Judge’s Review: 97 Rating – Hopcelot by Lawson’s Finest Liquids

American IPA | Limited Release | USA

By Michael Heniff

Judges Rating: 97
Aroma: 22
Appearance: 6
Flavor: 39
Mouthfeel: 10
Overall Impression: 20

Hopcelot by Lawson’s Finest Liquids is an American IPA and is being evaluated as an American IPA (category 21A from the 2021 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). American IPAs are hop-forward beers typically expressing American or new world hop characters that are most typically citrusy, piney or resiny in character. Hopcelot was brewed with eight different hop varieties from around the world.
Hopcelot pours straw in color, has a very slight haze and holds aloft a big white head. The aroma is of strong resiny and piney hops with just a hint of malt. The flavor is once again prominent hops showcasing flavors of citrus, pine and resins; just a hint of malt peeks out from behind the hops. The beer finishes moderately bitter with citrusy, piney and resiny hops lingering for ages into the aftertaste.
This is a fantastic American IPA. The hop profile has tremendous balance and depth that is maintained from the first sniff to the final drop. This is everything an American IPA is meant to be – prominent hop aromas and flavors and an ultra-clean level of bitterness. And have I mentioned the balance and depth of the hop character?! What an awesome job of hop selection and blending by the brewer! WOW! Truly a World Class brew.