We all know it’s pretty much impossible not to sing along with Lion King’s iconic opening scene. You know, when that wise-looking monkey proudly presents Simba above a chorus of African animals stomping and tossing their heads, basically losing their s*** over the new, royal cub. 

That song gets me every time. 

So when I tried today’s Killer Lion Fresh Hop IPA 2019, made with more than 8lbs of Fresh Hops per barrel (over double the average IPA!), I unwittingly let out the same Disney melody, raising the bottle up like it was friggin’ baby Simba, “Naaaaa savenaaaa, dis beer is da bombbbb!”

See, if you didn’t know, Fresh Hops are kind of a big deal. 

With a harvest window that only last a few weeks each year in the Pacific Northwest, brewers high-tail it to local farms and pick hops straight off the vines! Then, in order to earn the official “fresh” title, crews must get those dank lil’ green buds into the boil within 48hrs of being plucked. 

And the Oregon Beer Award-winners at Double Mountain Brewery take this freshness to even crazier extremes! These brewers pick the freshest, dankest, resinous hops for today’s brew and without drying them, add ‘em straight from farm-to-boil within two hours!

This hustle and expertise lends earthier, brighter, stickier characteristics to the beer compared to other typical IPAs, in addition to a potent, dank aroma. 

Trust us when we say, you don’t know fresh until you’ve tried a Fresh Hop pour. One sip of today’s limited-release brew will have you roaring like the leader of your own craft pride! 

This year’s Killer Lion pours fierce with a blend of mega-ripe Citra, Centennial, Mosaic and Cascade Hops, capturing massive notes of tart blood orange and resinous hints of pine. Each sip is dangerously balanced, sneaking by the 7.8% ABV that’ll leave you in a *Hakuna-Matata* state of mind. 

With only 35 barrels made of today’s viciously delicious Lion, joining its exclusive pride is quite the honor. And once this batch is gone, it’ll be at least another year until you get another chance. So grab a bottle while you can and unleash a victorious, Mufasa-worthy roar! 

*This beer is too new for reviews

Note: Move up your shipping date to taste these fresh hops at their very best. Call in sick. Rearrange your schedule. That’s the whole point of Fresh Hop season — to drink hoppy beer at its freshest!

Packaged On September 25th, 2019