Joseph James Brewing Co. | Hop Box IIPA 9.30% ABV

So it isn't news that Imperial/Double/Triple IPA's are killing it but not everybody's as pleased about it as I am...

Others among us are literally rubbing hops all over their bodies. As you may have noticed I fall more on the side of hoppy goatsmilk artisan soap, so I have to put conscious effort into reviewing beers that are not IPA's.

That said, I'm only human and I really can't turn down any pale ale with a hop related pun in its name.

As hypothesized, Hop Box has a high level of hop aroma and bitterness - Simcoe and Cascade, though maybe not as loudly as others of its kind.

This IIPA has a malt profile of darker molasses like flavors that distinguish this beer from a sea of hop bombs. While it isn’t a pure hop bomb the lovely citrus and resinous notes of west coast hops do shine through in addition to bright fruit esters. Thought I detected a touch of tobacco. It pours a warm golden color with a slight haze that adds extra body. Overall phenomenally smooth and drinkable for its high IBU and ABV.

Presentation:

• from the can en route to Vegas in the passenger seat of a teal convertible

• in a dive bar that makes you want to burn your clothes when you get home.

Pairing:

• that SlimJim you forgot was in your glove compartment

• a cigarillo probably

• gas station sunglasses.

No but for real please don't drink and drive. Growling cares.

#review