Flying Fish Brewing Company’s Exit Series is “a multi-year collection of extremely limited release beers celebrating the great state of New Jersey.” Their most recent release, the seventh in the series, (March 2011) is Exit 9 – Hoppy Scarlet in honor of Rutgers University. This exit and beer has significance in my life as Rutgers is my alma mater, and what better way to celebrate the nearly 250 year old university which was founded in 1771 with classes held at a local tavern (seriously), then with a beer!
In addition to the 750 mL bottle sampled with friends, I had this beer on tap at the George Street Ale House during the beers New Brunswick release party. Hoppy Scarlet pours a crystal clear amber with a nice white head. I would describe the beers as being a bit more amber in color instead of a distinct scarlet red color. The beer has a very earthy, well hopped aroma with a medium to light body that starts out slightly sweet from the hops (awesome) and finishes slightly bitter. Flying Fish describes the beer as being, “assertively hopped with Amarillo, Centennial, Chinook and Citra, [creating a] bouquet [that] has complex notes of citrus and tropical fruits, with an appropriate bitterness in the finish.” This beer has a great balance with its nice hop aroma and profile without being too overly hoppy or bitter. Definitely get out and try this beer while you can because it definitely won’t stick around for too long! Overall: (A)
Also, be sure to check out Flying Fish’s Exit 16 – Wild Rice Double IPA which was voted the 23rd top beer of 2010 by BeerAdvocate members.
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