Beer Review - Hop Trapp

Lakewood Brewing Company Hop Trapp Belgian IPA - 6.4% ABV

"This IPA has more in common with its Trappist cousins than with the face shredding IPA's of the west coast. While we still have a healthy bitter backbone and floral hop notes, this IPA is decidedly malty and complex with the addition of our Belgian yeast. It's the thinkin' man's IPA". Says the Lakewood Brewing website.  Let's break this comment down, shall we?

First, what is a Belgian IPA?  Here's the funny thing, Belgian IPA's are not really brewed for Belgian beer drinkers, they were created specifically for the American beer market.  Our friend Chris Bauweraerts, founder of the Brasserie d'Achouffe, told us that he created Houblon Chouffe after taking a trip to the U.S. and observed how our market trended more toward hoppy beers.  Indeed, Houblon Chouffe is his favorite creation but he admits that it is more like a Belgian Trippel than an American IPA.  There are two very distinct differences between Belgian IPA's and American IPA's:  the sugar content, they are usually quite sweet and the yeast, the strong earthy, banana taste which is quite pronounced.  You will also find that most Belgian Trippels have quite a lot of alcohol, upward from 8%.

Hopp Trapp is pours slightly cloudy, golden/orange with a head that does not persist.  The nose is of hops, citrus and a bit of yeast.  The beer is a bit dry, which is typical for a Belgian Trippel, and the carbonation is medium.  You will taste hops first and foremost; not overpowering or face imploding, but significant.  A bit of orange follows along and lastly the yeasts.  There is very little sweetness to speak of and the malts in the background are quite sublte.  This is a really decent beer but because of the lack of sweetness, low alcohol content and, what I found to be, irrelevant malts, I would tend to place it in the East Coast IPA category rather than the Belgian IPAs.  We are looking foreward to trying more of Lakewood's offerings.  Hooooray Beer!

Lakewood Brewing Company
2302 Executive Drive
Garland, TX 75041
http://www.lakewoodbrewingcompany.com/


Here is a follow up from the Hop Trapp review. I had a chance to try the Lost Abbey Brewing Red Barn Ale this weekend. It is described as a Saison style beer for American tastes. I was amazing how much it and Hop Trapp resembled each other. I would like to remind you that we have world class beers being produced right here in Dallas. Good show Lakewood.