Beer of the Week: Hard Charger

From the Beer Writer: Having once been employed to pen the lengthy descriptive (and often irreverent) text on the back of Stone Brewing‘s beer bottles, as well as the reverses of several other breweries’ ales and lagers, I know a thing or two about craft-beer copywriting and revel in reading the work of others. It’s part of my process when I encounter a new beer. After pouring that beverage into proper glassware, I’ll have a seat, rotate the can or bottle 180 degrees and see how the brewery’s owner, brewer or marketing team member chose to convey the qualities of the beer I’m (hopefully) enjoying. It’s one of those extras that make the beer industry even more fun. The above ritual played out when I sampled this week’s featured beer, Hard Charger, a limited-edition hazy IPA from Mike Hess Brewing. Adorned with mountain bike artwork and verbiage far removed from the company norm (not a single Latin term!), the backside of this NEIPA presents the scenario of a rider at the high point of a campaign, staring down at the steep, daunting path before them, before advising that character and the holder of said can to cast fear aside and not only go forward but go hard (“damn the risks”). While that illustrative text portrays a full-speed-ahead mentality, the beer itself presents a soft-textured drinking experience marked by tremendous balance and a low-octane ABV (7%). This hazy is worth slowing down to take in its peachy aromatics as you pedal slowly and steadily through an Orange Julius taste experience augmented by minor notes of apricot and rosemary.

From the Brewer: “Hard Charger Hazy IPA is a limited-release brew we created with select two-row barley, white wheat and a heavy hand of flaked oats. We went with quite a bit more wheat in this hazy than our other hazies to give the beer more tanginess. Of course, Hard Charger has a lot of oats to really boost the fluffiness and increase the body. We chose three of our favorite hops to really make this hazy pop: Citra, Mosaic and Galaxy! These hop varietals are awesome in single-hop brews, but together they are magical. Nearly all the hops are ‘late-addition’, dosed in the whirlpool to keep the perceived bitterness down but offer huge aromatics. The combination of hop-bursting on the hot side and heavy dry-hopping has Hard Charger smelling like a fresh wet-hop IPA.”—Jason Stockberger, Head Brewer & Director of Brewery Operations, Mike Hess Brewing