Proper Brewing Riled Up Red and Epic Hopsters 

• Mike Riedel

Proper - Riled Up Red: This beer is named for Bill Riley, three-time local sports broadcaster of the year, who broadcasts from ESPN 700 in Salt Lake City. Proper says this ale was made to capture the intensity and excitement that Riley brings to every broadcast, while also toasting the legacy of the University of Utah Utes football team.

This beer is a traditional American red ale hopped with Galena and Cascade varietals. Its deep ruby color is nearly opaque, and has a large foamy off-white head. Aroma is pretty hoppy with pine and citrus rinds. American styles utilize American hops, and can vary from piney to fruity, while English styles will be more floral. No malts are detected—and now I'm just hoping it's not just another all-hops amber ale.

The taste begins really full and malty—balanced, smooth and session-worthy. This is definitely an American, with the Cascade hop being most prominent. There is that upfront tea-like flavor with a bit of chocolate malt poking through, mostly for complexity. For a lighter ale, its robust malt qualities are really round and full. That being said, it's not ultra-sweet at all, finishing rather dry, actually. I find this style fairly distinct from ambers and browns. And there is a notable hop presence. I tasted this one at near room temperature as well as slightly chilled, and it held up both ways.

Verdict: It is a style that takes me back, and reminds me of many happy pints with friends. It is a beautifully-executed example, and it's a shame beers like this have lost so much popularity. I hope this style won't continue to be so hard to find, and would gladly buy a four pack, as this red clearly holds up. I could imagine buying now and again, while passing on others. It's not going to be enjoyable if you're an "extreme beer" fiend; instead, think session beer done right. A good find.

Epic - Hopsters: This is a classic, West Coast-style double IPA brewed with new-age techniques and ingredients, including Amarillo Hopburst. This is the first year-round recipe developed by Epic's new head brewer, Jake Kirkwood, who has been experimenting with Hopburst for a while now.

Hopburst allows brewers to showcase the delightful hop profile in the flavor and aroma of the beer.

This DIPA pours a very hazy orange-slash-pineapple combination color, with a thumb-sized dense off white head that falls slow and laces well. Aroma is different—definite fruity pineapple notes, but also big hemp and grassy notes mingled in as well. The cannabis-like aromas aren't completely overwhelming, but it all makes sense within the theme of the beer. Initially, it's weird to have so much fruit, herbal and earthy hints together, but I think I like it.

Wow, there are some hops happening here as we get into the first swig. Herbal and resiny all over, with intense terpene swirling around citrus peel and stone fruit. Then, it mellows out slightly, transitioning to hints of pineapple and mango with lingering herbal notes from the front boomeranging back. It's interesting how the Hopburst lingers the way it does, hitting so fast and hard upfront but also lingering throughout the finish. I must say, this is an unusual double IPA, but I'll be damned if I'm not enjoying Hopsters' uniqueness.

Verdict: Well, this was a fun surprise, and definitely not the same-old double IPA. The 9.5 percent alcohol is a bit much with everything that's happening here, but I'm probably in the minority in that regard. Definitely worth trying.

I like that Epic put this high-ABV beer in a 12-ounce can. On the flip-side, Proper Brewing putting the lower-ABV Red Ale in a 16-ounce can works equally well. As always, cheers!