【Seattle Hazy IPA】Here Today Brewery MEGA OBJECT – Perfect Balance of Resinous Character and Juiciness from the New Head Brewer

【#rihobeer No. 502】From Here Today Brewery located on Seattle’s waterfront comes the 10% ABV “MEGA OBJECT.” This luxurious Hazy Triple IPA uses Nelson Sauvin and Citra Incognito in the whirlpool, followed by dry hopping with Citra, Mosaic, Nelson Sauvin, and Simcoe.

Craft Beer Introduction

Brewery Profile: Here Today Brewery & Kitchen

Here Today Brewery & Kitchen, a modern brewpub on Seattle’s waterfront, is owned and operated by Chris Elford and Dave Riddile. Around October 2024, they welcomed Ted O’Hanlan as their new Head Brewer, bringing a fresh brewing philosophy to their beer lineup.

Ted O’Hanlan previously served as Head Brewer at Block 15 Brewing in Corvallis, Oregon, and before that, spent about five years as Head Brewer at Bow & Arrow Brewing in New Mexico. His experience at Bow & Arrow particularly influenced his brewing perspective, where he worked with indigenous ingredients and local wild yeasts to create distinctive beers.

【Beginner’s Guide: Whirlpool and Dry Hopping】

Whirlpool is the process of adding hops to the hot wort (liquid from boiled hops and malt) before cooling, creating a whirlpool effect. Adding hops at this stage extracts aroma and flavor while limiting bitterness. Dry hopping, on the other hand, involves adding hops directly to the beer after fermentation to extract fresh aromas. This beer combines both techniques with different hop varieties to create a complex aromatic and flavor profile.

Characteristics of MEGA OBJECT

“MEGA OBJECT” is a DDH (Double Dry Hopped) Hazy Triple IPA, meaning it uses twice the usual amount of hops during the dry hopping process. The whirlpool uses Nelson Sauvin and Citra Incognito, while the dry hopping features four distinctive hop varieties: Citra, Mosaic, Nelson Sauvin, and Simcoe.

【Beginner’s Guide: Hazy Triple IPA】

Hazy IPA is a style characterized by its cloudy appearance and soft mouthfeel. Compared to traditional IPAs, it has a milder bitterness with fruity, juicy flavors. “Triple” indicates a stronger version with higher alcohol content and more hops than a standard IPA, typically with an ABV of 9% or higher. “DDH” (Double Dry Hopped) means it uses twice the amount of hops for dry hopping, resulting in richer hop aroma and flavor.

Regional Style Characteristics Comparison

Hazy IPAs have different characteristics depending on the region, and MEGA OBJECT strongly displays Seattle-style features. Here’s an explanation of the main regional styles:

MEGA OBJECT prominently features melon and white grape aromas while displaying the characteristic pine resin finish from Simcoe in the aftertaste, making it a typical Seattle-style Hazy IPA. However, it also has a slightly heavier body similar to New York style, resulting in a complex beer that fuses regional styles.

【Beginner’s Guide: Diacetyl】

Diacetyl is a compound produced during beer fermentation that gives a buttery or butterscotch flavor. It’s typically undesirable in many American beer styles but contributes to flavor complexity in certain styles like Czech Pilsners. In high-alcohol beers (10%+), it may not be completely eliminated, and MEGA OBJECT contains trace amounts. While excessive amounts can be unpleasant, small quantities can add depth to the flavor profile.

Tasting Notes

Aroma

Intense aromas of melon and white grape emerge the moment it’s poured into a glass. The golden combination of Citra and Nelson Sauvin creates rich fruit scents, with notes of passion fruit and cannabis. The complex layering of aromas is distinctive, with different fruit notes emerging one after another.

Appearance

The beer displays the characteristic cloudy golden color of a Hazy IPA. It’s not completely opaque, allowing some light to pass through. The foam formation is substantial, leaving beautiful lacing on the glass. The foam persistence is moderate, gradually diminishing as you drink.

Flavor

The first sip reveals melon and white grape flavors from the Citra and Nelson combination. Then, while clearly showing its 10% alcohol strength, the pine resin character from Simcoe tightens the finish. There’s a hint of diacetyl (buttery flavor) that contributes to the complex layering of flavors. Despite the high alcohol content, it maintains excellent balance and drinkability.

Body

It has a slightly heavier body compared to typical Seattle Hazies. This characteristic is closer to New York style, but the mineral, crisp finish typical of Seattle style maintains the overall balance. The carbonation is moderate, creating a creamy mouthfeel.

Flavor Profile

Flavor Element	Intensity (1-5)	Characteristics
Bitterness	3/5	Moderate bitterness. Not as strong as typical West Coast IPAs
Sweetness	4/5	Strong sweet notes of melon and white grape
Acidity	2/5	Just a hint of refreshing acidity
Body	4/5	Slightly heavier among Seattle Hazies
Alcohol presence	4/5	The 10% ABV is clearly present but not difficult to drink
Resinous character	3/5	Distinctive pine resin from Simcoe in the aftertaste

Overall Impression

This beer strongly expresses the characteristics of Seattle-style Hazy IPA while showcasing new Head Brewer Ted O’Hanlan’s individual style. The balance between juiciness and resinous pine flavor is exquisite, and despite its high alcohol content, it remains approachable. The slight diacetyl notes contribute to the complexity of the flavor, making it a high-quality beer overall.

Overall Rating

Recommended Food Pairings

For a complex Hazy Triple IPA like MEGA OBJECT, these foods pair particularly well:

Here Today Brewery & Kitchen Visit Report

The following article provides a detailed account of visiting Here Today Brewery, where you can experience the authentic brewery atmosphere and enjoy delicious beers. If you’re planning to visit Seattle, this guide will be helpful.

Other Recommended Craft Beers from Here Today Brewery

Here Today Brewery is a relatively new brewery, and their innovative approach to brewing has attracted attention, especially since new Head Brewer Ted O’Hanlan joined. We plan to review various styles of their beers in the future.

Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where can I purchase MEGA OBJECT?

A: Currently, it’s primarily available at Here Today Brewery’s taproom. It may also be sold at select craft beer specialty stores in Seattle on a limited basis.

Q: How much of this 10% high-alcohol beer should I drink?

A: High-alcohol beers are best enjoyed in smaller quantities than regular beers. An 8-10 ounce (about 240-300ml) glass sipped slowly is recommended. Due to the high alcohol content, please be especially careful about drinking and driving.

Q: What’s the best way to store Hazy IPAs at home?

A: Freshness is crucial for Hazy IPAs. Store them in the refrigerator immediately after purchase and consume them as soon as possible (within 2 weeks). Avoid direct sunlight and temperature fluctuations, which can degrade the flavors.

Q: I want to try other Hazy IPAs. Do you have any recommendations?

A: In the Seattle area, we recommend Holy Mountain Brewing’s “Afterimage,” Fremont Brewing’s “Head Full of Dynomite” series, and Reuben’s Brews’ “Hazealicious.” Each offers Hazy IPAs with different characteristics to enjoy.

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