Best Gluten Free Beers

Departed Soles Brewing Bumper Hops IPA

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Departed Soles Brewing Bumper Hops IPA

New England Style IPA from New Jersey

Today, I’m excited to bring you a review for the Bumper Hops IPA brewed by Departed Soles Brewing Co. in New Jersey. Based in Jersey City, Departed Soles brews both regular and gluten free beers, taking very special care to ensure their gluten free styles are safe for Celiacs to consume.

This will be my second review of Departed Soles. The first was for their GoodbIPA, so if you missed it, I’ll attach a link at the end of this review. Like the GoodbIPA, the Bumper Hops is packaged in 12 ounce cans and as far as I know, its distribution is still limited to the east coast at this time.

Bumper Hops gluten free new england style ipa

Bumper Hops IPA has a 6.1% ABV and is brewed on a base of millet, buckwheat, (GF) oats, corn, quinoa, AND rice! 6 different grains in one beer?! Whoa! This New England style IPA features the Citra, El Dorado, and Amarillo hop. A tropical trifecta.

Real quick…a have some unfortunate news.

While I DID film this beer pour in my typical fashion, what I didn’t realize was that I was talking to myself the whole time…(see video) For the reasons mentioned in the recording, I have decided to post the full video in real time for everyone. You know…so I could explain myself. ????

The Taste Test

Bumper Hops New England Style IPA

The Bumper Hops New England Style IPA poured with a vibrant yet hazy orange hue. It did have some head (which I have no evidence of), but it was about a 3/4″ head that bubbled away within 15-20 seconds.

My first sniff of this Departed Soles beer instantly transported me to my favorite Caribbean beach! ????…and when I came back, I took the time to notice each and every tropical fruit that I detected in the aroma. For me, the mango, banana, and citrus notes were heaviest. It’s so wonderful, I didn’t want to stop sniffing.

This is definitely one of those beers whose taste mirrors its aroma. The Bumper Hops IPA is a beautiful beer, in both respects. It has a medium body and moderate carbonation. The beer looks a bit flat once the head vanishes, but it doesn’t taste that way whatsoever.

The first thing you notice in the flavor experience is the juiciness. It’s the first reaction when the beer hits your palate. The second is texture-based. The fruity component is followed by a zingy fine-bubbled carbonation character. Next comes the malt body, which is certainly complex (thanks to all 6 of those grains!), and that’s followed up with the hop bitterness which presents as a slow build to a fairly mild bitterness level.

departed soles gluten free beer

The juiciness lingers the most after the swallow, further lightening the perception of bitterness on the throat. Departed Soles did a fantastic job with this IPA in my opinion. I’m in love. It’s as if New England and Costa Rica had a baby, and that baby was a beer. ???? But seriously…why do I only have one of these?!

#MorePlease

I’m really wishing I wan’t 3000 miles away from this brewery right now.

Departed Soles Brewing Bumper Hops IPA 1

By the way, if you missed my first Departed Soles Brewing review, here’s your chance to get caught up! This GoodbIPA was less tropical, but ever-so deserving of its flagship status…Departed Soles Brewing GoodbIPA.

More to come…stay tuned!

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P.S. Like what I do for the gluten free beer community? Consider buying me a beer for my efforts! ;)

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