Humboldt Hemp Ale

From Nectar Ales – Affiliated with the Nectar Ales experience through shared origins at Humboldt Brewing Company, Hemp Ale is a one-of-a-kind brew that boasts an incredibly rich profile and unique herb-accented flavor that is attributable to the incorporation of hemp seeds into the brewing process. A wonderful brown ale full of complexity Hemp Ale is great with food or by itself. American hops create a perfect balance to the darker malts used in this brew.

Nectar Ales – Humboldt Hemp Ale – 12 oz. bottle poured into a pint glass. 5.7% abv. Purchased at Certified Market – Monrovia, CA.

Appearance: Pours a dark amber brown with a decent looking 1/4 inch of tan cream.

Aroma: Dry malt, bread crust and other earthy herbal notes I can’t quite describe.

Taste: Bread crust, burnt and toasted European malts and subtle  bitter hops.

Mouthfeel: Full bodied and modestly carbonated.

Overall: I feel like I got a fresh bottle,based on the updated crowns on the bottle. I like this a lot better than when I had it on tap years ago. For the marijuana aficionados, this beer doesn’t taste or smell like weed. Go grab a bottle of Green Flash Hop Head Red or Imperial IPA if you are looking for that.

Bonus: This beer was originally brewed by Humboldt Brewing, which got bought by Firestone Walker in the early turn of this century. Humboldt Brewing was re-branded as Nectar Ales, but the Hemp Ale remained known as Humboldt Hemp Ale, due to the challenges of regaining label approval using the word hemp on a beer product. Earlier this year, Firestone Walker re-branded the beer to Humboldt Brown Ale, however I have not seen the re-branded product yet.