Beer Stats

• Packaging: 12 oz. Can
• BJCP Style: American IPA
• ABV: 6.5%
• Hops Variety: Newport, Nugget, Columbus, Cascade, Montueka
• Malts Variety: Unknown (Typically Pale Ale or 2 Row Malt)
• Brewery: https://www.sobrewco.com/
• Beer Connoisseur Rating: None

LUDB Notes

• Bitterness Level: Moderate*
• Drinkability:
  • Would I buy it again? Yes
  • Would I stock it? No

• Appearance: Initially clear pale yellow, turns cloudy after a few minutes. Fluffy, white head with very good retention. Fast rising bubbles.
• Aroma: Citrus aromas from hops. Faint bready aroma from malts, mostly hidden behind hops aroma.
• Flavor & Aftertaste: Citrus, floral and mildly bready. Low sweetness from malts. Restrained bitterness that does not linger long.
• Palate: Low carbonation. Dry with a medium length finish. Not overly bitter at the finish.
• Balance & Drinkability: Nicely balanced. Light and smoot, not too filling. Desirable qualities.

Commentary

One of the quaint things about craft breweries is how they come up with monikers for their beers. Many times there is an interesting background story or a local connection to the name that is chosen. Take Southern Brewing Co.’s Hobnail IPA. Athens, GA is the home to the University of Georgia. For UGA football fans, there is no one more notable than the legendary play by play announcer Larry Munson. Munson has so many legendary calls; but one of the more recent, memorable ones occurred in 2001. UGA had lost 10 straight games to the University of Tennessee. After Tennessee had taken the lead late in the game, UGA had quickly moved the ball down to the Tennessee 6 yard line. The next play, UGA quarterback David Green hits fullback Vernon Haynes with a six yard score. Munson excitedly blurted out “We just stepped on their face with a Hobnail boot and broke their nose! We just crushed their face!” I think the most amusing thing about the famous call was, not long after Munson made it, listeners were sitting around wondering what the heck a Hobnail boot was!

That’s the background for the name of Athens, GA’s Southern Brewing Company’s Hobnail IPA. Hobnail is light and drinkable and the five varieties of hops used in the brewing process provides plenty of interesting citrus and herbal aromas and flavors for an IPA fan. The bittering hops is not overpowering or offensive; so a Lager fan putting their toes in the IPA waters can enjoy Hobnail as well.

Thanks for reading and until next time…Let Us Drink Beer!

*Bitterness Scale: None, Restrained, Moderate, Aggressive, & Excessive