Tupper's Hop Pocket Ale

[steveh]

Old Dominion Brewing Co., 12 oz. Bottle, 31/DEC/03 Bottling date.

Clear, deep gold to near amber with a white head that quickly dissipated to a bubbled film cap and collar.

Citrus Cascade hop nose with toasted and caramel malt notes back. Diacetyl and some DMS in nose with warming.

A mouthful of crisp hoppiness in first taste, followed by smooth caramel malt back. Lingering Cascade hops and mellow, buttery diacetyl in the back of my mouth in the aftertaste.

Light to medium bodied, crisp and syrupy mouth feel at the same time.

A good rendition of the APA as we have come to know it. I wish they all tasted as good as Tupper's or SNPA, though I'd give Tupper's an edge in hoppiness.

S.

BA puts this in the IPA category, but I don't recall that designation on the label.. ?

[chazwicke]

I do not catagorize it that way either. Bob once told me he thought it was kind of like an old ale. I call it APA too. And a darn fine one at that. Thanks for the review.

[MeridianFC]

Though the label doesn't claim it I always considered it a IPA (or as you say APA). At 6.5% it's got more than enough heft to fit the version this side of the Pond of that category.

I love the beer and drink it regularly though it is a bit strong, bitter, and heavy for a session drink. Doesn't stop me though. The Tupper's Hop Pocket Pils, coming in at a reasonable 5% makes a better session drink.

[chazwicke]

Incidently, I was on a private tour of Mount Vernon last night and the beer being served at the function was Mt. Vernon Ale. Another "put your name here" beer brewed by Old Dominion. Tasted suspiciously like Dominion Ale. Could have been one of Dominion's other recipes. My taste buds were clouded by venison, duck, and rabbitt among other things. :)

[steveh]

Originally posted by MeridianFC
Though the label doesn't claim it I always considered it a IPA (or as you say APA). At 6.5% it's got more than enough heft to fit the version this side of the Pond of that category.

I love the beer and drink it regularly though it is a bit strong, bitter, and heavy for a session drink. Doesn't stop me though. The Tupper's Hop Pocket Pils, coming in at a reasonable 5% makes a better session drink.

BA puts the HP Ale at 6.0%, but it sure didn't taste that strong to me - let alone 6.5%. Bitter, yes - I really think it's hoppier than SNPA, but a crisp, appetizing bitterness.

And Chaz, no way it's near Old Ale characteristics, at least in my opinion.

I have a second bottle from Chaz, I'll give that one a more relaxed drink.

S.

[chazwicke]

I am with you, I'd call it an APA.

[chazwicke]

This just in:

RFD is pouring Tuppers Hop Pocket Ale thru Randall the superhopper. Look for our back room to open soon, we'll be pouring beers back there thru another Randall as well but we'll also be able to let you try the same beer Randalized or straight from the keg!

[MeridianFC]

Originally posted by steveh
BA puts the HP Ale at 6.0%, but it sure didn't taste that strong to me - let alone 6.5%. Bitter, yes - I really think it's hoppier than SNPA, but a crisp, appetizing bitterness.

.

With the caveat that I was utterly "faced" by the time I left, I'm pretty sure they said 6.5%abv at the brewery, unless they've changed it radically in the past few months. What's .5% between friends? Well as long as we're not driving.

[steveh]

Originally posted by MeridianFC
What's .5% between friends? Well as long as we're not driving.

One more percentage with every other beer!

Honest occifer, I'm not under the affluence of incohol. :P~~

S.

BTW - which brewery? Dominion, or one of the brew-pubs? The "ownership" of the Hop Pocket brand name has me confused.

[chazwicke]

Hop Pocket is brewed under contract for Bob and Ellie Tupper. Local beer celebrities and legends. They worked with Old Dominion to create the recipe a long time ago. several test batches were brewed and they tweeked them finally comming up with the famous Hop Pocket Ale. Bob and Ellie have traveled extensively on the beer hunt for about the same amount of time as I have. (Closing in on 30 years). Bob loves Lagers and German Lagers to be more specific. He has traveled to Germany many times and has visited many, many breweries. I last ran into him at GBBF last summer. They have probably tasted as many or more beers than anyone else. And they have been keeping detailed notes on all of them. Look for a book at sometime in the future. Bob's notes are much similiar to yours Steveh. They take beer very seriously. Bob is a school teacher and the eternal host / emcee of the famous Brickskeller tastings. Very nice and knowledgeable people.

[Theakston]

This was one of the cask offerings at the brewery when I was there a couple of weeks back. It was excellent on hand pump, it was really smooth with the softer carbonation. Dangerously drinkable (especially given the drive back to Arlington).
With the liberal dry hopping and pale golden colour it reminded me of Timothy Taylors Landlord from Yorkshire (which is considered an IPA by some or an ESB by others - I can't see it being considered an "old" ale). Whatever you call it I'd say it's the best real ale I've had in the USA (dare I say anywhere?) - beating even the hand pulled Hop Devil I had at Victory's brewpub.

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by Theakston
T Whatever you call it I'd say it's the best real ale I've had in the USA (dare I say anywhere?) - beating even the hand pulled Hop Devil I had at Victory's brewpub.

I am pleased to hear you say that. Although I live maybe 10 minutes from OD I rarely make it over there anymore unless to fill growlers for some gathering that I am attending. I can see I'll need to stop by more frequently. Will you and Meridian be attending the Old Dominion Fest in June? It might be a good time to meet up. Any other DC area locals interested?

[threecb]

I'm a big fan of the HP Ale and Pils. I'd have to agree with those here that classify it as an APA rather than IPA. Comparing it to SNPA, I think that the HP has a stronger malt backbone, IMHO.
I haven't had the Pils in a while, think it might be time to pick some up!

