Toppling Goliath Sol Hunter

The Stats
Style: American Pale Ale
ABV: 6.5%
Current Ratings...
- Beer Advocate: 4.21/5
- RateBeer: 3.82/5

"Gone are the days of experimentation and test-flights. As we voyage into the unknown, we rely on our skill and determination - guiding us safely to the promised land. Our goal is clear: pursue the sun and harvest the power extracted from an equinox. The task is large, but hopes are high as we travel once more among the stars"

Formerly part of Toppling Goliath's "X-Hops" series which highlights different hop varietals (much like Night Shift Morph, Tree House Curiosity, and Trillium's "Street" IPAs), this (I believe) used to be X-Hops Red which showcased Equinox hops. I'm not too familiar with Equinox hops myself, but how am I supposed to grow as a human unless I try everything? Too deep? Yeah, maybe a little bit.

Pours like the label: a firery orange with a transparent body. The pour produced a nice three-finger head.

The aroma has an interesting blend of herbal hops (almost spicy in a way), hop oils, and pepper skin. Not too much in terms of juicy flavors, but there is a muted orange presence. A big garlic and onion presence comes forward as it warms.

The taste is just as oily as Jesse Katsopolis' hair (and you thought I'd never fit a "Full House" reference into one of these reviews). With all of the juice-forward IPAs and pale ales out there, it's actually nice to see something different. Similar to the aroma, there's a lovely herbaceous quality with hints of tea and mint. Like the aroma, there is a lack of familiar tropical notes, but I can pick up some candied peaches if I try hard enough.

Mouthfeel seems dead-on with a full, medium body. Thanks to the high level of oils, this isn't one I'd classify as high drinkable, but I am enjoying the flavors nevertheless. With each sip, those oily flavors linger for a few seconds, but they don't overstay their welcome.

Sol Hunter had some interesting flavors all mixed together and it made for a different experience. I can't honestly say it is something I would personally go back to as I don't find drinkability all that high thanks to such a high concentration of oily and herbaceous hops. If nothing else, it was a nice change of pace.

Rating
7.5/10