Rooftop Brewing Co. Hoppin Honey Braggot Ale Review

We're looking at a new beer from our friends at Rooftop Brewing Co.  Brewmaster Craig Christian created a rarely seen Braggot Ale.  According to BeerAdvocate.com, Braggot is an old drink dating as far back as the 12th century in Ireland.  Traditionally a Braggot was made by combining spices with mead and beer to produce a strong drink with uncommon flavors.  

At first pour the color is the most distinct characteristic.  This ale has a dark golden honey color which is very fitting as this braggot is brewed with Artie's Harvest Washington State Honey.  The thick sweetness is on full display as you take your first sip.  Syrupy honey is what comes to mind as this ale hits your palette.  Next, a mildly sour hop flavor seeps up and joins the sweet honey to create an interesting blend of sweet and sour.  The blend is perfectly balanced.

This beer goes down easy, so easy you'll be finished with the bottle before you know it.  The body is smooth and sweet which makes for an easy swallow.  Overall, this ale is well-balanced.  I loved the syrupy honey flavor.  It's not so much sweet as it captures the flavor of sweet honey.  I can just imagine a beekeeper smoking bees to keep them pacified as they are gathering honeycomb.  That smoky, thick, molasses-like flavor oozing from the honeycomb is what comes to mind while drinking this beer.  

It's the perfect Winter ale for the Pacific Northwest.  Sitting in a dark bar for a couple hours watching the Supersonics, ahem, Thunder play, while it's dark and cold and rainy outside, you need something satisfying.  I like beers that are also fun and tasty and happy as well.  This beer hits all those notes perfectly.  

This is a limited edition beer.  You can pick some up at Seven Market & Cafe in Ravenna, or at Rooftop Brewing Company's rooftop brewpub in 22 oz. bottles.  Oh yeah, the alcohol content of this beer is 11.2%.  Fun!