44: Natty Red

Kicked off Zwickelmania 2010 with Bruce and a cadre of other beer writers* at Springfield’s Hop Valley, with a sample of Natty Red taken directly from the conditioning tank through the “Zwickel” after which the annual “brewer’s open house” event is named. According to writer Abe Goldman-Armstrong, “Zwicken” is the German verb for “to nip” or sample, and it was really interesting to taste this beer without carbonation before its finished potential had been reached. It was quite yeasty in a way that made it clear the beer wasn’t complete, and a sample of the finished version tasted quite a bit cleaner, poured clearer and presented a much more prominent, crisper hop profile.

I was also able to sample quite a few other of Hop Valley’s beers for the first time, and found the Alphaholic IPA and Alpha Centauri Double IPA really amazing, which makes sense given the brewery’s name. Definitely check them out if you see them on tap, and look for both to make their way into bottles later this year.

Beer Name: Natty Red
Brewer: Hop Valley
Price: FREE
Sampled: February 13, 2010 (Zwickelmania)
Rating: 3/5
Notes: Pulled off the zwickel in conditioning tanks. “To Nip” is “Zwicken.” A bit yeasty tasting, but nice hop aroma and balanced.
ABV: 7.6% abv
IBU: 85 ibu
OG 18 degrees
TG 3.5 degrees
Serving Type: Draft.

* As with yesterday, I was a guest of Travel Lane County and Hop Valley, but friendly brewer Trevor was giving tours to the public all day, but I feel sure my experience is representative of how you’d be treated on your own.