Founded in 1981 as an international wine competition, the Beverage Testing Institute grew to include beer, spirits, cider, and sake evaluations in 1994. The organization’s mission expanded to ongoing product evaluations, conforming to ASTM standards. Rather than just a competition, BTI’s sensory panelists utilize a scientific approach, even including literal scientists in their evaluations.
Fremont Brewing, a respected craft brewery located in Seattle, WA, created a hazy India Pale Ale that caught the attention of the BTI. Known as Version 33 of their Head Full of Dynomite series, this IPA received an outstanding score of 98 points from the institute. Described as having a hazy light gold color with aromas of orange oil, pineapple, mango, cannabis, and apricot, it offers a velvety, lively, finely carbonated, dryish light-to-medium body. The finish is smooth, layered, and long with notes of juniper, cranberry, and pine, resulting in a balanced and sumptuous Hazy IPA.
The recognition of Fremont Brewing’s Hazy IPA didn’t stop at the Beverage Testing Institute. At the 2022 World Beer Championships, Version 33 of Head Full of Dynomite was awarded the Platinum Medal for Best American Style IPA and Best In Show. This accolade solidified the IPA’s status as something truly exceptional in the eyes of industry experts.
While Version 33 of the Hazy IPA remains the top-scoring IPA from Fremont Brewing, the brewery continues to innovate with new releases in the Head Full of Dynomite series. Despite the disappointment of Version 33 no longer being available since November 2021, fans can still enjoy the latest offering, Version 56. This new iteration maintains the signature mango and cannabis notes but with an updated hops and malt profile. Like its predecessor, Version 56 boasts a comparable ABV of 6.8% and a similar mouthfeel, making it a worthy successor to the critically acclaimed Version 33. Best of all, 4-packs of Version 56 are easily accessible for $15, ensuring that the legacy of the Head Full of Dynomite series lives on.