Session # 161
Midnight Sun | Mayhem
Belgian IPA | Anchorage, Alaska | 8.2% ABV
One year ago: Three Floyds Gumballhead
Like many of you, India Pale Ales have always been a favorite beer style of mine. For the longest time, though, I couldn’t get my head around a Belgian-style IPA. The Belgian yeast with heavy hops always puzzled me, but I’m happy to say that I’ve finally come around. So when I did a trade not long ago with one of my California connections I looked to find some more of this style. Midnight Sun, an Alaskan brewery, produces a beer in this style. Though only released on the west coast, they are fairly easy to obtain if you try. Mayhem, Midnight Sun’s Belgian-style Double IPA, is a very good representation of the style. While not as bold as a Green Flash Le Freak, it pairs the Belgian yeast and hoppy characters very well. It poured an absolutely gorgeous orange and yellow color and appeared virtually clear in the glass. There was a huge pillowy eggshell white head floating on top that emitted yeasty and grassy aromas. While neither the hops nor the yeast were the star of the show, they both came together perfectly for a nicely balanced beer Rating: 86/100
Check out all sessions of The Hopry here.
This beer can be found in these states.
Listening To: Adventure “Rio”
Let us know your thoughts by rating and commenting on this video.
Posted by Louie on April 13, 2011 at 1:10 PM
Awesome. I am also intrigued by big hop character with Belgian yeast. Have you had Stone’s Belgo Old Guardian yet?
Midnight Sun’s Arctic Devil Barleywine is incredible, but it flies off the shelves pretty quickly. Between that, FW Abacus, and Mother of All Storms, there are too many damn world-class barleywines to seek out.
Posted by thehopry on April 13, 2011 at 1:48 PM
Well the good news is that we will be getting Stone in our market within the next couple weeks – definitely excited and you’ll probably see some reviews popping up.
Posted by Big Mike on April 13, 2011 at 4:44 PM
That’s a beautiful beer. I’ve yet to fully embrace the the Belgian IPA’s. Maybe i’m drinking the wrong ones. This sounds like an interesting brewery.
On a side note. Is Tim still part of The Hopry? Haven’t had him on here in a while unless i missed it.
Cheers!
Big Mike
Posted by thehopry on April 13, 2011 at 9:22 PM
He’ll be back on Friday as a matter of fact. With another very special guest and a hell of a special beer.