What happens when a beer-maker decides to go into the vodka business?
http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2013/...odka-met-beer/
The bottle: Hophead Vodka, $29.95
The backstory: What happens when a beer-maker decides to go into the vodka business? It makes a spirit that’s something of a combo of the two. Hophead comes courtesy of San Francisco’s storied Anchor Brewers & Distillers, whose namesake steam beer remains an American classic. But over the past couple of decades, Anchor has also made a name for itself with spirits – specifically, Old Potrero Whiskey and Junipero Gin. Hophead was the brainchild of new Anchor Distilling President David King, who was inspired by the aroma of hops throughout the brewery side of the biz. Hophead is indeed made with hops – in this case, two types sourced from Washington’s Yakima Valley. But it would be a mistake to call it a flavored vodka since the hops are distilled with the grain neutral spirit, King explains, not added later in the process. King suggests a different term to describe the drink — “a hopped vodka,” he says.
What we like about it: You do get a true beer-y flavor here, but not in an obnoxious way. The hops announce themselves the way juniper does in a great gin — just enough to leave a tasteful impression (literally). Hophead works as a straight sipper, with just a little ice. But it’s cocktail-friendly, too: Anchor suggests a Hopped-up Mary (think a Bloody Mary with Hophead in place of gin) or a San Fran Shandy (with Hophead and ginger liqueur). Cheers!
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