experiment is a bit hazy but tastes lighter than the body of the beer suggests. A nice pillow rests atop the opaque straw-yellow nectar, which glows with a tinge of orange. This tasty libation has legs in the glass, it leaves its mark.

The aromas are murky, almost trying to trick your senses. Tropical tasting notes prevail on the front end. There's a dry quality at the finish, an encouraging component to assist you in drinking more. Philadelphia Experiment is brewed with Simcoe, Enigma and Vic's Secret hops. Chances are this IPA will disappear quickly, just as the USS Eldridge did in the Philadelphia Naval Yard back in 1943. 6.0%

Enjoy responsibly,
eightychoices.

Brew Detective: Hen House | Blanc Helicopters

Hen House ~ IPA

Subtle juice aromas hit initially, and the slightest hint of funk, piquing curiosity. Heavy in color, a dialogue ensues, malty-oranges and hazy straw-yellows interact. It churns into the glass.

The first taste entertains a soft bitterness, which I preferred. The over all presentation is unique, yet not overwhelming. Helicopters highlights the Hallertau Blanc hops. A pleasing mixture of stone fruit and hop-induced lusciousness quarrel for attention—neither too sweet, nor too bitter. The hop prevails, yum. Blanc Helicopters is super drinkable. Dare I say, this is my favorite IPA from Hen House...

Be on the lookout for Blanc Helicopters (7%).

Enjoy Responsibly,

eightychoices.

Brew Detective: Denver Airport

Hen House is a top choice for me when I see it at my local grocery stores. Today they released Denver Airport, a new IPA that will hopefully become a regular within their rotation. The story behind this IPA is almost as good as the beer itself—just look up the conspiracies theories that are linked to the Denver airport. Hen House used Citra, Hallertau Blanc and Ekuanot hops to create a very palatable IPA with the right amount of bitterness. It also helps that the ABV is 6.3%, however, your four pack may disappear quickly too. 

When opening the can the first scent I thought of was pineapple. Denver Airport pours thick, like a hop milk shake, but it is not entirely opaque. A lasting and substantial head protects the top of the ale. The scent was a bit muted once in the glass. Bitterness hits initially, before transitioning into a smooth finish. If you happen to see this latest release from Hen House I suggest grabbing some. 

Enjoy responsibly,

eightychoices.

Brew Detective: Hollow Moon

Hollow Moon IPA

Hen House, one of Sonoma County's best breweries, has yet again crafted a very tasty beer. Hollow Moon is another of their outstanding IPA's. Not only do they brew top-notch pale ales, IPA's and Saisons, their branding is just awesome. Much of the art adorning their four packs are some of the best in the business. Hollow Moon and Frozen Envelope are two of my favorites in flavor and artistically.

Hollow Moon weighs in at 6.7% and is brewed with Sorachi Ace and Mosaic hops. The nose is both fruity and hop forward. The blending of those characteristics is done flawlessly, neither is dominant, they work in cooperation. There is a particular fruit nuance I can't quite place, pear perhaps? The lushness of the fruit is matched perfectly by the hop profile that prevails without being too resinous or piny. Pouring a cloudy, hay-yellow, the top is adorned by a nice foam. Mango and toasted coconut are tasting notes that the brewer gives in its description. I can get behind the mango nuance, I didn't taste the toasted coconut however. Look for Hen House at local North Bay grocers.

Enjoy responsibly,

eightychoices.

Brew Detective: Hen House FROZEN ENVELOPE

Frozen Envelope » Hen House 

Brewers at Hen House are always up to something, beer fans of the North Bay are the lucky consumers. On July 18th, in the summer of 2017, Hen House canned a pretty awesome IPA. This India Pale Ale was given a name, Frozen Envelope. The inspiration, artwork, and beer, all get an A-plus. Hopefully the photo does the can-art some justice. I mean, there's a chicken wearing old school Adidas sneakers next to a basketball, with "The Angel of Stern" looming in the background, holding the envelope. The envelope for which this beer is named, and strongly-rumored to have landed the New York Knicks, Patrick Ewing in the 1985 NBA Draft. 

