Chicagoist's Beer Of The Week: Revolution's Galaxy Hero

By Jason Baldacci in Food on Jun 6, 2014 7:30PM

This week, we're sipping on a beer that was made with some pretty funky, new strains of hops and we must say that we were pretty happy with the brewery's results.

Galaxy Hero is a limited release IPA from Revolution Brewing Co. Brewed with Galaxy and Zythos hops, the aroma is reminiscent of dripping fresh citrus with just a hint of floral spice. The palate, however, is a wonderful concentration of hop flavor. They lay it in pretty thick, and we picked up a smack of bright tropical fruitiness right up front. It's definitely grapefruit-forward, but there are underlying notes of kiwi and mango as well that are a little more restrained. There's a pop of pine that kicks in on the back end that lends a little extra bitterness overall, but the whole thing is balanced with just the right amount of caramel malty sweetness. At 6.6% alcohol content, Galaxy Hero would be a joy to drink for anyone in the mood for something hop-driven.

It's an exciting time for beer lovers in general with the craft beer industry moving in so many different directions, but it's especially an exciting time for hop lovers. Hop growers are crossbreeding and cultivating new strains of hops every year and brewers can load up their arsenals more than ever before. These new, experimental hop varietals are getting more fruity, spicy, piney and acidic than any other hops in the world, and the brewers at Revolution have done a great job showcasing some of these newcomers in their "Hero Series" of IPAs. We covered one featuring local Midwestern hops last year, and we're excited to see what they come up with next.

Check beermenus.com to see where you can get a taste of Galaxy Hero this weekend.