Hoppin’ Frog: Pentuple
A mere 3 and 1/2 hours away from home lurks the land of the Hoppin’ Frog. All the way out in Akron. So, suffice to say, I didn’t actually go and visit… yet. Instead, I found their product in cans at the local liqueur, and decided I would try this interesting brew. Let us play a game of quote the can label! “This new beer style is a Belgian-style Pentuple! It’s just like a Trippel that’s somewhat hoppy, light in color, and has its signature fruity and complex character. But our PENTUPLE is super-charged for more flavor, and ultimately more enjoyment!”
I should have picked up a Trippel to compare this too, but… meh.
This will actually be the third of the 4 cans I bought. I’ve honestly just been unable to get up the motivation to sit down at my computer to write about this.
So let’s start with a look at the beer itself.
I think one of the most important things on this label, is the 15.1% ABV. That is pretty damn high. I do not think I have ever managed to find a beer that is this high in alcohol content. And one sip of this reinforces the thought that this is crazy boozy. This is reflected quite well in the can’s size. Unlike a standard 12 oz can, this is a rather diminutive 8.45 oz can. It makes my hand look gigantic. Considering I am a giant, this isn’t necessarily uncommon, just more pronounced here. The can is only about 4 and 1/4 inches tall, and rather than my usual pint glass, I have it in one of my whisky glasses.
The whisky glass is extremely appropriate here, because the kick this baby has is more akin to a liqueur than a beer. This is not at all unpleasant. Honestly, it is kinda refreshing in its own way. The alcoholic kick it has at the end though can be pretty potent. I do not in any way endorse crushing a whole 4 pack in a single sitting. As a comparison, a regular old Budweiser is about 5% ABV, making this particular beer triple the alcohol content of a similar amount of Bud.
At the end of the day, this is a really decent beer, with a more than decent ABV. Drinking too many in one sitting is a definite way to get messed up, but if you’re at home and just want to get the feeling of drinking 3 beers without the messy amounts of liquid, this is the way to go.
