Hop Ottin' IPA is the newest member of the Anderson Valley canned family. The brewery decided to replace their Poleeko Gold Pale Ale with their IPA and we think it was a great decision (since we love hops). The can sports the new design being used  by AVBC so look for it on cans of their Boont Amber and Summer Solstice Cerveza Crema as well. 

From the Anderson Valley site:

"Hop Ottin’ IPA is as hoppy as they come. The name means “hard working hops,” in Boontling, and that tells it all. Generous additions of high-alpha Pacific Northwest hops added during a vigorous boil, plus traditional dry hopping, with whole hop cones, give this ale a delicious citrus aroma, and an intense hoppy bite. This IPA is a hop lover’s dream.”

Here we go...

Pour - bright golden in color with a nice clean look with a decent sized stark white head. Things are looking good in this glass. I'm ready to dive in, both figuratively and literally...who wouldn't want to swim in a big glass of IPA!

Aroma - a little grassy, some nice citrus aromas, a bit of sweet caramel and maltiness as well. Not a huge amount of fresh hops in the nose, it's a lot more subtle.

Taste - a big swig from the glass and my mouth is flooded with both maltiness and hoppiness in equal parts. I think my palate is a little confused as its trying hard to focus on whether this is super hoppy or if its super balanced. In the end it finds a happy medium. It's sort of both. There are a lot of nice citrusy, resiny hoppy notes that are well paired with the sweetness that a significant grain bill offers. Their is a slight bit of butteriness that I catch, not sure if that's the yeast or not. Finishes sweet but dry with a lasting bitterness that stays on the tongue. 

Overall - very well rounded IPA. Love this on tap and love it from the can. Plenty of hoppy bitterness but well balanced and extremely refreshing. At 7% this one will sneak up on you!

Would I buy more of it? - absolutely. This would be perfect for camping or a round or two of disc golf. I love that they've started canning their IPA! 

Note - Did you know that Anderson Valley has a disc golf course at their brewery? I hope to get a post up about their sustainability projects and their disc golf course and how canning their beers ties in. Also, major thanks goes out to Anderson Valley for sending samples of each of their canned offerings. Cheers!