Humble Sea Brewing Co. x North Park Beer Co. Fog Force 4
A collaborative masterpiece of haze and hops, Fog Force 4 is a powerful Imperial Double IPA born from the fusion of two of California's most celebrated breweries. This is a beer that takes the beloved "Foggy IPA" style to a new stratosphere, showcasing an immense hop profile and an incredibly smooth, juicy finish. It’s a must-try for aficionados of hazy, hop-driven beers.
A Story of Two Californian Masters
Humble Sea Brewing Co., located in Santa Cruz, has built a cult following for its signature "Foggy IPAs," known for their soft texture and explosive tropical aromas. Meanwhile, San Diego's North Park Beer Co., led by award-winning Brewmaster Kelsey McNair, has become a powerhouse of both classic West Coast IPAs and modern hazies. Fog Force 4 is the result of their combined expertise, a collaboration that marries Humble Sea's hazy artistry with North Park's precision in hop selection and balance. This beer represents a meeting of two minds, pushing the boundaries of what a modern DIPA can be.
Key Features
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Hop Fused DIPA: Brewed as a Double IPA at 8.5% ABV, this beer delivers a strong and warming character without sacrificing its smooth, drinkable nature.
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Complex Hop Profile: A massive dry-hop combination of Simcoe Cryo, Citra, Waimea, and Nelson creates an intricate and layered flavor profile.
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Silky Smooth Mouthfeel: The use of adjunct grains (such as wheat and oats) creates a soft, pillowy body that is the hallmark of a true "foggy" IPA.
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Collaboration with a Champion: This beer is a partnership with North Park Beer Co., a brewery celebrated as "Brewery of the Year" at the Great American Beer Festival, ensuring a top-tier level of quality and craftsmanship.
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Haze-Forward Style: This beer is a full-bodied, non-chill-filtered Hazy DIPA that showcases a beautiful, opaque appearance.
Tasting Notes
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Nose: An intensely aromatic bouquet of pineapple, passion fruit, and juicy mango, with zesty notes of citrus peel and a hint of white wine and dankness from the Nelson hops.
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Palate: A velvety, dense, and hoppy body with a burst of tropical fruit juice and a creamy texture. Flavors of sweet mango, apricot, and ripe pineapple are balanced by a gentle hop bitterness.
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Finish: A smooth and satisfying finish that is exceptionally clean for a beer of its strength, with lingering notes of tropical fruit and a pleasant, subtle hop resin.
Awards & Acclaim
While this specific collaboration is a limited release, both Humble Sea and North Park Beer Co. are multi-award-winning breweries. Humble Sea has been recognized as a "California Craft Brewers Cup Best In Show" winner, while North Park Beer Co. has been named "Brewery of the Year" at the Great American Beer Festival and has won numerous medals for its IPAs, including a gold for its flagship Hop-Fu!. The reputation of these two breweries speaks for itself, and this collaboration is a testament to the quality and innovation that have earned them a place among the best.
The Overall Expression: A Hazy Powerhouse
Fog Force 4 is a beer that is truly greater than the sum of its parts. It's a testament to the art of collaboration, combining the best of the West Coast IPA and the modern Hazy IPA styles. This DIPA offers an unparalleled hop experience, with a soft body and an explosive flavor profile that will delight fans of the style. It's a beer that is both a statement of excellence and an invitation to experience the cutting edge of American craft brewing.
