Here’s a new beer that has come my way from the brewer, for my comment. It’s just hitting the tap and shelves today.

Crystal Lake Brewing, in McHenry County has done a few Hazy Pale Ales, including one which I talked about before. This time, they’ve gone in for an Imperial version, which they’ve dubbed Hoptopus.

The beer, which is available starting February 8, is listed at 8.5% abv, with just 30 IBU. That’s a low measurement of bitterness, so the hops, which are not identified in their promotion, seem to aimed at flavor. So let’s pop it open.

Right under the tab, I got a whiff of dander-like Citra hop. It stays there as I pour, then is slowly pushed aside by mango and papaya. The beer in the glass is hazy… in fact it’s opaque. Kind of like a pineapple juice with white highlight. There’s a tall head of foam that takes its time going down, leaving some rows of lace along the side of the glass.

The tropical fruit from hops is right there in the first sip. Yet, it still carries a lot of piney bitterness. The alcohol is there to warm up the taste. I’m also getting a bit of a creamy mouthfeel, perhaps from some oat in the grain bill. Or just lightly toasted barley.

While I’ve enjoyed a lot of IPAs over the years, including many “Imperial” versions, there have not yet been many that are considered “Hazy Imperials,” also considered a “New England” style. Those I have had were largely local. But this can be considered along with a Hop Butcher or maybe even one of Dogfish Head’s IPAs.

Crystal Lake Hoptopus