Hopping Mad - J.W. Lees & Co (Brewers) Ltd

soulgrowl

United Kingdom (England)

3.5/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Outstandingly long-lasting head, the color of old parchment on a body just one shade of garnet darker than Dr. Pepper. Mild, leafy-herbal hops with a touch of cheese dominate the nose; the malts are quite shy and only give off the slightest wisp of brown sugar or raisins. The taste is rather amazingly hoppy yet not bitter; the hops taste very fresh, like an actual green hop cone: leafy, slightly woody and resinous. Well-balanced with a tea-like character and a bit of earthy honey. Dry all around with a delicately bitter finish, and spot-on, light and mild carbonation that fits the understated flavor well. Good stuff, though except for the skillful and deliberate use of hops, there isn't much to write home about here.

Serving type: cask

05-03-2009 08:34:12 | More by soulgrowl

jwc215

New Jersey

4.18/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Cask in London:

Pours dark garnet with a frothy/creamy tan head. Nice lacing sticks.

The smell is hoppy - fruity/citric, slightly tart, with a touch of toffee.

The taste is of dark-ish fruits, toffee. Malty but not sweet. Nice hop touch, though not too bitter, either. Slight touch of tart. Nicely balanced between sweet, tart and bitter. Solid Hop character, with a touch of roast too. Complex, in a somewhat subtle way. Dark, yet light.

Full-bodied for the abv. Very creamy.

"Hopping mad", yet malt and roast are there too. A very interesting brew. Unique, tasty and very easy to drink. Very enjoyable!

Serving type: cask

04-22-2009 01:30:05 | More by jwc215