I had a pretty rocky beginning with Feral - certainly didn't appreciate the white lager much over a couple of tastings last year - but Hop Hog at least has been a fun revelation. It's got a great boisterous nose on it and you know from the start you're in for a herbal, floral kick of hops. Bitterness is not extraordinary but comes in nicely throughout. It's quite quenching and at 5.8% a good match for the body.
Head retention is exceptional for this beer - it maintains a lovely, powdery head all the way to the bottom over the dark amber body. This is consistent over numerous pours in different glasses.
Hop Hog's starting to turn up in Woolworths bottle stores now which is nice, and I understand Feral have entered a venture with Nail brewing to rapidly expand production also. Can't wait to see more of it about & will need to get up to the brewery sometime soon also. A solid 8.5 and puts a smile on my face every time.
Verified (again). It's a top drop this. Had the 'barrel aged' version also, which is rounder in character, slight woody nature, less abrasive hops, slight vanilla. Interesting! Worthy 2012 winner of the Critic's Choice.
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