Under The Radar typically focuses on a brewery that we want to highlight. A brewery that isn’t often mentioned among the best in the craft industry, but should be. Well, today’s subject is even further under the radar than usual, but we are guessing that won’t last too long.
Oval Brewing Company is a brand new brewery out of Columbus Ohio. Like many others in the current landscape, they are just trying to get things started. They were able to reach a Kickstarter campaign goal earlier this year, and have since been ramping up for their official launch. More from Oval…
Oval Brewing is a start-up commercial brewery and tap-room, once open it will operate as a “social brewery” in Columbus, Ohio. It will be a production facility producing kegs and cans of craft beer for the local market. Attached to the brewery will be a tasting room where patrons can interact with the brewers, hang out, learn and -of course- taste.
OBC will have various social functions beyond creating excellent beer; the brewery space will be available as an event space for both public and private functions, a small entertainment venue, team building events, home-brewing classes and team-building workshops. We are also creating a “virtual boardroom” where customers can vote on upcoming beers and styles. These pieces will allow us to communicate directly with the our customers and community.
Sounds good right? But I’ll be honest, these days, everyone and their brother seems to be starting a brewery! So what it comes down to ultimately is, what does the beer taste like?
Well, I was fortunate enough to recently get my hands on a couple of Oval brews, and I have to say, I was very impressed. I tried their Back Nine Pale Ale, which is a hoppy pale with Zombie Dust aspirations. While nothing quite measures up to ZD, this hopped up pale, which was dry hopped with Amarillo and Simcoe as well, is pretty tasty.
So, alright Oval, I’m listening, what else you got?
I cracked the Underdog Imperial IPA next. I’m pretty skeptical when it comes to DIPA’s anymore, I’ve been spoiled by what I consider some of the best in the world and I’ll just say, none of them come from Ohio. So the Underdog carries the appropriate name stepping into this ring.
But wow, this is a fantastic DIPA. I’m not messing around about it, this is a gem. A huge floral and citrusy nose jumps out of the glass and uppercuts you right away, followed by the roundhouse hop explosion after your first taste. Ok, enough with the boxing metaphors, but you get the picture.
Brewed with All American Malts, and copius ammounts of Summit, Citra, Simcoe, Cascade, and Chinook hops. Dry hopped with Simcoe and Citra prior to kegging/canning to give you a face full of citrus and piney aromas.
Citra, Simcoe, Summit, Cascade, and Chinook? Yes, they are all present. Underdog has a bit of a malty quality as well, I think that’s where the Simcoe really bites, but the Citra and other hop strains make their presence known as well.
I’ll just say this. Underdog is the closest thing to Heady Topper I’ve ever had. And I think Heady Topper is the best IPA on the planet. There, I said it.
So let’s hope this and others get brewed with consistency and get brewed quickly, because I’m already craving another taste. Look out for Oval Brewing, coming soon.
