Sometimes you need to break from convention, throw caution to the wind, and dadgummit, just add more hops! A particularly appropriate occasion for such unfettered fearlessness occurred in 2008 for the 30th birthday of the visionary who crafted Huma Lupa Licious, Mr. Joe Short. Head Brewer Tony Hansen put on his sneaky brewer’s boots in order to surprise Joe with a unique birthday gift. Now, five years later, that beer has become the gift that keeps on giving to the entire state of Michigan: The Liberator! Starting Friday, December 20th, The Liberator hits shelves statewide for a very limited time!
The Liberator (7.5% ABV, 116 IBU) is a double IPA brewed with lemon and orange zest. This beast employs a sizable malt bill, but it’s the ridiculous amounts of hops added to the boil every 4 minutes, for 120 minutes, that is showcased in this beer. A fruity, floral, piney intensity of hops penetrates through the caramelized malt profile. This well balanced, full bodied brew finishes bitter with a punch of fresh citrus from the addition of lemon and orange zest post-fermentation.
The release of The Liberator is timed out again this year with Joe Short’s birthday week. So whether or not you’re able to make it over to Hop Cat in Grand Rapids for Joe’s birthday party tonight, be sure to snag your very own sixer of The Liberator. And then, it’s your turn to Liberate!
