German brewing is known for its knee-high bottom line, where there are far between the outright failures. But at the same time, traditions are so conservatively entrenched that it can act as an inhibitor to innovation. However, things are slowly slipping in Germany as well, where small breweries with young brewers are experimenting with non-German styles. And among German hop producers, too, we have heard that there is a demand for other varieties than the classic and tried-and-tested ones. And it is two of these brand new German aroma hops that we are trying out in this German IPA. Hüll Melon, as the name suggests, gives off memories of (honey) melon and perhaps lychee, but Mandarina gives fresh citrus notes. And underneath this, the workhorse Herkules delivers a good base bitterness. We are not suggesting at all that this is the Mercedes or Porsche of IPAs, but perhaps rather a sensible Opel Ascona….in a lightly tuned version with yellow speed stripes.