Bred at the Hop Research Center in Hüll in 1980 and released in 1993, Hallertauer Magnum has an impressive cosmopolitan lineage that includes American superalpha hop cultivar Galena. Magnum gardens can now be found in all German hop-growing regions as well as in France, Poland, and sparse plantings in the Pacific Northwest. With subtle aromas of black pepper, nutmeg and a touch of citrus, Magnum is valued for having a very clean aroma, and is thus a fairly versatile hop used as a bittering base. It is generally accepted for use in ales and lagers, and our Craft Beer Crosscut 3.14.17: A Flight of Magnum.
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
5.6% ABV, 38 IBU
A tip of the cap to the iconic Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. pale ale that makes all the others in this flight possible. First brewed in 1980, Sierra was the craft that started appearing next to Bud and Miller handles, thus shifting the beer landscape of what people wanted to drink. It was a victory of flavor over, uh, liquid. It has a deep amber color and an exceptionally full-bodied, complex character. Magnum and Perle gives this this craft beer a clean, bitter taste. Generous quantities of premium Cascade hops give the Pale Ale its fragrant bouquet and spicy flavor.
Dick’s Double Danger
8.5% ABV
Dick Young created Danger Ale then went on to open Dick’s Brewing Co. in Centralia, Washington. The original CDA, Danger Ale is the brewery’s most popular craft beer. Dick’s Double Danger is even better. A large percentage of black malt gives this distinctive ale its dark brown/black color and slightly roasted flavor. The Magnum hops provide a backbone of bitterness and large late additions of Mt. Hood hops lend good flavor and aroma in the finish. There’s a lot going on in Danger land: sweet toffee malt, earthy notes, ash, tobacco, fruity with hints of hops and alcohol for a dry finish.
Pelican Tsunami Stout
7% ABV, 45 IBU
Armed with a legion of medals, Pelican Brewery‘s Tsunami Stout is a world-class example of what a foreign extra stout should be. With a color only a few minutes from midnight and a thick but clean pour, Tsunami’s bouquet shows off a fascinating balance of sweet and dry, with a touch of caramel that livens up roasted coffee notes. Big, roasty cocoa flavors dominate, with Magnum and Willamette hops imparting floral and peppery flavors with gentle bitterness. All elements combine in a rich espresso-like finish.
Black Raven Trickster IPA
6.9% ABV, 70 IBU
From Redmond, Washington’s Black Raven Brewing comes this well-balanced IPA with a deep chewy malt character obtained from copious amounts of ESB, Munich, and Crystal combined with a blast of Chinook, Magnum, Simcoe, Amarillo and Cascade hops. Basically, Black Raven brewed a craft beer that has an elevated grain bill and an elevated hop bill, executed perfectly so you have an elevated beer. Expect light fruit, citrus and piney hop aroma with a full hop flavor.
Stone Ruination 2.0 IPA
8.5% ABV, 100+ IBU
Filling our last taster glass is Stone Brewing’s Ruination 2.0, a craft beer that pours a dark gold, just on the edge of orange. The aroma is immediately super dank and resinous, piney, just West Coast classic turned up to 11, before giving way to grapefruit and orange fruit notes and grass. This beer wears its 100+ IBUs, with Magnum and Nugget hops providing a hefty dose of standout bitterness. Citra, Simcoe and Azacca hops provide the bountiful tropical fruit and resinous pine aromas. Combined, the rich tapestry of hops results in a taste profile rife with citrus, melon and tropical fruit flavors.
