Florida Beer: Hop of the Muffin From Bangin' Banjo Brewery

Every week, we take a look at a craft beer brewed in Florida. Follow #FloridaBeerFriday for more reviews of Sunshine State brews. Get out there and #DrinkLocal.

This week I'm heading on over to Bangin' Banjo Brewery in Pompano Beach to check out their malty and tropical forward beer Hop of the Muffin IPA. 

Hopped generously with Cascade, Columbus, and Summit (a kind of big alpha acid Nugget variety), Hop of the Muffin comes to the table with simple but interesting collection of malts: With a base of Pale malts, it's rounded out with Caramel/Crystal and finally Rye. 

Hop of the Muffin pours a clear amber with a shade towards copper-orange. Standard beers of the brewery's lineup (that is, the lower ABV and core year-round offerings) are presented in glasses that resemble beer cans, an interesting approach to the glassware game, and one that unfortunately causes some challenges when attempting to rouse the beer to capture a bigger aroma. Regardless, rousing is possible, and once done so, the beer gives off aromas of Jolly Rancher, tangerine, and sweet and tart citrus in fairly big quantities. The initial nose is subdued, and it appears all of the goodness is being held in by the beer itself. 

The body is thicker and fuller than a traditional IPA, which gives a big almost chewy malty backbone to the dance of tropical hop flavors that dominate this beer. All of those same citrus-forward notes from the aroma are present in the flavor, with the addition of slightly resinous finish that closes off each sip.

This is a full and decidedly 'east coast' India pale ale. 

Currently, this IPA is available only at the Bangin' Banjo Brewery tap room, for either in-house drinkin' or growler take away. 

Bangin' Banjo Brewery is located at 3200 NW 23rd Ave #500, Pompano Beach. Call 954-978-3113, or visit banginbanjobrewing.com.

Doug Fairall is a craft beer blogger who focuses on Florida beers and has been a homebrewer since 2010. For beer things in your Twitter feed, follow him @DougFairall and find the latest beer pics on Clean Plate's Instagram.