Beer Reviews

Hustle (India Pale Ale)

Off at the crack of the bat, spikes dug in, exploding with speed – Hustle breaks the game wide open. This India Pale Ale takes a hard, hoppy cut at a soft, fluffy hanging curve, driving notes of peach, tangerine and citrus back, back, back…gone.

Reviews are done by Jim Matt, our Chief Science Officer, who is also a veteran FoBAB judge, GABF judge, and BJCP Master judge.

Malts: Pale Ale, Maris Otter, White Wheat

Hops: Amarillo, Mosaic, Idaho 7

Beer on canning line

Hustle is an IPA with Amarillo, Mosaic and Idaho 7 hops. Talk about the interplay between those varietals.

Idaho 7 is a fairly new hop. Big resiny, piney and dank flavors and aromas emerge, with secondary grapefruit notes. This grapefruit plays well with the grapefruit note of Amarillo, as well as the complex peach, pine, herbal, and tropical character of Mosaic. It’s the bass note in a symphony of hops.

This brew is inspired by America’s national pastime! What’s the story behind the name?

The name originates from an attitude in baseball, always hustle to catch the ball, hustle to the plate, and hustle around the bases.

What are the notable characteristics of this beer?

This beer is dry hopped twice, once during primary fermentation and another time after primary fermentation is complete.

Man stacking cans and man picking up cans with forklift

What are some other IPAs that you dig?

Fatheads Head Hunter IPA, Avery’s Rajah, Revolution Anti Hero IPA.

Appearance: Yellow with light haze. Moderate white head with good retention. Medium carbonation.

Aroma: High hop aroma with notes of grapefruit, orange zest, pine, resin, and peach.

Taste: Medium soft bitterness, low malt flavor. Medium-high hop flavor with a strong orange component upfront that fades to peach, pine, resin, and light herbal notes. Finish is dry but there is a perception of sweetness due to the high fruit-forward character of the hops.

Mouthfeel: Medium-light body, medium carbonation.

Overall: A smooth, softly bitter IPA that is very hop forward (in flavor and aroma).

What foods would pair well with Hustle?

Dover sole with lemon and herbs or Thai stir fry with plenty of aromatics added (basil, lemongrass, shallot).

Ideal glassware for Hustle?

Standard shaker pint glass.