Why We Picked It: I pre-ordered this one when seeing a case at Maple Lawn as soon as I saw Union and double IPA (my fav style).
What Union Says About It: The arena is oversold. The band is in the middle of a blistering set. Malt, Water, and Yeast take a break and head backstage while Hops lights another cig and sits on an amp under the spotlight. With a quick puff and the flash of a smile, the Eruption begins. Waves of flavor pour over the crowd — Pear, melon, tropical pineapple, and white grape build to a maddening crescendo followed in quick succession by black tea and a honey-like sweetness. The bombast and indulgence come to a slow lava-like ooze that sticks to the palate with a gentle, soft body as the band returns to the stage.
Style: Double IPA
ABV: 7.6%
IBU: 30
Website: https://www.unioncraftbrewing.com
To Better Know A Brewery: Beer is the union of water, barley, hops and yeast. A brewery is the union of beer, its brewers and the community it serves. Beer Unites! is not just a tagline, it’s the underlying philosophy of everything we believe in as a business. Good beer brings good people together for good times—and good works.
Located within the Union Collective business hub in the Medfield neighborhood of Baltimore, MD, Union Craft Brewing makes great beer and great company. With reverence for tradition and place, we brew beers that unite old and new ideas, the science and craft of brewing, and boldness and balance of flavor.
Founded in the fall of 2011 by Kevin Blodger, Adam Benesch and Jon Zerivitz, brewing operations officially began in the spring of 2012 with the installation of a 20 barrel brewhouse and the initial launch of Duckpin Pale Ale.
After 5 years, UNION moved their production plant and tap room up the road to a 148,000 sq ft, former Sears warehouse that now houses the Union Collective of small, local manufacturers and Earth Treks Climbing gym.
Lock up your woman and children! This double IPA is Unchained with hops that Jump out and then Dance the Night Away on your taste buds. I Ain't Talkin' Bout Love, but I really like this beer. In fact, you might say that I'm Hot for Teacher.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to rush out and buy this as soon as I saw the label, but I said to my self I'll Wait. I'm happy to be enjoying this beer Right Now. Thank you 24 Days of Beer team - You Really Got Me with this one.
All joking aside, this is my second favorite of the bunch so far. The single from day one remains my favorite.
Like others with Flying Dog, Union is also hit and miss for me. For a double IPA, I'm loving how this is chock full of aroma hops without leaving a bitter, nyquil hop residue that lingers. I would definitely buy and drink this again.
Now someone head out and buy me one of the Frankenstein replicas, a Marshall plexi, and an Echoplex in a weird missile looking thing.
Nicely done! I'm picturing you writing this in parachute pants and a sleeveless tee.
DeleteSadly, I haven’t owned parachute pants since fourth grade. Maybe it’s time to rectify that situation.
DeleteI'm working on a Saturday and popped this one open to ease the pain, and I was really excited to have this one based on the description and even the can art.
ReplyDeleteI can say I like it, but not as much as I hoped I would. I want a double IPA to punch me in the face with flavor and booze and leave me a little bitter. This was more a flick of the nose. I enjoyed the flavor and it aroma, and would definitely have another. Not bad and better than most I've had so far. Maybe my expectations are just too high.
3.84 out of 5 Eddie Van Halens
This one may be the best so far, until the next beer I drink.
ReplyDeleteUnion is becoming one of my favorite local breweries and this one doesn't disappoint.
I'd agree with Shep, not a double but definitely an inposing single. I really like this one and would have a nother... Please.
4.783/5 nose flicks.
I like this one a lot- hoppy without bitterness, and double IPA-ness without a boozy flavor. Nice and smooth.
ReplyDeleteI thought this beer was a bit meh. Maybe my taste buds are off, or maybe I really don't like anything hazy. I just didn't notice anything to be excited about. It was smooth and easy to drink, but just not my bag, baby.
ReplyDeleteWatching college football next to a fire- beer was good and gone quickly. Wish I had more. 4/4
ReplyDeleteSolid if unremarkable - which isn't a bad thing. Went down easy enough but probably wouldn't seek one out but if offered wouldn't say no.
ReplyDeleteMuch better than last night’s mediocre IPA. I still have a problem with people calling them DIPAs when they don’t even reach 8% ABV though. Is the can art a tribute to Van Halen’s eruption and one of the album covers? Sure looks familiar.
ReplyDeleteBeen a big afternoon. Zoom 40th birthday party for my brother-in-law where he sent us all six beers to drink. Third Hold Steady show (which was just awesome and so worth it). Picked up my Frankly Pizza and here we go. Obviously any beer named after a Van Halen song is going to be awesome. I had some Van Halen references cued up, but I won't even try due to the above brilliance. I like this. Hoppy but smooth. I was halfway through before I noticed it's a double IPA. Not sure about that but I guess we'll see how that 7.6% plays out. Agree about Union being hit or miss. Had a few of their beers that I really love and others that I would cross the street to avoid drinking. I probably wouldn't seek this out, but definitely glad it found me. Stay positive. 4 out of 5 killer parties in deserted Brooklyn bowling alleys.
ReplyDeleteDid you watch all three shows? We only did the first. We did a Dawes livestream as well and I was afraid we wouldn’t have enough time for three THS shows.
DeleteDrank this late today. We hosted a virtual ginger bread house decorating party and got a little buzzed drinking spiked coffee with the wife and forgot. Oops.
ReplyDeleteSo this will be short. It was more ale the double ipa to me. I even double checked the can to make sure I was drinking the correct thing.
Not bad but once again beer styles listed on the can either mean nothing or I know nothing.
A solid “meh” 3/5.
Hmmm, not on Unttapd.
ReplyDeleteIf you drink a beer and it’s not on untapped so people don’t know your drank it.... did you really drink it?
DeleteIt's there, but it was a limited release and not listed by Union. Click on my tab you'll see it.
DeleteAdam - the answer is clearly now, which is why I know that you have never had a beer. Weird, but true.
I think this has been my favorite so far, albeit not the best DIPA I ever had. Still, thought it had some nice citrus notes, and was very smooth. Just would have liked a little more bite/hoppiness. I thought the can design was way cool, and glad the other reviewers noted the Van Halen reference, as I did not pick up on that.
ReplyDeleteI do think Union has become a really impressive Brewery - Duckpin is often a "go to" if I need to grab something quickly at the store or if I can't decide what I want. Anyway, looking forward to more good things from Union. As for this one, 4.25/5.00 Cabo Wabos.
Paired well with watching Christmas Story outside by a fire in my neighbor's driveway. That said what wouldn't pair well with that??
ReplyDeleteGreg -- Sorry for late feedback. I really liked this one, though not quite "Nectar of the Gods" material. It played out almost like a barley wine. I like most barley wines, so I didn't mind that, even if it didn't taste like a traditional DIPA. Good stuff, and I'm happy to have had it included in the crop this year!
ReplyDeletethumbs up from me. 3.5/5
ReplyDeleteI have an unpopular opinion on music. I dont like ACDC, Rush, or Van Halen. But I can say this much. This beer was so good I started listening to VH.
ReplyDelete