Sunday, February 3, 2013

Day 3 - Beer 6 - Hop City Barking Squirrel



Watching soccer at a pub in the morning is a great excuse to enjoy a pre-noon brew. It's no secret I'm an avid fan of Liverpool Football Club, and a match against the champions Manchester City is a great backdrop to try a mini-pitcher of Hop City's uniquely named Barking Squirrel Lager.

Barking Squirrel is an odd title for a beer that is extremely subtle in its flavor and hops. Solid grain taste from the mix of malts with a perfectly light hoppy aftertaste. It's an easy to drink amber, as most should be, smooth with a bit of flavor at the end, but Barking Squirrel went down simple, even while I shouted and screamed at 90 minutes of football.

It's the simplicity that kills the beer, or keeps it from living up to its name. Something called Hop City Barking Squirrel should seem to have a hoppy bite, or a significant malt, but nothing stands out, and the beer falls victim to advertising a larger expectation. Call a beer Super Hoptastic Wild Unicorn Timebomb Lager, the extra letters won't add extra flavor.

Hop City Barking Squirrel Lager
Alcohol Rating: 5.0%
Class: Amber Lager
Rating: 5.5 out of 10
Quote: "I don't think squirrels bark. Do they bark? I thought they chickoo or something."

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