The black ink graphic on the silver bullet can takes you back to the 70's via the kind of art work that always seemed to include a moon, some stars, a wizard and a mushroom. But if you think you're in a time machine, you'd better think more like "Back to the Future", because this is in no way the resurrection Billy Beer. The Alchemist's simple, no frills website describes the flavor as imparting wave after wave of hops, the result of a proprietary blend of six hops. And that's a good metaphor. Though the subject of much speculation, what hops, where they are grown, or at what schedule they are added to the boil is not disclosed. However, they do mention that it's 8%, making it a heavy pint.
On the pour, it's a cloudy golden color, as you can see, and the froth isn't dramatic after say, half the glass is gone (which is fast, since this stuff is like liquid crack), making it just right. The aroma, and flavor-- also just right, with subtle, distinct, lingering hops to the nose, and wonderfully balanced malt flavor to big, sexy hop flavors, but not at all bitter, all of which makes this a kind of a Goldy Locks and the Three Bears Double IPA. I kept thinking "this is the kind of beer you would expect after watching those comical Sam Adam's commercials that featured "a pound of hops in every batch", with high def. images of hops piled high in the brewery."
You can't seem to buy this stuff anywhere, ever, unless you drive to Vermont, which may be another good excuse to take the time to actually go skiing before spring kicks in. We sampled a glass with Kenny (offsite), who owns one of the best craft beer bars in New York City on West 23rd Street, AKA the Guilty Goose, which is always lined with beer geeks and hop groupies, if you're ever looking for a good beer debate.
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