Big Chicken is a double IPA released about this time every year by Hen House Brewing in Santa Rosa (CA) in advent of San Francisco Beer Week. The 2024 version is the ninth annual release of Big Chicken.
Each year Hen House distributes kegs of the brew to select accounts in surrounding counties, who then tap them on specific days during the release week: the “Zero Day” for their area. Enthusiasts can refer to tables on Hen House’s website and social media to locate the taps nearest, but they must move quickly as most kegs get emptied the same day they’re tapped, and cans are available only at the brewery’s taprooms in Santa Rosa, Petaluma, and Novato.
I had my pour of Big Chicken on tap this afternoon at the Hop Grenade Taproom and Bottle Shop in Concord (CA).
This year’s batch of Big Chicken clocks in at 10.6% abv –and yet they still call it a “double IPA”!– and was made with big helpings of Vista, Mosaic, Strata, Citra, Idaho 7, Simcoe and Belma CGX hops. Belma CGX is a cryo-concentrated version of the Belma hops.
Unlike other years’ versions the 2024 Big Chicken is clear, with no hint of haziness. Although still having a touch of sweetness, it is also not cloying or as heavily-bodied, but rather a bit crisper in the mouthfeel.
I didn’t get a lot of aroma, but there was plenty of flavour. I noted orange, mango, maybe some apricot. Perhaps a hint of strawberry or raspberry tucked way in the back. A nice dose of pine in the finish.
I look forward to this release each year, and I was not disappointed in the least. I plan on seeking out some more tomorrow — I think I know a spot that might still have some left then.