This is a beer from the Hops Selection Series. It is, in fact, the only member of this series that I've ever seen. Given its name of Rustic Ridge, I'm going to go ahead and assume that we've got significant pine hops in this one. I could be wrong. Pine aren't typically my favorite kind of hops, but I have learned how they can be properly used to produce a very good beer. Highland certainly has the capability of producing a good beer, and I assume that's what they're gonna be doing now.
First sip reveals this to be a lot more pine than the aroma indicated, but it isn't overwhelming the other flavors. Instead, the citrus rinds flow very easily into the pine and tamp down the harsh nature of those kinds of hops while dryness on the backend supplants bitterness that would normally accompany this much hops. The sip is actually pretty good.
Tip-in is sweet resin of pine with very light carbonation. The middle rises to bring heightened carbonation as the sweet malt blends together with the flowers, citrus, and pine in a delightful mix in the center of the mouth. The finish is not nearly as dry as the sip, but it is quite dry, and flowers and pine are retained for the trail off.
Bottom Line: Magic and pine hops combine.
4.25/5
