Millstream Brewing Company - Haze E. Hop

Haze E. Hop presents a well-hazed golden orange color, topped with a prominent head of off-white foam that leaves sheets of lace as we drain the glass. On the nose, look for a good deal of fruity notes in this highly aromatic brew, evoking citrus fruits and apricot-like stone fruit character, along with a lush tropical floral impression and a wisp of pine. Additional notes of spicy rye malt come forth, as well. On the palate, we get a supremely juicy citrus and somewhat tropical fruit-forward character. The mouthfeel is particularly smooth and creamy, a quality we greatly enjoy in hazy IPAs, thanks in part to the use of oats in the grist. There’s plenty of maltiness in the core of this beer, and Haze E. Hop also offers pretty firm perceived hop bitterness – more than its Millstream stablemate, Widowmaker – and it easily balances the hint of residual malt sweetness to ensure this brew finishes nicely dry. For pairing options, we’re thinking Hawaiian pizza; Thai dishes with lemongrass and moderate spiciness; teriyaki chicken with grilled pineapple; or a grilled chicken sandwich with bacon, spring mix, and citrus aioli.

If ever there was a place long overdue for a new brewery, it was Amana, IA. Until the Millstream Brewing Company opened their doors in 1985, the area had not been graced by the presence of a brewery for over 100 years. Why it took that long to get a brewery going in Amana, we don't know. What we do know is that the Millstream Brewing Company, founded by brothers James & Dennis Roemig and Carroll F. Zuber, was the first microbrewery in the state of Iowa, and was born out of a love for the finest European ales & lagers and the will to brew great, handcrafted beers locally. Oh, another thing we know... almost 40 years after their beers hit the market, they just keep getting better!

Master brewer Chris Priebe, who trained at Chicago’s world-famous Siebel Institute of Brewing Technology, became Millstream’s head brewer in 2000 and he remains so to this day, now with over three decades of brewing experience. In 2001 the brewery was sold to new owners, Tom & Teresa Albert, who maintained the brewery’s high standards and focus on German and other European styles. Then, in 2021, the brewery was sold to Steve & Susan Charlier and their business partner Justin Cohanim, while the Alberts remain owners of the adjacent Millstream Brau Haus. The new owners seek to maintain the brewery’s core beers while expanding the lineup to include more contemporary styles. They’ve also added a canning line to adapt to the modern demand for this packaging format.

If you're ever in the area of Amana, IA, stop by Millstream's Taproom, or head over to the Brau Haus to try their excellent beers (as well as their hand-crafted root beer, ginger beer, and cream soda) in the company of some good food with a bit of German flair. For more information about the brewery, check out their web site at www.millstreambrewing.com.