Update – February 4th
The judges have spoken. At the Hop Mob Kickoff party, a panel of 16 judges tasted all 41 Hop Mob beers. In the end, it was generally agreed that the ten finalists were all exceptional beers.
The top ten, according to this particular panel of judges, are listed below. Now it’s up to you to see if you agree. Get out there and taste some beers. There are event planned over the next ten days. More info below and on the Hop Mob website.
1) Standard Brewing, Philastine Triple IPA
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2) Georgetown Brewing, Lindy Triple IPA
3) Skookum Brewing, Find that Fruit Triple IPA
The rest of the top 10, in alphabetical order:
7 Seas Brewing
Aslan Brewing
Bale Breaker Brewing
Boundary Bay Brewing
Cloudburst Brewing
Fremont Brewing
Three Magnets Brewing
Original Post
Tomorrow is the big day: Hop Mob kicks off on Thursday, February 4th. This is the third year for the Washington Hop Mob Triple IPA Roadshow (Hop Mob). But what does that mean to you? Well, it means the time of year to enjoy lots of Triple IPA is now upon us. That’s all.
Although the official kickoff event happens tomorrow at Bouwer’s Cafe in Seattle, you do not need to attend that one event, or any one event, to enjoy Hop Mob. Yes, it is quite likely that tomorrow’s big event will feature the largest selection of Triple IPAs ever assembled in one place, but there are other events spread out over the next 10 days that offer you plenty of opportunity to enjoy these uncommonly big and hoppy brews. Events are planned in Kirkland, Leavenworth, Tacoma, and Woodinville. Not to mention a total of five Hop Mob events across Seattle.
It’s About Beer, Not Just Events
Beyond the events, Hop Mob is a joint effort that sees dozens of Washington Breweries committed to releasing Triple IPA at the same time – the first week of February. Perhaps your favorite local brewery is on the list of 43 participating breweries and maybe they’ll tap into their Triple IPA at their own taproom. Check with them.
By our own definition, a Triple IPA is a very hoppy beer that clocks in at or above 10 percent ABV. It’s one louder than an Imperial IPA or Double IPA. Beyond that, there’s room for creativity.
Below, the complete list of participating breweries and also the list of Hop Mob events. You can also visit the Hop Mob website.
Hop Mob Breweries:
- 5 Rights Brewing
- 7 Seas Brewing
- Airways Brewing
- Aslan Brewing
- Bainbridge Brewing
- Bale Breaker Brewing
- Beardslee Public House
- Big Time Brewing
- Black Raven Brewing
- Cloudburst Brewing
- Diamond Knot Brewing
- Dirty Bucket Brewing
- Doghaus Brewery
- Elysian Brewing
- Foggy Noggin Brewing
- Fremont Brewing
- Geaux Brewing
- Georgetown Brewing
- Hale’s Ales Brewery
- Kulshan Brewing
- Lazy Boy Brewing
- Maritime Pacific Brewing
- Mollusk Brewery
- Naked City Brewery
- NW Peaks Brewing
- Populux Brewing
- Postdoc Brewing
- Rainy Daze Brewing
- RAM Restaurant and Brewery
- Reuben’s Brews
- Silver City Brewery
- Skookum Brewing
- Slaughter County Brewing
- Snipes Mountain Brewing
- Snoqualmie Falls Brewing
- Sound Brewery
- Standard Brewing
- Stoup Brewing
- Strong Arm Brewing
- Tacoma Brewing
- Valholl Brewing
- Wander Brewing
- Wingman Brewers
Hop Mob Events:
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4th
HOP MOB KICKOFF
BROUWER’S CAFE
3:00 PM – close
400 North 35th Street
Seattle, WA 98103
map
http://brouwerscafe.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/events/763641533741961/
The largest selection of Hop Mob beers on tap. Available in six-ounce pours or 12-ounce pours. Also available in flights of three: a la carte, you pick which three you want.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6TH
Hop Mob Roadshow Event
FLATSTICK PUB
Noon – close
15 Lake St.
Kirkland, WA 98033
map
At least a dozen Hop Mob beers on tap. Available in taster flights or by the glass. Starts at noon and the beers flow until they’re gone. www.flatstickpub.com
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8TH
Hop Mob Roadshow Event
THE RED HOT
All day (open at 11:00)
2914 6th Ave
Tacoma, WA 98406
map
The Hop Mob heads to Tacoma for a Roadshow event. Beers available in 6-ounce pours. Breweries include: Cloudburst, Bale Breaker, Airways, Rainy Daze, Stoup, Fremont, Tacoma Brewing, Wingman. More may be added. Also, Hoppy Hour Monday 3pm-7pm, half-a-buck off all IPAs.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9TH
Hop Mob Roadshow Event
MOLLUSK RESTAURANT + BREWERY
4:30 – 9:00
803 Dexter Ave N
Seattle, WA 98109
map
Chef Travis Kukull will devise a selection of dishes to pair with at least 8 triple IPAs, including their own. More details to come.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10TH
Hop Mob Roadshow Event
THE BERGSCHRUND
(NW Peaks Brewery)
4:00 – close
4818 17th Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98107
map
It’s a “Ballard versus WA competition!” [We all know that 8 or ten beers doesn’t make for a great scientific competition but we’re just trying to make it fun; as if copious amounts of 11% beer isn’t fun enough; I digress]. Kegs tapped at 4:00 (as noted). We’ll have either 8 or 10 Hop Mob IPAs available. Half of them will be from Ballard breweries and half from other areas in the state. Punch cards will be available for 4, 6, or 8 tastes (3.5 oz each). Full 9 oz pours will also be available for purchase.
Competition: We’ll give out 2 tasting glasses and 2 tastes (from the punch card) simultaneously. Everyone is suggested to participate in voting, but it’s not required. To vote, choose 1 ballard Hop Mob IPA and 1 non-ballard Hop Mob IPA for round 1. Between those 2 IPAs, choose a winner. Repeat for round 2, 3, and 4. We’ll tally up the votes throughout the night.
Keep an eye on facebook.com/NWPeaksBrewery for more details.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11th
Hop Mob Roadshow Event
BEVERIDGE PLACE PUB
2:00 PM – close
6413 California Ave SW
Seattle, WA 98136
map
The Hop Mob stops in West Seattle. Beers will be available in flights of 4-oz pours. Or order by the glass. Event runs all day, but typical “brewers night” festivities begin at 7:00. For details, follow Beveridge Place Pub on Facebook.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11th
Hop Mob Roadshow Event
COLLECTIVE ON TAP
5:00 – close
17802 134th Ave NE #6
Woodinville, WA 98072
map
At least 8 Hop Mob Triple IPAs on tap. Available in sample sized pours or in full pours.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12th thru SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14th
Hop Mob Roadshow Event
DER HINTERHOF
321 9th Street
Leavenworth, WA 98826
map
http://www.leavenworthbeergarden.com/
https://www.facebook.com/events/1136610739682768/
Up to 10 triple IPAs on tap. Beers available in flights of 5.5-ounce tasters.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13TH
Hop Mob Roadshow Event
Naked City Brewery and Taphouse
11:30 – close
8564 Greenwood Ave N
Seattle, WA 98103
map
Twelve Hop Mob beers on tap. Available in flights of three 5 oz pours, you pick which three you want. Starts when we open at 11:30am and the beer flows until it’s gone. Naked City’s Triple IPA, Phineas Gage, will also be available in schooners.
It means another series of beer events that almost completely ignore NE Seattle. Hurrah.