Night 7 of the 8 Beers of Chanukah is actually a tip of the hat to a friend that didn’t make it through 2020, and a moment to reflect. This year was hard on me, just like everyone else out there. There was a job loss, and watching the travel industry subsequently unravel in real-time, which really squashed my prospects of finding work with another operator. I’ve lost a family member this year to the pandemic, and one of my friends didn’t survive a sudden illness this summer. It’s been tough, so I chose Roam Hazy IPA by Market Brewing Company as a tribute, as we went for beers at the brewery once after enjoying an afternoon at a nearby sugar shack. I miss having the freedom to roam, and I wish I could go and give his wife a big hug. Alas, Toronto is a Grey Zone so I cannot do that – but I can toast him with this 6.5% ABV hazy IPA.
Roam Hazy IPA is a beer of friendship and travel. Market Brewing from Newmarket, ON paired up with their buddies at Cascade Brewing from Portland, OR, and both breweries brewed the same beer in both locations. The Newmarket brewery is currently offering local weekday delivery on minimum purchases of $40 or more to Newmarket and the nearby surrounding area, or an individual can is also available for purchase from the LCBO for $3.95 per tall can. The brewery has a variety of local artisan food items available as well at their store, with options for both you and your pup. We cannot attest to the current lineup, but our doggo definitely enjoyed nosing around this brewery in the pre-COVID days, looking for fallen pieces of popcorn on the floor. Floor food is the best food, according to him.
This hazy IPA is billed as a dry-hopped New England style IPA, brewed with Citra, Centennial and Amarillo hops.
Appearance: Semi-filtered golden colour with a long lasting white head.
Aroma: Citrus peels, roasted barley, and freshly cut grass – I wasn’t expecting the fresh cut grass based on the hops used.
Taste: Bready on the palate, indistinct citrus peel, and more grassy notes. Tastes more like a West Coast style IPA in my opinion.
Aftertaste: As the beer warmed up a bit, I got grapefruit and mango notes. Initial tasting gave me more grassy notes on the aftertaste.
Food pairing: Floor popcorn. I kid. I’d pair this bad boy with a roasted chicken, seasoned with lemon, garlic and rosemary.
Overall: I was expecting far juicier notes from this IPA but I’m still pleased with it. Please forgive my melancholy story, and pour one out for a friend.
Shawna has visited vineyards in 8 countries on 3 continents, and has a knack for finding the hoppiest beers around. A dedicated Booze Hound, Shawna completed the Wine Specialist Certificate at George Brown College in 2018.
She can be found drinking alka-seltzer and coconut water in the morning.
Email: [email protected]
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