From the Beer Writer: Since its debut in 2014, I’ve been a fan of Mother Earth Brew Co.‘s 4Seasons series, which sees a different beer released for each season on a year-in, year-out basis. Typically, these beers are high-alcohol one-offs and many are barrel-aged, which is fine…until summer rolls around. I love imperial stouts and similarly burly styles, but not when the summer heat is at its peak. So it’s great to see this year’s summer 4Seasons offering celebrating a style more in keeping with this time of year: a 7.5% alcohol-by-volume hazy IPA. It’s brewed with Galaxy, Mosaic, El Dorado and African Queen hops, four varietals I’m particularly fond of (including the latter, which is very hard to come by since AB-InBev’s South African hop buy-up), making for a well-rounded, citrusy bouquet and a rich, layered, similarly fruity flavor profile. The beer is a collaboration effort between MEBC and Seattle’s Fremont Brewing, a relationship appropriately spawned during a fishing trip on the Salmon river. So, a fun, summery beer with roots in a fun, summery activity. Now, if we could just get some fun, summery weather going, we’ll be in business!
From the Brewery: “This beer presents exactly like a West Coast hazy should: It’s juicy without being cloyingly sweet and sticky, it has a very balanced hop bitterness, a full body and a big, fruity aroma. It was really some of the most fun I have had brewing for Mother Earth for several reasons. First, the style is really on fire right now. Second, we got access to some phenomenal hops, including one that’s pretty difficult to get a hold of, which is exciting. Third, we got to work with a very well-respected and fun group of guys at Fremont. Fourth, it’s the first collab for us using the new 16-ounce cans, which is a change for us in 2019. And last but not least, we got to use base malt from LINC Malt out of Spokane, Washington, which is a craft maltster producing amazing stuff right now. All around, this is just a fantastic and complex beer that stimulates every part of the palate.”—Chris Baker, Head Brewer, Mother Earth Brewing