Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Day 28 (8/21/2011): Modus Hoperandi by Ska Brewing Co.


I'm always down for trying new beers in cans. The concept of good beer being packaged in cans is still a novel enough idea to me that it's always exciting to try one that others recommend. Modus Hoperandi has well above-average scores on both Beer Advocate and Ratebeer, so I figured I was in for a treat when this was in a box I received a few weeks back.

It poured a golden orange with a just-barely-offwhite head that just didn't quit. It hung around for quite some time, leaving some nice sticky lacing on the glass as it settled down into a nice bibbly ring on the surface of the beer. The nose is actually quite balanced, with pine and citrus (lemon and grapefruit) hop notes and a slight breadiness and caramel maltiness.


The taste is what can be expected from the smell: a not quite balkanced beer, which is quite alright. I don't think this one is supposed to be balanced. The hops purposefully take the spotlight here, though the malts lead the pack. The slight sweetness is followed by fruity hops, and finishes with a dry pine flavor which is just a tad too bitter and long lasting for my tastes. I would have liked the fruitiness to be in the spotlight more than the pine finish, but I suppose not everyone likes their IPAs the way I do.

The body and carbonation are right about middle of the road. It is somewhat creamy, which is strange with the dry finish.

This is most assuredly a solid IPA, which if available here would be close to tops on the beach rotation. It is nice to see the offerings put forth in cans getting better and better. Let's hope it stays that way. I give Modus Hoperandi by Ska Brewing Co. a B+.

Style: American IPA
ABV: 6.8%
IBU: 65
Beer Advocate: A-
Ratebeer: 97/97

Acquired via a generous Beer Advocate from Oregon. I do not believe it is distributed in Ohio or Kentucky.

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