Name – Exit 9
Country – United States
Type – American Red Ale

Just one more day of work!  That is all and then tomorrow I head to PA.  And to celebrate I am having a Philadelphia area brew.  Sure they are from Jersey and sometimes us PA and NJ folks don’t get along.  Jug handles and full service gas stations?  Really Jersey?  But they consider Philly their home market just over the Delaware River.

I’m having the latest in the Exit Series from them.  A series that celebrates (yes celebrates) the New Jersey Turnpike.  While many snicker at the thought of anyone glorifying this stretch of road (I’ll give you a minute to), the beers that I have had in this series are anything but lame. Exit 4 is the best tripel I’ve probably ever had.

This one, Exit 9, is a hoppy “scarlet” ale in tribute to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.  It is their university that is just off of exit 9 of the turnpike.  And if you know me then you know I love a hoppy red ale.

It pours into my New Belgium glass a murky red color.  There is a good sized sandy colored head on top and it leaves some good lacing along the glass.

The moment I started pouring the beer I got the huge citrus hop smell.  Placing my nose closer it’s even bigger.  Lots of scents of grapefruit and pines.  I even get a slightly biscuit malt aroma in the back.

But if you are looking for balance in the taste you won’t find much.  This is a hop bomb.  Tons of citrus and pine hops leave a great hop flavor and nice bitter finish.  Tiny bit of malt backing just to make it not overboard.

So Flying Fish said this is a hoppy beer and they weren’t kidding.  This is exactly what I wanted and hoped for in this beer.  Just a big assault of hops in a red ale.

I highly recommend  this latest creation in the Exit Series especially if you are a hop head.

Grade – A