Millstream Brewing Company - Millie Hop

Millie Hop presents a well-hazed golden orange color, topped with a prominent head of off-white foam that leaves sheets of lace as we drain the glass. Produced with real grapefruit, it’s no surprise this New England-style IPA offers up plenty of grapefruit character on the nose, but there are a good deal of additional fruity notes in this highly aromatic brew. Look for lime, lemon, mild orange, and apricot-like stone fruit notes, along with a lush tropical floral impression. On the palate, that fresh grapefruit note takes center stage among all the other fruity elements to produce a supremely juicy, citrus-forward character. The mouthfeel is particularly smooth and creamy, a quality we greatly enjoy in hazy IPAs, and the hop bitterness comes through moderately firm, merging with the inherent bitterness of the grapefruit contribution to easily balance the slight hint of residual malt sweetness to ensure Millie Hop finishes nicely dry. For pairing options, we’re thinking fish or chicken tacos drizzled with lime juice; Hawaiian pizza; Thai dishes with lemongrass and moderate spiciness; teriyaki chicken with grilled pineapple; or grilled shrimp skewers with a citrus marinade and basting sauce.

If ever there was a place long overdue for a new brewery, it was Amana, IA. Until the Millstream Brewing Company opened their doors in 1985, the area had not been graced by the presence of a brewery for over 100 years. Why it took that long to get a brewery going in Amana, we don't know. What we do know is that the Millstream Brewing Company, founded by brothers James & Dennis Roemig and Carroll F. Zuber, was the first microbrewery in the state of Iowa, and was born out of a love for the finest European ales & lagers and the will to brew great, handcrafted beers locally. Oh, another thing we know... 35+ years after their beers hit the market, they just keep getting better!

In 2001 the brewery was sold to its current owners, Chris Priebe and Tom & Teresa Albert. Master brewer Chris trained at Chicago's world-famous Siebel Institute of Brewing Technology, so rest assured, his brewing skills make the cut on paper... But hey, paper doesn't taste all that great, so get to the tasting notes below and pour a couple Millstream beers for the real proof.

If you're ever in the area of Amana, IA, stop by Millstream's Brau Haus for some tasty German pub fare in addition to their excellent beers (as well as their hand-crafted root beer, ginger beer, and cream soda). For more information about the brewery, call 319-622-3672 or check out their web site at www.millstreambrewing.com.