Lush pineapple juice hits your nose once cracked open and snouting about. The opaque liquid packs a voluminous punch of hops, even if it looks a bit like fresh-pressed apple juice. Be aware of the heavy sediment at the bottom. These hop-bombs are to be enjoyed within 21 days of canning. Again, the taste is all IPA with a heavy hop character.

Idaho 7 and Ahntanum hops somewhat bully the cooperative Conan yeast. This possible onetime IPA was available at the Hen House tap room in Santa Rosa. Local grocers were supplied with pint-sized four-packs (I gave a pack as a gift and kept one). If you've been lucky enough to hold a Frozen Envelope, it sure feels good knowing you picked the right one. Drink responsibly. 6.2% abv

eightychoices.

PUBlication: Six Pack

mmm beer

I began writing about my beer obsession last year, so I'll continue on with it. As before, I will be ranking my favorite ales of the year that were either new to the market as a whole or simply, new to me. The list below will showcase my six pack of preferred libations. There will also be an additional little something for those that need to get their fix more regularly—not all of my faves are so easy to get your hands on. The more readily accessible shall be called, bottles and cans. Have fun this holiday season and enjoy these craft beers responsibly. Cheers.

Laurelwood Brewing Co. | Portland, OR | Workhorse IPA
Thankfully my cousin brought me down one of the more epic beers from Oregon. Workhorse is a former national champion IPA. Hops and malts meld to make an aromatic medley. This is a delicious ale worth finding and drinking. Don't age this one, just consume it. 7.5% | 80 IBUs

Kern River Brewing Co. | Kernville, CA | Just Outstanding IPA

Perhaps the most remote brewery on this year's list comes from Kernville, California. Kern River Brewing crafts an absurdly good IPA, so good, that it's aptly named Just Outstanding. This is one of the few India pale ales that embraces delicate smoothness. Thanks to my fairy hop-father who brought me back one from his beer journey south. 6.8%

Tap It Brewing | San Luis Obispo, CA | IPA

There is no name needed to further elaborate on this IPA. Tap It Brewing simply labels their IPA with those three letters. A Tropical nose opens up to a more fruit-forward flavor. If you're a hop lover, get your hands on this beer and drink it fresh. 7% | 70 IBUs

Hen House Brewing Co. | Petaluma\Santa Rosa, CA | IPA (Tropical)

Locally brewed and new to the scene, Hen House is upping their game as they continue to brew elaborate ales of all kind. I was able to enjoy this ale at The Garden in Community Market, it's great when your local grocer has a taproom—kegs of this beast went out in early October. The brewer's notes call this IPA, brewed with Pacific Jade, Chinook and El Dorado hops, a tropical fruit city. 7.9%

Russian River Brewing | Santa Rosa, CA | Ales for ALS & Hop 2 It Comet

Ales for ALS is an IPA brewed by Russian River that benefits the ALS Therapy Development Institute. This is a pub-only draft that is brewed with Citra, Mosaic, and experimental hops, HBC 291, 436, 366, and 344. This IPA was full of fresh exciting flavors, I'm thankful I had some. 6.4%

Hop 2 It (Comet) is a single hop ale that rotates hops each time it is brewed. Usually brewed from experimental hops from the Northwest that are so new that they are labeled with only numbers (see above). This batch however was made with Comet hops and thus the namesake. Of all the Hop 2 It's, Comet has been my favorite. 5.8%

Fulton Brewing Co. | Minneapolis, MN | Lonely Blonde

Once a year I tend to find myself in Minnesota hanging out with my brother-in-law as he begins to educate me on the finer ales and brewers within the burgeoning Twin Cities brew scene. Fulton Brewing Company was a newcomer to my world. I had it on draft a Matt's, home of the OG Jucy Lucy, it paired quite well with a burger and basket of fries. I also had my share via the six packs that my family had stocked. The Land of 10,000 Lakes has amazing fresh water, duh—no wonder the beer is good. The Lonely Blonde may just be the best American Blonde on the market right now. 4.8% | 29 IBUs

Looking for something to take home? Bottles and cans and just clap your hands...
Citrus Mistress | Hop Valley | 6.5%  80 IBUs
Hops of Wrath | Dust Bowl | 6.6% 50 IBUs
Soul Style | Green Flash | 6.5% 75 IBUs
Pinner | Oskar Blues | 4.9% 35IBUs

Happy Holidays,

eightychoices.