Flossmoor Station Hoppy Little "O"

pours an apricotty color with a big off-white (almost white) head. a hoppy, citrusy, malty nose is followed by an equally hoppy, citrusy, peppery, malty flavor, with a floral, fruity under-tone. a bit too floral to my tastes to take a place at the top of the pantheon of hoppy beers, but pretty good none-the-less.

Draft at the brewpub. Poured a slightly hazy medium orange color. Head was thick and white with good retention and lacing. Aroma was a pleasant mixture of honey touched cereal grain, key lime pie, and orange marmelade. Delicate sweetness greeted my tongue which was tempered by moderate hop bitterness of about 5 out of 10. There was plenty of acohol flavor accompanied by spicy clove, orange marmelade, and a hinto of garlic. I liked this one a lot.

Was very light in color, a golden straw color, with a nice sized head. It didn’t smell overwhelmingly strong, it actually had little hop notes up front, as the smell was actually slightly wheaty. Its appearance was not a typical IIPA, and it didn’t taste like one either. It was very sweet, malty, and fruity, with a slight citrus edge, caramalized and long. The hops didn’t come into play until the end, in which it was definitely tamed. It couldn’t have been higher than 60 IBU’s, max. The alcohol tingle, it was non-existant! For 10%, thats rediculous. It was a very unique style with great complexity.

Had this one on draught at the brewpub in Flossmoor, Illinois. HOLY. Cloudy, deep amber pour with a foamy tan head, candy apple and piney hops in the nose, strawberry, sweet and very fruity for an IPA, but a lingering bitterness in the finish. Balanced, which is extremely unusual for 2xIPA. Knock-you-on-your-butt powerful flavors, but actually not tremendously alcoholic. Among the most interesting beers I’ve ever had.

On tap at brewpub

I saved this one for last after having a small sample. I’m not sure what defines an IPA as Belgian but this one would certainly not be mistaken for anything subtle. Far from the most aggressive Imperial IPA I’ve ever tried it still was able to leave a finish that lingered all the way to Three Floyds.

Aroma / Appearance - This beer came in a tulip glass. Held up to the light it was an opaque mandarin orange with a rich vanilla head. Pine resin, freshly mowed grass and strong citrus flavors hit the senses from the start. Yet I did not find it unbalanced at all; instead it felt under control at all times. It’s not as intense as a west coast IPA but it will still clear the nostrils.

Flavor / Palate - Orange, lemon, grass and pine needles form a very hoppy introduction. The malts and hops are reasonably well balanced so that neither one dominates the other too much. The mouthfeel is a little tart; this is definitely one for sipping rather than sessioning. I searched for the 10% alcohol but it was well hidden in the flavor profile. Overall I found this an excellent beer. If I were in the mood for something slightly over the top this would be perfect.