Craft Beer Review: Sloop Juice Bomb IPA

*Pairs well with the next game in a series that introduces something new or fresh.

Welcome to another craft beer review for Games And A Glass! This week I am reviewing a beer from Sloop Brewing Co., located in Hopewell and Elizaville, New York. The beer for this week will be their Juice Bomb IPA, a juicy and hazy IPA. But of course, before going into the review, let’s talk about Sloop Brewing.

sloop-brewery.jpeg
(Via Poughkeepsie Journal)

The history of Sloop can be found on their site and it’s a cool little story of a brewery that’s just getting started.

“Founded in 2011 by Adam Watson and Justin Taylor. Grounded in the craft and tradition of brewing. Open to adventure and the pursuit of new beers, new tastes, and new experiences.

Sloop started selling beer from farmer’s market to farmer’s market across the Hudson Valley. In 2014, they opened their first production facility in a Dutch post & beam barn in Elizaville, NY, and in 2018, Sloop opened a brand new 25,000 square foot facility in East Fishkill’s former IBM plant.

Named for the boats that once moved people and cargo up and down the Hudson, Sloop is excited to be a part of the growing upstate craft movement and a growing upstate economy.”

Some of Sloop’s beers include this week’s Juice Bomb, their Confliction dry-hopped sour, and other various series of beers, including stouts and holiday specials.

Their description for Juice Bomb on their site reads, “The low bitterness and late hopping showcase the citrusy, juicy notes of American hops. A blast of tropical aroma is followed by a resiny and balanced flavor. Juice bomb features all the aspects and nuances of full hop flavor — not just bitterness.”

And now onto my thoughts!

Nose: I smell citrus and hops on the nose. The citrus reminds me of orange juice, and because I love orange juice, I’m expecting that flavor to take center stage with this beer. The hops take a back seat in the aroma, and I’m excited to see how this beer tastes in terms of its balance. I’m surprised the hops are more tame in its aroma. But because I’m expecting such a heavy, citrusy flavor, it would make sense.

Palate: Upon the initial sip, I get an excellent balance of citrus and hops. I have to say, I was expecting at least one of these two things to have a presence that hits you, like a burst or a rush of flavor. It’s deceptive and with a name like Juice Bomb, I was under the impression that this beer would be more heavy with its orange taste. Either way, it’s very tasty and I like this style of beer.

Overall: I really enjoy this beer! At 6.5 percent ABV, this is a great choice if someone is looking for an orange juice or orange flavored drink with a kick to it. I feel like this would be an excellent beer to drink in the summer. It’s light and very easy to drink. Sloop Brewing has a rock solid beer here.

I’d like to thank you for reading my craft beer review. If there’s ever a craft beer you’d recommend I try and/or review, please let me know and I will try, to the best of my ability, to acquire it! And remember, like a fine alcoholic beverage or a memorable video game, please enjoy in moderation.

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