Hop Blanc
Origin: Peak Organic Brewing Company (Portland, Maine, USA)
Style: White IPA
ABV: 6.4%
IBU: Not Listed
Description: Hop Blanc pours a beautiful pale yellow straw color with brilliant orange hues shining through. Immediately when it is poured into a glass, aromas of coriander, orange, and pepper come wafting up with subtle hop characters of citrus and pine following the Belgian witbier yeast character.
Upon first taste it appears to be a Belgian witbier on steroids. Coriander, grain and herbal-spice are the first thing to hit the taste buds followed by a sharp bitterness and subtle flavours of citrus and pine. The bottled on date says it was bottled in May of this year so it is to be expected that much of the hop flavour and aroma has dissipated with this six months of age.
Overall I felt this was a great beer regardless of the age. Hop Blanc’s light yet pungent flavour would go perfectly with seafood dishes with assertive flavours such as steamed mussels with wilted wild oyster greens, white wine, and harrisa. Pescado A La Veracruzana (whole snapper with tomatoes, capers, olives and herbs). Or pan roasted porgy with crispy fennel salad.
If you were looking for a similar beer I would first go with Deschutes Chainbreaker White IPA or Brasserie d’Achouffe’s Houblon Chouffe Dobbelen IPA Tripel. These beers will not be identical to this beer but both will fill the gap with a wonderful Belgian yeast character and an assertive hop profile. – O.P.
Legacy's Holiday Beer ADVENTure 