Hop House 13 Lager
2 logs on Brewskipotatoes
Tasting Notes
The aroma leads with dried citrus peel and a mild tropical fruit note, likely from the Cascade and Topaz hops used in the dry-hopping process. On the palate, there's a light biscuit malt base that keeps things grounded while the hop character pushes forward with a gentle resinous bitterness. The body is medium-light and the carbonation is moderate. The finish is relatively dry with a lingering hop presence that distinguishes it from a standard European lager.
About the Brewery
Guinness is based at St. James's Gate in Dublin, Ireland, where it has been brewing since 1759, making it one of the oldest operating breweries in the world. The company is best known globally for its dry Irish stout, but it has expanded its portfolio considerably in recent decades to include lagers, IPAs, and other styles. Hop House 13 represents part of that diversification push, brewed under the Guinness name but positioned toward the craft-leaning lager drinker.
Food Pairings
Grilled chicken works well here because the mild hop bitterness cuts through the fat without overwhelming the meat's seasoning. Fish and chips is a natural match since the dry finish does the same job as a squeeze of lemon, balancing the fried coating. A plate of charcuterie with aged gouda lets the biscuit malt note find common ground with the nutty, savory cured flavors. Spicy Thai noodles benefit from the hop-forward character, which stands up to chili heat rather than disappearing behind it.
Style Guide
A hopped lager sits between a standard European pale lager and a full India Pale Lager — it uses cold fermentation and lagering for a clean, smooth base, but adds aromatic or dual-purpose hops at late stages to introduce noticeable hop character without heavy bitterness. ABV typically falls in the 4.5–5.5% range, keeping it sessionable. The style gained commercial traction as craft brewing influenced mainstream producers who wanted to offer something more hop-forward than a pilsner but more approachable than an IPA. What separates it from a pilsner is the emphasis on new-world hop aroma over the noble-hop spice and dry, lean body that defines that tradition.