Beer of the Week

The beer: Hop God

Brewed by: Nebraska Brewing Company, Papillion, Nebraska

Description (from the bottle): "Contained within this bottle is an artful creation which began with our Hop God Belgian-style IPA further enhanced by a 6-month maturation in French Oak Chardonnay barrels. Hop God is a big, bold Belgian style Tripel hopped in very high amounts to concentrate citrus, grapefruit, peach, and floral aromatics in the nose. The addition of Chardonnay barrel aging adds further dimension and oak dryness to an already wonderfully complex Ale."

Would I buy it again?: I wasn't expecting to enjoy this beer. I'm not a big fan of hoppy beers, and at 101 IBU, I was expecting the beer called Hop God to be, well, hoppy. But it's actually not bitter at all. That aging in the Chardonnay barrels has done wonders for the beer, because this is a very balanced beer that's honestly not difficult to drink at all. It tastes a bit like a Chardonnay as well. I don't think I'd buy it again at $26, but if it was half that price, yeah, I'd get it again.

Beer of the Week

The beer: Sandstorm Belgian Tripel

Brewed by: 3rd Wave Brewing Company, Delmar, Delaware

Description (from the website): "Our take on a classic Belgian Tripel. Smooth and creamy with a hazy light golden color. Hints of banana and clove from the yeast along with the spicy/woodsy hop flavors prevail up front, giving way to a subdued sweetness in the finish. Brewed with Pilsner malt and hopped with Chinook, Perle and Hallertau Mittlefrueh."

Would I buy it again?: No. I normally like tripels, but this one had a weird sort of aftertaste that I really didn't enjoy. If I wanted a tripel, there are much better choices, like from Allagash or Victory.