Tasting panel findings: Hop Trophy Lawless Village IPA
Cascade, Centennial, Lilly and Petit Blanc are the four hops that take the stage in the special edition of Bellfields' Lawless Village IPA. Brewer Keith was very pleased with it, read what our tasting panel thought of it here.
All the beers from the Hop Trophy are tasted by the panel of independent beer experts below, we introduce them to you here. On this page, you can read their findings on the Hop Trophy edition of Bellfield Lawless Village IPA.
Quaffable
We start with Matthias who had travelled by train from the Hamburg area to In De Wildeman: “What a wonderful idea it was from Hollands Hophuis to invite the tasting panel for beer #03 to Amsterdam and that too in the fantastic In De Wildeman. This beer pub is for me one of the best I have ever had the pleasure to visit.
But now for the beer of the Hop Trophy. The beer is from Bellfield Brewery in beautiful Edinburgh, Scotland. Their beers are all gluten free and vegan, what a great USP. The beer is a truly classic English IPA with a hoppy, modern twist at a moderate 4.5% - just classic English. It's called Lawless Village and is part of the Core Range.”
Panel members Tina (left) and Matthias (right) with brewer Keith.
“Normally it is brewed with "only" 2 of the 4 C hops, Cascade and Centennial. But as part of the brilliant Hop Trophy, Hollands Hophuis came up with something special and added the rare Lilly and Petit Blanc varieties to the beer.
The beer is delightfully "quaffable," as my panel colleague Rick Kempen so aptly described it. After all the Hazy hop forward IPAs, this beer is so wonderfully classic, dry, effervescent, with a focus on drinkability. It shows up beautifully copper coloured, clear in the glass. Reminds me of the first west coast IPAs that came out 10 years ago, really nice old school.
The Lilly hops come in with tangerine, gooseberry and Petit Blanc adds cherry, lilac and pina colada. What rare flavours and the aromas are so pleasantly away from the tropical fruit cocktail. But above all is drinkability, quaffability and the setting at In De Wildeman was perfect for this.”
Educational edition
Rick points out the importance of terroir when it comes to American hops from European soil: "Lawless Village IPA is a brave experiment because it is (partly) brewed with American hops grown in Europe. Crisp and well-balanced - the malt is given every opportunity to show its best side - this beer especially notes how important 'terroir' is also in the beer world.
In particular, the fruity notes of EU Cascade and Citra are disguised, while the spicy sides come to the fore. Another interesting and instructive edition of Hop Trophy!"
Panel members Matthias Kopp (left) and Rick Kempen sample the third Hop Trophy beer.
Balance
Tina highlights the balance between hops and malt and applauds Bellfield's philosophy: "The Lawless Village IPA with European hops features citrus notes with a spicy undertone, but also with a recognisable malty backbone. This makes it a hop forward beer, but not overpowering like many American IPAs. It remains well-drinkable and refreshing, with a slightly dry finish. A tasty beer that is also gluten-free and vegan-friendly. So Craft Beer for all and I can only applaud that."
Want to try it yourself?
Lawless Village's Hop Trophy edition can be tasted at A.B.T. Cafés across The Netherlands throughout February (and beyond should there be any left over).
Bellfield is available throughout the UK and is doing a lot to spread their beers throughout Europe. The beers are available in their online shop (shipping within the U.K.). You can follow them on Instagram or visit the website.
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