#FloridaBeerFriday: A-10 Hophog Red IPA From Copperpoint Brewing Company

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 sweeping through Palm Beach County and hitting up Copperpoint Brewing Company, nestled in the Brewery District of Boynton Beach, and checking out their A-10 Hophog, a 7% ABV red IPA. 

As a red India Pale Ale, it's a dutifully malt-packed brew, full of Mosaic hops which push forward bright tropical flavors. The style is considered an 'other', one of the emerging sub-categories of IPA according to the Brewer's Association, which states that they will be "brewed at a higher strength and hopped like an IPA. Typically, redder in color than an IPA, with deep ruby hues."

It pours a rich crystal clear red that radiates out to a deep orange around the edges. Perhaps the colors of red IPAs is a huge factor in my enjoyment of them. 

The aromas here are slightly malt forward, almost wet grain like, and it shares a bit of tropical citrus hop character as well. The flavor is where this beer really gets interesting as it pushes across the palate. It begins light and almost bready before coming into resinous and sticky hop components. There's a middle body of rich dark caramel that sweeps through before bringing on spicy, peppery, and crisp hop bitterness. 

Overall it's fairly balanced with a nice kick. It may not be what incredibly hop-focused lupulin heads are looking for, but it's definitely got me coming back for it again and again.

Copperpoint Brewing Company is located at 151 Commerce Rd, Boynton Beach. Call 561-508-7676, or visit copperpointbrewingcompany.com.

Doug Fairall is a craft beer blogger who focuses on Florida beers. He is a Certified Beer Server 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.