Iron Hill Hopzilla roars with flavor

June 6, 11:30 AMSuburban Philadelphia Craft Beer ExaminerMichael Hoster

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Last evening, my best friend and I ventured to Iron Hill in West Chester to sample some of the special June releases. This was the first time I visited the West Chester location since its former brewmaster, Chris Lapierre, departed for the new Maple Shade location. Nothing felt too different about the place; however, it seemingly did feature more specialty draft selections than usual. I was chiefly interested in trying the Hopzilla American India Pale Ale, but the Vanilla Porter on nitro, the Munich Dunkel and Mahalo, Apollo! also appeared enticing.

So, I had the Hopzilla--and wow, was I ever impressed! The brewing staff at Iron Hill describes Hopzilla as, “a classic rendition of the English IPA.” Well, I have to say that I simply cannot agree with that description, because Hopzilla has west coast IPA written all over it. I mean, if you were to place Green Flash West Coast IPA next to Hopzilla in a blind taste test, I can guarantee that you would have a marked degree of difficulty accurately distinguishing one from the other. Nonetheless, whether my interpretation of an English IPA is flawed or Hopzilla’s flavor profile is simply a “blunder,” the beer is spectacular.

It pours a light, golden amber color, with a medium white head that lingers for several minutes. Its aroma, as previously indicated, is very spicy and citrusy. Luscious overtones of pine, ripe grapefruit and sourdough bread are evident upon consumption. Hopzilla’s description indicates that it is boiled with a generous portion of English hops and is dry hopped with East Kent Goldings. But, from the overarching pine and citrus backdrop, Hopzilla almost has to have a significant amount of chinook, cascade, or even simcoe hops, as well. The finish is extensive, featuring a pine undercoating and a lingering earthy bitterness.

All toll, Hopzilla American India Pale Ale is one of the best specialty releases that I have had at Iron Hill. Though the beer does not really fit its given description, it is an excellent (if wholly unintentional) east coast interpretation of a west coast IPA.

For more information on Hopzilla and Iron Hill’s other beers, visit www.ironhillbrewery.com

And, be sure to take a look at my review of Iron Hill’s Pig Iron Porter.