hop in the dark

had me some hop in the dark at st. augustine's on the weekend!!
i think this may be the best cda on the market!

and while i was there it only made sense to have a sampler as well...

i sampled (from left to right):

elysian brewery's the wise esb (5.9%):  subtle smells of caramel, honey, citrus and grassy floral hops entice while the taste delivers a pleasantly bold hop flavor against a very strong malt backbone

i found it well-balanced between strong malts and strong hops - it could do lots of push-ups without breaking a sweat!

boundary bay inside passage ale (6.4%):  as one story goes, a shipwreck washed many cases of ipa to england's shore and the locals tasted the beverage... the rest is history

i didn't find it inspirational, i mean its alright... but that's it, just alright

hopworks organic rise-up red (7.0%):  100% organic.  this full bodied nw red is mahogany smooth and hopped to the rafters with locally grown cascade and centennial hops

i find this one oh so hoppy and delicious - love love love the full body when it comes with a side of major hoppiness!

deschutes twilight summer ale (5.0%):  solid malt foundation pairs with distinctive amarillo hops for flavors every ibt as intriguing as bigger, heavier ales

this is a damned fine summer ale - it tastes like sunshine on a patio with nary a fruit flavour

i don't always feel like a fruit!