Block 15 Sticky Hands
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Tasting Notes
Sticky Hands pours with an assertive wave of tropical and dank aromatics — ripe mango, passionfruit, and a resinous pine undercurrent that signals serious hop loading. On the palate, the fruit-forward character stays prominent but the bitterness has real backbone, keeping things from veering into juice territory. The body is full without being heavy, and the malt base is deliberately understated, there to support rather than compete. The finish is long and resinous, with hop oils that linger in a way that rewards slow drinking.
About the Brewery
Block 15 is based in Corvallis, Oregon, and has been operating since 2008. They built their reputation on hop-forward ales and a rotating cast of farmhouse and wild ales, which gives their lineup an unusual range — they're as comfortable with a saison or a barrel-aged sour as they are with a double IPA. Sticky Hands has become something of a signature release and a consistent reference point in the Pacific Northwest hop conversation.
Food Pairings
The resinous bitterness and tropical hop character here cut well against rich, fatty foods — braised pork shoulder works because the fat tempers the bitterness while the fruit notes mirror any stone-fruit elements in the braise. Aged cheddar or a sharp Manchego holds its own against the hop intensity without being overwhelmed. Spicy Thai noodles find a workable counterpoint in the beer's sweetness. A burger with caramelized onions lets the malt backbone finally show up to the conversation.
Style Guide
American Double or Imperial IPAs are essentially regular American IPAs pushed to an extreme — more hops, more malt to balance them, and ABVs that generally run from around 7.5% to well over 10%. The style originated in the American craft brewing scene in the late 1990s and early 2000s as brewers began experimenting with hop maximalism. What separates it from a standard IPA is the intensity on every axis: bitterness is more aggressive, aroma is denser, and the body is fuller, though the best examples avoid tipping into cloying sweetness by keeping the malt presence supportive rather than dominant.