A couple of years ago the Tuppers collaborated with the then-brewer at the Trap Rock restaurant and brewery in Berkeley Heights, NJ to produce a special ale called Hunter's XXXXXX for Michael Jackson's 60th Birthday celebration at Brickskellar. They had a firkin of it at Trap Rock, as well as limited numbered edition bomber's. I think they classified this as an Old Ale. From my recollections, the Firkin was outstanding. I finally broke open the bomber amongst friends last year and wished I'd bought more than one!

It's odd that the Tupper's beers are available in NJ, but no Dominion products (that I've seen).

[ray m]

Chaz.....I live in northern KY and have a nice 11-day vacation coming up mid-June. When is this Old Dominion fest you speak of, and what does it entail (lots of good beer, I hope!!)? If I can swing it (in other words, if the warden will give me a furlough), I may come.

[MeridianFC]

Originally posted by chazwicke
I am pleased to hear you say that. Although I live maybe 10 minutes from OD I rarely make it over there anymore unless to fill growlers for some gathering that I am attending. I can see I'll need to stop by more frequently. Will you and Meridian be attending the Old Dominion Fest in June? It might be a good time to meet up. Any other DC area locals interested?

I told the wife to set aside the bail money. I'm in like Flynn.

Theaks, it's interesting you use the Timothy Taylor comparison. I really like the TT, and it's realitive popularity made it a somewhat easy pint to find. I think it's still significantly milder than the Tuppers, even if the Tuppers is on cask (I've had both the Ale and the Pils on cask recently).

[chazwicke]

In the interest of science, of course, I'll sample a few pints of TT Landlord next week.:D

[Theakston]

Originally posted by MeridianFC
I told the wife to set aside the bail money. I'm in like Flynn.

Theaks, it's interesting you use the Timothy Taylor comparison. I really like the TT, and it's realitive popularity made it a somewhat easy pint to find. I think it's still significantly milder than the Tuppers, even if the Tuppers is on cask (I've had both the Ale and the Pils on cask recently).

Yes TT (although comparitively strong by british cask standards )is milder in alcohol than Tuppers (I wonder if the cask Tuppers is a little milder than the bottle though).
I guess it is the dry hopping that reminded me of TT. Very floral and fruity. I . BTW last time I was in the UK I sampled the TT in the bottle. Huge disappointment. Hardly any hop aroma at all!
TT on cask can be very fickle - you need to have it on stillage just long enough for the dry hop to permeate it fully and not so long that it dissipates - I've had varying results with it the further from Yorkshire that it is served. One of the problems of wide availability is that some beers do not seem to "travel well".

When is the fest Chaz.....I will definitely try to get our there if I'm in town.

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by ray m
Chaz.....I live in northern KY and have a nice 11-day vacation coming up mid-June. When is this Old Dominion fest you speak of, and what does it entail (lots of good beer, I hope!!)? If I can swing it (in other words, if the warden will give me a furlough), I may come.

Here is the info that I have:

Old Dominion Beer Festival
Friday June 25-Sunday June 27
Old Dominion Brewing Co.
Ashburn, VA
The annual Old Dominion Beer Festival is one of the best beer festivals in
the country. The Global Brewers Guild will be on-hand presenting beers from
Abita Beer, Allagash Brewing, Baltimore Brewing Co.(DeGroen's), Flying Dog
Ales, Rogue Ales, and Belukus Marketing(Belhaven, Chimay, De Koninck,
Maredsous, and Young's & Co.). Special features this year include a Real Ale
tent serving cask-conditioned ale and a Global European Beer Garden.
http://www.olddominion.com

[ray m]

O, crap-----not during my vacation. Oh, well----have to start attending these fests throughout the country when I retire in 5 years, 10 months and 5 days. Thanks anyway for the info, Chaz.

[Blkandrust]

Originally posted by chazwicke
This just in:

RFD is pouring Tuppers Hop Pocket Ale thru Randall the superhopper. Look for our back room to open soon, we'll be pouring beers back there thru another Randall as well but we'll also be able to let you try the same beer Randalized or straight from the keg!



Hey chaz,you work at RFD's?I was there 2 weeks ago for the first time!!!I loved it!!!I was impressed by that blonde bartender,she really knew her beers!She was also easy on the eyes.

[chazwicke]

No I don't work there but the owners are good friends of mine. They also own the Brickskeller.

[Blkandrust]

Originally posted by chazwicke
No I don't work there but the owners are good friends of mine. They also own the Brickskeller.



No kidding,i didn't know they were owned by the same person.We did the "Brick" also,while in town.I was blown away by their beer selection!!!During our pub crawl we also hit capitol city,a couple of irish places and another brewpub,i forget the name(to much time at the brick)!

[unkle bik]

Just had my experience with Tupper's last night. This one of the better balanced beers that I have had in the last year. Just right sweetness to be offset by the Mt. Hood and Cascade.

I don't know what to classify it as, an APA or an IPA, but I don't really care. I was expecting this to be more along the lines of "Hazed and Infused" or "Two Hearted Ale." Much lighter in body than those two.

I did not come away disappointed. Great stuff.

Said something on the label about proceeds being used to aid the homeless. Didn't see anything on the label concerning the ABV, though.

[chazwicke]

I'm glad that you liked it. It is a fine beer and not "Over the Top" as one might think based on it's name.

[fretlessman71]

My wife says that Hop Pocket sounds like a crispy, microwaveable, beer-filled pastry. Yum! :p

[chazwicke]

Bob Tupper once explained where the term hop pocket comes from but I have forgotten. It may be related to the harvesting of hops but I just can't remember.

[fretlessman71]

It sounds like it's a play on "hip pocket", doesn't it? That's what *I* was thinking, anyway...