Hop Gangster
As you probably know, the American Pale Ale is a recent invention, dating to 1975 by most accounts.[1] These ales are generally a mid-point between Amber Ales and IPAs, at least from the drinker’s point of view. There are other technical considerations that differentiate them. For our purposes however, this is a good enough to keep the styles apart in our heads. The defining characteristic of an American Pale Ale is the liberal use of American grown hops, particularly Cascade. So how does Hop Gangster get along with those strictures?
Admirably. I specifically compare to Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, as the reference beer for this style. It was the first successful commercial example of the style.
Pairing Hop Gangster
This is one of my go to beers for eating cheese (something I do more than perhaps is healthy). I am a big fan of how the bitter hop flavors interact with fatty blue cheeses. Nothing makes my palate happier than some dense rustic bread, a creamy blue cheese like Estrella La Peral, and a Hop Gangster or two, and my lunch plans are complete.
Fish and chips is a winner with Hop Gangster, as is most Thai and Indian food. The carbonation cuts through the fat layer and the hoppy bitterness helps tamp down some of the spiciness.
Style Guidelines
- Color: Pale Amber (08 SRM)
- Standard: Straw to light amber (4-7(8-14 EBC) SRM)
- Clarity: Slight chill haze. Some hop haze.
- Standard: Chill haze is acceptable at low temperatures. Hop haze is allowable at any temperature.
- Perceived Malt Aroma & Flavor: Medium malt flavors. Some slight caramel malt flavor
- Standard: Low caramel malt aroma is allowable. Low to medium maltiness may include low caramel malt character.
- Perceived Hop Aroma & Flavor: Medium High. Not as diesel and pine-y as many APAs, but still well within style.
- Standard: High, exhibiting a wide range of attributes including floral, citrus, fruity (berry, tropical, stone fruit and other), sulfur, diesel-like, onion-garlic, catty, piney, resinous, and many others.
- Perceived Bitterness: Medium (30 IBUs)
- Standard: Medium to medium-high (30-50 IBUs)
- Fermentation Characteristics: No diacetyl. Some fruity undertones.
- Standard: Fruity esters may be low to high. Diacetyl should not be present.
- Body: Medium
- Standard: Medium
Tasting Notes
The citrus hops dominate, and there is plenty of grapefruit aromas to show up the contribution Cascade makes to the beer.
- ↑ Jackson, Michael. Michael Jackson’s Beer Companion: The World’s Great Beer Styles, Gastronomy, and Traditions. pp 161-162. Running Press, 1997.
