Day 14 of the 3rd Annual Advent-ure Calendar
Day 14: Tröegs Blizzard of Hops Winter IPA
Most people know Tröegs’ other Christmas ale, Mad Elf. It’s very popular around here. But we were excited to see that they had another winter ale, Blizzard of Hops. From the website: “We created this Winter IPA to toast hop growers around the world for another successful harvest. This storm of hoppy citrus and pine notes is a bright reminder the end of the Hop Cycle is only the beginning.”
REFLECTIONS
Beard & Broad
Beard: I want to seek of a fresh can of this. It has such potential because I love bright, hoppy, crisp beers. But, I’m picking up some oxidation that’s ruining it for me. It’s just a sign of the beer being a tad past its prime. Definitely going to look for this at the beginning of the holiday drinking season next year to form a better opinion. I love beer research.
Broad: This is just another delightful beer. It’s light and hoppy and a touch citrusy. I wish it was more piney in flavor. This is another one I wouldn’t classify as a holiday beer because it tastes just like a good IPA but I would happily add it to my mix in the winter just to switch things up. Tröegs just makes really good beer.
Adam & Alex
Adam: I am finding out this beer adventure that I enjoy hops much more than I used to. Blizzard is a nice mix of citrus and pine and it looks gorgeous in the moose mugs. It’s refreshing and crisp and I’m about this life.
Alex: Once again I am surprised by my taste buds. I liked Troegs Blizzard of Hops a lot. I can definitely taste the citrus and pine and it isn’t overwhelmingly hoppy. All in all it’s a delightful beer that I would definitely drink again.
Scott & Christa
Scott: Two big reasons I like this beer. Blizzard of Hops is a badass name and it has that nice matte finish can that makes it so enjoyable to hold. I’m not a huge IPA guy but I really thought this tasted delicious. It has a nice balance of IPA hoppiness and warm undertones of a winter beer. And did I mention the matte can? Love it.
Christa: I knew I was going to enjoy this. It’s a wintery IPA, what’s not to love? Like all IPAs I am getting the citrus taste, maybe even some grapefruit. And like all the IPAs that have promised pine, I am barely getting it. It’s there in the nose and maybe right at the end of each taste, but that’s it. It’s delicious and I would definitely drink several but I am learning there isn’t much that separates really good IPAs from other really good IPAs but sleigh bells, I am going to try my damnedest to drink all of them.
Tony & Megan
Tony: Well call me Twinkling Tinsel Toes Tony, apparently I do like hops! Those that have been following our holiday beer adventure know I don’t typically like IPAs but something about this one just works for me. It’s very light in color, smells of hops, but then when you drink it you get some citrus, a hint of pine, and it’s pretty refreshing. It gives you that winter beer vibe without being too overpowering. Cool can design also enhances the “Blizzard Hops” name. Overall I really liked this one, especially for an IPA.
Megan: I was concerned about this one since it’s an IPA and the name clearly indicates it’s hoppy, but I liked it. The citrus cuts the bitterness so it’s smoother than most IPAs. It’s light in color and taste and feels like a refreshing break from the cold and snow. I think this is a situation where you can’t judge the beer by its can.