I've always been amazed at how well-known HUB is around the country. I mean, they certainly are popular in Portland, but I didn't realize they had such a following like they do. I've always enjoyed their beer, but it usually doesn't come up too often when I'm telling people about Portland beer. Cascadian dark ales are quickly becoming one of my absolute favorite styles, and I'm very curious to try this one.
Obviously, it's a very dark color, and though it is easiest to just say black, it's far from being pitch. It's very well-carbonated and produced a monster head when it was poured. It also left about a finger of brownish foam throughout the duration of the drink. The head was very frothy and creamy.
I think my heart skipped a beat when I took a sniff of this. It put me right back into the Pacific Northwest wilderness and made me feel like a kid again. A bit corny, sure, but this really is one of my favorite smelling beers. Very woodsy, piney, and just a floral hint. Just has the really fresh smell that you get from Northwest hops. It's definitely a bit yeasty and there is some sweet roast in there as well.
The first thing that hit me when tasting this was the woodsy character. It was most reminiscent of chewing on a stick. It's not too bitter, but it does have some very strong pine hop character in the back of the throat. The malt here starts out as a very clean, smooth, roasted coffee and becomes richer towards the back of the mouth as it evolves into the dominant hop character.
Gotta admit, I love this thing. Hands down the best HUB beer I've had and it may be my new favorite in the style (though I'll have to have another Dogzilla first). Hopworks, you've made a believer out of me.
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