Simcoe, is a registered trademark of Select Botanicals Group, is new hybrid hop variety similar to Cascade. It's all the rage in American craft brewing, due to its powerful, citrusy aroma and astringent bitterness. So when I saw this beer as the monthly special at Bruisin' Ales I jumped to buy a 22 oz. bottle. Having had other brews from Weyerbacher I knew I was in for a treat.
The beer poured with a rich, foamy head that filled half the imperial pint glass despite my gentle pour. It took a few minutes to subside, which I occupied by noshing on some exellent 'za from Digable Pizza of West Asheville. If you haven't tried this West Asheville pizza joint, go there now.
Back to the beer. The nose was redolent of ruby red grapefruit, a citrus I absolutely love, and the color was a medium, rich reddish-gold. In case it's not obvious from the above paragraph, the brew is very well carbonated. The initial sip was very smooth, with an alcoholic bite coupled with powerful hop bitterness. Registering 9 % ABV, and with the citrus hoppiness, this beer is heaven in a pint glass. A beer worth sharing and savoring.
Mark,
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you enjoyed the Weyerbacher Double Simcoe. When it came out last year Carolyn and I were blown away by it. We went through a few cases in no time! We took some out to our friend in KS when we visited in July....we shared some with a friend of his who is an experienced homebrewer, he could not believe how freakin' awesome it was....all he kept saying was how balanced it was and is it really 9%?! Good thing for us DS lovers is that WB has decided to brew it year round now--oringinally it was going to be seasonal only.
p.s. I see that Brewgrass tix are on sale...should we go ahead and get our now? Also, we met some nice Asheville folk at the Dark Lord Day at 3 Floyd's, John and Melissa Kledis. We plan on hooking up with them when we come down in September. Take care.