Dan Rogers began his brewing life making custom ales for the Big Rock Chophouse in Birmingham, Michigan, and quietly building up Griffin Claw until a fortuitous break (built on great beer making) won him two medals at the World Beer Cup. Now Griffin Claw's taproom is a shrine to great beer, where half a dozen year-round beers are lined across the lumber of the bar and complemented by a dozen seasonal beers rotated across the calendar. In the spirit of returning the generosity felt over the years, Griffin Claw makes a point of touring the state to serve up frosty beers at big events, including charity runs and music festivals. Recently achieving nation-wide distribution and gracing the Craft Club twice in less than a year, Griffin Claw may become your new favourite. The Haze Force is a New England style IPA, bolder in fruit flavour than other IPAs and less aggressive in the hops. Serves well at 8°C and should be enjoyed promptly.
Pours a frothy, hazy golden colour with lots of carbonation and a body to match its name. A thick, pillowy head of foam comes out of the can with sticky lacing and a finger’s worth of white bubbly on top.
Tropical fruit flies out of the glass, juicy and sweet, heavy on the mango and pineapple. Hops are light and flowery in the background, with a slight edge of citrus zest. There’s a bit of nose tingling spice that’s difficult to nail down.
A laid back version of the nose, delivering a sweet, muddled mix of tropical fruit where the mango stands out among its peers. Hops are more noticeable on the palate, flowery with some herbal quality and steady throughout the tasting. The fruit and flowers fade quickly, evolving into a grassy, earthy taste from the hops and a slightly dry finish in the mouth.
Mild and slightly fruity flavour from this beer would pair up well with juicy and well-spiced roast chicken and rosemary potatoes.