Hoppy Otter IPA

I saw this British-brewed American-style IPA at Charles Street Liquors amid their wide collection of dusty arcane imported beers and ales. The name was cute, the otter theme prevalent throughout all of The Otter Brewing Company’s offerings, and I felt I could use a tasty new beer experience to help me prepare for the Amuse Bouche Cookoff which was coming the next day. At 5.20 for an Imperial Pint bottle, it was a little steep, but most imports on the shelves were priced similarly or higher. So home a bottle went and into my fridge to wait until the day of the cookoff.

When I popped the top and poured the ale, I was greeted with an effervescent aroma of pine and orange peel alongside a pleasing yeasty booziness. The Hoppy Otter poured a murky orange-brown with a tight off-white head that dissipated quickly.

Hoppy and piney on the attack, this IPA spread its wings with a caramel taffy sweetness and a thick, coating mouthfeel. It finished with a rye breadiness and bitterness that was wholly pleasing.

I could see sitting at a pub, working on a few pints of Hoppy Otter, and with its moderate 6.8% ABV, this IPA is an excellent session beer, as the flavor is interesting enough to keep the taste buds happy, but not so thick, sweet, or alcoholic as to have you looking for something else after the first glass.

I would pair this brew with an alliterative meal of baked beans, bratwurst, and brown bread. So don’t be bashful, buy a bottle today!