Here goes with the final bit of the review - The Taste Test
I have lined the HBC DIPA up against one of my own brewed a couple of weeks earlier. Both are about 6%. Both stored at 10c
The HBC DIPA is on the right
Very similar in colour
and good clarity. The HBC has a very slight chill haze but has not been the fridge as long and this will likely go in a couple more weeks.
Carbonation is very similar in both and good for a DIPA.
Both had a good head but the HBC brew was a lot tighter and retained it to the last drop, unlike mine.
Neither had a very pronounced hop aroma with mine just a little more noticeable (although I have noticed it has dropped off somewhat from the first bottles I tried a few weeks back).
Taste wise they were both good and with neither having a real hop hit. The HBC was slightly more malty with the alcohol coming through slightly more.
And in conclusion which won? - I'd say it was a draw, I liked both, subtly different but both good and too easy to drink for a 6% beer . If I did them again I might add a few more late hops.
I would definitely recommend the HBC kit. I wish these were around when I started AG as they mean you can concentrate on your equipment with out having to worry about the recipe.
