H.I.P.A. - Hollister Brewing Co.

photomike

California

3.7/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served on cask at the brewpub.

The label indicates that this was brewed with 50 lbs of hemp seed, presumably the "H" in HIPA.

Pours a nice gold/amber color, slightly hazy, with a one finger head and good retention. Lacing up the wazoo with a solid ring that remained at the top and rings at every stopping point down the beer.

Smell is pretty typical west coast hoppy. Lots of pine with some nice citrus aromas and a little something extra. Rubbing alcohol, maybe.

Taste is a lot of the same. More citrus than was on the nose, pine, and slight earthiness, perhaps from the hemp seed. A noticeable alcoholic bite on the finish. Nothing too impressive, but a solid effort nonetheless.

Mouthfeel is nice. That alcoholic bite is there on the end for sure, but the cask provides that nice velvety smoothness for which it is famous.

Drinkability is only slightly above average. The alcohol is noticeable and Hollister has a dozen beers that are more sessionable than this.

Overall, a pretty good IPA. One of the better beers I've had from Hollister, but nothing to write home about.

Serving type: cask

04-19-2009 18:28:09 | More by photomike