Thomas Hooker Summit Single Hop XPA - Thomas Hooker Brewing Company

Durge

Connecticut

4.28/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Enjoyed on cask at Backstage Restaurant in Torrington, CT. This extra hopped pale ale shows a hazy yellow amber color with no head or lace outside a few lazy bubbles. The nose picks up immediate, sharp citrus over bready yeast. Nice hop heaven here, a bit of cat piss! The flavor brings out a blend of citrus intensity and sweet lemon bread with a tempered yeast idea. All very much in keeping with the aroma. This stuff is solidly medium body with the typical cask limp feel. Wonderful hop flavor. Loved it!

Serving type: cask

02-02-2013 06:52:09 | More by Durge

tryemdad

Connecticut

2.61/5  rDev -29.6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Single hop is perhaps an over-statement. This one is very simple and focused - to a fault.

Appearance is lacking, right off the pour. Where's the signature "cloudiness" of a hoppy brew? Limited, bubbly lacing. Not much to this overall...disappointing from a homegrown favorite.

Maybe it's my frustration at not being ale to identify this "single hop," but this one didn't do it for me. Mild bitterness...which isn't necessary bad, but it's a "flat" bitterness, no complexity at all....no floral aroma.

Serving type: on-tap

04-16-2013 22:59:06 | More by tryemdad

Gambrinus1184

Connecticut

4.24/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a 32-oz. growlette into a snifter glass.

A: Poured a very bright, golden color with a slight orange tinge and chill haze beneath a thin veil of creamy, white carbonation which left little lacing on the glass.

S: Very aromatic hops which range from catty to lemon peel to hints of peppery, grapefruit juice. There's a slight grain husk scent in the background, but the nose is decidedly hop-forward.

T: Quite the tasty blend of mild, toasted grains up front with a slight buttery, herbal quality which segues nicely into the assertive, yet crisp hop profile. Bitterness starts off sharp and peppery with a slight lemon peel flavor which leaps into a much more fruity, citrus arena. The finish is very dry and snappy with a catty and grassy hop finish.

M: Crisp, clean and enjoyable mouthfeel, this brisk, light malts and bracing hop profile make this an easy-drinking and consistent extra pale.

O: A single-hop pale ale with a very sessionable ABV and impressive IBUs to bolster a light malty backbone, Summit XPA is an impressive and exciting new prospect for Thomas Hooker. Here's hoping to see some cask-conditioned versions of this ale or new single-hop installments in an "XPA series." As it's brewery draft-only for now, I'd certainly get it again and recommend it as a must-try at the next weekend tasting event.

Serving type: growler

02-23-2013 14:51:13 | More by Gambrinus1184