Dump The Trump – Beer Review

There’s something satisfying about cracking open a beer with a name that makes you look twice. Dump The Trump, from New Zealand’s Chur Brewing Co., certainly manages that before I have even opened the can.

But a cheeky name and a loud can only get a beer so far. What really matters is what is inside it. This is a hop-forward American IPA, so I am expecting plenty of citrus, pine and bitterness.

Time to crack it open and see what we have.

The Can

First impressions count, and this 440 mL can certainly makes a statement. The artwork is bold, cheeky and difficult to ignore — which seems entirely appropriate considering the name.

At 7.0% ABV and, according to the information I recorded for the original review, 65 IBU, this isn’t pretending to be a quiet little afternoon beer. On paper at least, there should be plenty of hops backed up by enough malt to keep everything under control.

Aroma

As soon as I crack the can, the hops announce themselves.

I get plenty of citrus and pine, followed by grapefruit and orange zest. Behind that is a slightly resinous character and just enough caramel-like malt aroma to soften things.

It smells exactly as I would hope an American IPA would smell — fresh, punchy and very hop driven.

Appearance

Into the glass it goes.

The beer pours a deep golden-amber colour, with a slight haze and a thick white head that hangs around nicely.

There is nothing delicate about the appearance. It looks rich and substantial, and that slight haze seems to hint at what is coming.

Taste

The first sip delivers exactly what the aroma promised.

There is an immediate hit of citrus and pine, with grapefruit and orange zest coming through strongly. Then the bitterness arrives.

And it stays.

There is a distinctly resinous hop bitterness lingering on the tongue, while the caramel character of the malt provides enough sweetness underneath to stop the hops completely taking over.

Make no mistake, though — this is a beer for someone who enjoys hops.

The bitterness seems to build as I drink it, rather than disappearing after the first few mouthfuls. For me, that is part of the attraction. It gives the beer character and makes it taste like a proper, full-flavoured American IPA rather than something trying to please everybody.

Mouthfeel

The mouthfeel is medium-bodied and smooth, finishing slightly dry.

Carbonation gives it enough crispness to stop the beer becoming heavy, which is particularly useful at 7.0% ABV. For a reasonably strong IPA, I find it surprisingly easy to drink.

Perhaps too easy.

That lingering bitterness, however, keeps reminding me that this beer has some muscle behind it.

Food Pairing

With this much hop bitterness, I would pair Dump The Trump with food that can stand up for itself.

A backyard BBQ would be my first choice — a good hamburger, spicy sausages, chargrilled steak or sticky BBQ ribs would all work nicely. Spicy food would also be worth trying, particularly something with enough richness to balance the hops.

This isn’t the beer I would choose alongside something delicate. It needs food with flavour.

Final Thoughts

Dump The Trump is bold, bitter and unapologetically hoppy.

The citrus, grapefruit and pine flavours give it plenty of freshness, while the resinous bitterness provides the bite I expect from an American IPA. There is enough malt underneath to give it balance, although the hops are definitely running the show.

Would I drink another one?

Yes.

But probably not four of them while operating the BBQ.

For anyone who enjoys a strong, hop-forward IPA with plenty of personality, this is certainly one worth trying.