You only turn 18 once.

Brewery: Legend Brewing Co.
Location: Richmond, VA
Name: Hopfest
Type: American Pale Ale
ABV: 7.3%




 

There's something to be said about enjoying a proper amount of craft beer. There's something even better to be said about enjoying a locally brewed craft beer. The low-fi and unassuming label for Legend's Hopfest ale should not deter would be drinkers. In fact, it should encourage the drinker by hinting at something like "Hey, the beer speaks for itself." And yes, it is a unicorn. This year marks Legend's 18th year in the brewing world and I couldn't be happy celebrating that fact by drinking this beer. It poured a crystal clear amber color flirting toward the side of bronze and produced a modest, off-white colored head. You kind of have a pretty good idea of what you're going to be getting into bouquet wise when approaching a beer named "Hopfest." It's a hop-head's haven! Right off the bat you get a vivid citrus punch that smacks of grapefruit and as you inhale further, Christmas pine tumbles through the aroma door. The hops aren't shy but they do let a nice bit of sweet malt to come through. Now, as robust as the bouquet is you would expect this ale to be super harsh and unrelenting in its hoppiness. However, this beer is a pretty good balance of a smack of hops and a gentle pat on the back of malt. The hops are like they smell: shiny citrus sunshine. However, don't expect to get puckered in the face because as soon as the grapefruit (which washes into a orangey flavor) subsides a smooth wave of sticky caramel malt. The aftertaste is deliciously bitter that keeps the flavors of the hops hanging around. This is an easy to drink, but super flavorful, pale ale. In fact, I would go so far as to say that this beer is a great gateway for someone who wants to step up into bigger, bolder, slightly more potent pale ales. I would also like to throw my thoughts in that people may take to stronger citrus based hops easier than they may to the more harsh pine hops. (You know, I promise to take the time to learn the names and flavor profiles of the different types of hops you may come across in your craft beer journeys).

Leapfrog + unicorn = No winners.