Glassware: Hop Stoopid is an amplified IPA with a huge hop presence in aroma and taste and glassware that helps capture these qualities will take this world class beer to another level. The best option would be the Spiegelau IPA glass, however if this is not an option a snifter or tulip glass is a great choice.

Description: Hop Stoopid pours a clear deep gold with a big fluffy off white head that lingers long and leaves a thick layer of lacing on the glass. The aroma is best described as fresh and clean with huge hop notes of citrus fruits with pine and earthy notes mixed with slight hints of semi-sweet malts. The taste follows the nose with a hop punch up front on the palate with notes of nectarines, lemon, pineapple and oranges being the most dominant. A full semi-sweet caramel malt bill arrives after to sooth the palate. The medium-full body and moderate carbonation aid in creating the perfect vessel for this hop bomb. The perfect dry finish and lack on any appearance of the above average ABV makes this a beer you want more of. The alcohol though will sneak up on you. Hop Stoopid is a must try beer for all who love a great hoppy IPA.

Food pairing: Hop Stoopid is a perfect beer to enjoy with spicier dishes. It also goes with some interesting cheeses that cut through the bitterness. Try pairing Hop Stoopid with a cheese burger piled high with bacon and jalapenos. The spices gravitate toward one another while the natural sweetness of the meat will melt into the malt bill. Try pairing with Mexican dishes; as simple as chips and salsa, tacos carne asada, carnitas or taquitos. If you’re a cheese fan try pairing with Maytag Blue, Humboldt Fog or Bucheron; the creamy mouthfeel of the cheese will cut through the bitterness for a truly dream inducing experience. Hop Stoopid also goes well with an array of desserts, but stay toward the creamy end of desserts for a real treat. Try pairing with vanilla bean ice cream, key lime pie or cheesecake.

The Final Word: Lagunitas is a brewery that needs no introduction to craft beer lovers. Its beers have a reputation that precedes them and they have long been at the forefront of West Coast IPA style. Hop Stoopid, despite first being brewed nearly 10 years ago is still a DIPA that stands prominently in a very crowded market. While many IPA’s can be groundbreaking as the market moves into new directions they seem to lose their luster, but not Hop Stoopid. The strong hop presence and hefty malt backbone are perfect for a DIPA and the price point is undeniably fantastic for a beer this good! Whether you have had Hop Stoopid over a hundred times or are new to it, this is a beer that should be in every craft beer lover’s fridge at all times!

Brewer- Lagunitas Brewing Company

Beer- Hop Stoopid

Style- American Double IPA

ABV- 8 %

Rating: WWWWW

Derek Warren is a beer fanatic, avid homebrewer and beer historian. Derek can be heard weekly on the Beer Geeks Radio Hour at noon on Sundays on WILK 103.1 FM with past episodes available on iTunes.

By Derek Warren

For Weekender

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