Family India Pale Ale
Country USA (WA) ABV 6.5%
Producer Craft Brewers Alliance
Price $$ Packaging 12oz/355ml bottle
Characteristics Bitter, hoppy

Overview Redhook has been the face of craft brewing in Seattle since forever—1981, actually—and Long Hammer is a recent rebranding of their Redhook IPA, originally known as 1984’s Ballard Bitter. That’s a long run for a modern craft beer.

Flavors and aromas Plenty of hops emerge from the nose of this beer: orange peel and pine character plus some complexity that one taster identified as rosemary. The palate is on the light side of medium, but there are darkish caramel notes to go with the assertively bitter hoppiness. The finish is dry and rather bitter. There’s a touch of harshness, but hop lovers will find this enjoyable and well-constructed.