Dogfish Head brews ‘hoppiest ever’ beer

A US brewery has launched what it claims is the “hoppiest beer ever documented” measuring 658 IBUs (international bittering units), some 600 units higher than the average IPA.

The Dogfish Head brewing team

Named Hoo Lawd, the limited edition ale has been brewed by Dogfish Head Brewery in Delaware using an experimental hop called “Alpha Beast”, along with Simcoe, Warrior and Amarillo hops in CO2 extract.

Suitable only for hardcore hopheads, Hoo Lawd comes in at a tongue-twisting 658 IBUs, compared to the average IPA which comes in at between 40-60 IBUs.

“It’s abnormally intense enough that it immediately leads to the abnormal spelling of words”, said Dogfish founder and president Sam Calagione, “as in, ‘Hoo Lawd I can’t seem to stop myself from taking another sip even though this is DEFCON-one-hoppy!’”

While other beers have claimed to achieve higher IBUs, Dogfish claims Hoo Lawd is the “hoppiest commercial beer ever brewed”, having received scientific confirmation from two independent labs.

“Hoo Lawd isn’t for everyone, but we’ve had a lot of fun and learned a lot about pushing the outer limits of hop dosing volumes and techniques with this experimental brew”, said Calagione.

The beer will be available on tap at Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats in Delaware on 2 December and will also be available at Extreme Beer Fest, due to be held in Boston this coming spring – an event that Dogfish Head has sponsored for many years.