May 10, 2011
Brew review
The "Hop Toddy" ale made by Schlafly is a limited release, available at the end of April- so I was pushing my luck yesterday when I tried to buy some. Long story short: thanks to my lovely wife, I scored 2 of the last (presumably) bottles available. Shlafly's description doesn't quite do it justice: "This wheat ale is brewed with local wheat and honey, with a hint of concentrated lemon juice. A dry-hopping with Citra hops and aging in bourbon barrels makes it the beer equivalent of a hot toddy."
This beer is phenomenal- firing on all cylinders, as they say. Hoppy, but not too bitter, malty, sweet with citrus notes and a little bourbon burn. It's amazing that at 9% abv it could be a "sessionable" beer, meaning- I could sit down and drink 3 or 4 small/tulip glasses easily. My only regret is I should have saved one of the bottles, but did share with my neighbor. Critiques may say this beer is too sweet, but if I were only able to have one type of beer for the rest of my life- this would be it. I'm curious to find out what other craft beer connoisseurs like The Hopostle think of this treat...