Redhook Long Hammer IPA
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Tasting Notes
Long Hammer leads with moderate citrus and pine hop aromas — think grapefruit peel and a touch of resin — without going overboard on intensity. The flavor follows suit: a clean malt backbone provides enough sweetness to balance the bitterness, which lands firm but not aggressive. Body is medium, with a dry, slightly piney finish that lingers. It's a straightforward West Coast-leaning IPA that doesn't chase trends but delivers consistent hop character.
About the Brewery
Redhook is one of the Pacific Northwest's founding craft breweries, established in Seattle in 1981 and later expanding operations to New Hampshire and beyond. They were among the earliest craft producers in the region and helped shape what Pacific Northwest brewing became. Over the decades the brand has traded some of its indie cachet through a partnership with Anheuser-Busch InBev's distribution network, but they remain a recognizable and widely available name, particularly in the Northwest.
Food Pairings
The firm bitterness and citrus notes here work well with greasy or fatty foods that need cutting — think fish and chips, where the hops scrub through the oil, or a char-grilled burger where malt sweetness echoes the caramelized crust. Spicy Thai noodles are a natural match because the resinous hops stand up to chili heat without amplifying it. Aged cheddar pairs nicely too, its sharpness complementing rather than fighting the bitterness. A Tex-Mex spread — tacos, carnitas, grilled peppers — would round things out well.
Style Guide
American IPA is defined by assertive hop bitterness and aroma derived predominantly from American hop varieties like Cascade, Centennial, and Chinook, which tend to read as citrus, pine, and resin rather than the floral or earthy notes of their English counterparts. The malt bill is present but restrained, serving as a platform rather than a feature. ABV typically runs 6–7.5%, and bitterness units skew high. It diverged from English IPA in the 1980s and 90s as American craft brewers leaned into the bold, punchy character of domestic hops.