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Top 100 Beers of 2021
The best of The Beer Connoisseur® magazine's Official Review in 2021, including a whopping 13 World Class rated beers as evaluated by our judges.
#2
98
Hazy Sabro IPA
pFriem Family Brewers
Co-Founder & Brewmaster Josh Pfriem Talks Hazy Sabro
Who was responsible for this beer’s recipe?
The brewery management team at pFriem.
What sets this beer apart from other examples within the style?
I think the use of Sabro hops makes this beer highly unique and intriguing. The spicy, woody, and punchy nature of this powerful (and almost weird) hop plays very well in the soft and fluffy base of a hazy IPA.
What makes this beer truly World Class?
Our overall approach to brewing beer is to take a high-quality direction, give a nod to the historical inspiration from where the beer style comes from, and then make it uniquely pFriem.
What is your favorite aspect of this beer (flavor, aroma, mouthfeel, etc.)?
The mix of the intense woodiness from the hops and soft mouthfeel from the malt and adjuncts.
How popular is this beer among your faithful fans?
This is a limited release that we do in the winter, and it definitely sells out quickly.
Where does this beer’s name come from?
At pFriem, we simply just call the beer what it is. In this case it is a hazy IPA with a focus on Sabro hops.
Is this your “desert island beer?”
It’s a fun and interesting beer but not my desert island beer.
Can you describe this beer in 10 words or less?
Papaya, key lime, peach and cantaloupe with nectarine and lychee.
Judge’s Second Opinion
The first whiff of Hazy Sabro IPA announces the presence of a top-shelf beer. A ménage à trois of hops produces intense yet soft aromas. Mosaic’s fruitiness works with the citrus notes of the Citra with some light floral notes in the background. The Citra and Sabro keep the Mosaic from dominating while adding depth and complexity. Spend a little time and you can pick out a range of citrus and tropical fruit – lemon, key lime, grapefruit, berry, tropical fruit and hints of stone fruit all make an appearance. Light grainy sweetness from the malt and a neutral fermentation character support the hops.
The flavors follow and build on the aroma with added complexity and balance. Each sip unveils a new delight. A burst of fruity, juicy hops features the full flavor range of the Mosaic, Citra and Sabro as citrus, tropical fruit, berries and traces of other fruits harmonize with one another. The malt provides support but avoids toasty or caramel flavors. Nothing is offkey or out of place.
This beer throws no sharp elbows. This style is all about the hops, and Hazy Sabro stands out for hitting all the right notes, the brewer’s handling of the hops, development of hop flavors, and having nothing out of place achieved with true artistry.
An oft-pondered question is: “If you could only drink one beer for the rest of your life, what would it be?” For me, this could be that beer. If I could get it, I would drink Hazy Sabro every day. Unfortunately, pFriem only distributes to the West Coast. The beer can multitask. Drink it in a bar or a supper club. Pair it with a bacon onion cheeseburger or a T-bone steak, a pizza or a plowman’s lunch, curry, burritos, fish and chips or mac and cheese, or drink it with a restaurant dinner that costs more than your first car. A restaurant near my house serves a buttermilk chicken sandwich – duroc bacon, pepper jack cheese and sriracha aioli on grilled la brea sourdough. If I ever get a couple more of these beers, the chef and I are going to sit down with his sandwich and pFriem’s beer for one of the top food and beer pairings ever. – Pat Mulloy