Serious Hops

[Insidious Rex]

Um.. so where is the thread with the recommendations of the super hoppy beers? Imperials, Double IPAs and such. Im sure theres gotta be several floating around the board somewhere but my searches didnt really find what I was looking for. Anybody got any recommendations for a die hard hop fan? Pliney (both) clearly are high on any list. Hercules, Moylens, Stoudts... But super hoppy doesnt always mean great tasting. Who balances the fruit best of all?

[Payson]

If you can find it the Rogue I2PA is phenomenal.

[fretlessman71]

Stone's Double Bastard is impressive as well.

[L.H.H.H.Brown]

Interesting, but I wouldn't include the Doublr B on a hop list, just an "over the top" one. By the way Fret, you mention the DB AND you have a pic of the Bigfoot, hmmm...... a man after my own heart. Relax........ anyway, yes the Pliny's have to top the list for hoppiness ( west coast style ). I am currently having a Moylan's Hopsickle Imperial which I must say is delish. For some reason I enjoy an equal amount of malt to back it up. That's why I love(d .. WAAAAAAAAH!!!, sorry) the Frank's. Stoudt's is an east coast which is not as much of a gotcha!, both on the nostrils and the tastebuds. The Rogue is fine as are many. As always it's a personal taste. Hope you find yours.

[L.H.H.H.Brown]

I was delirious before... Stone Ruination, Bear Republic Racer V ( also Racer X, but I don't think that's ever been bottled). I'm out of time now but I KNOW I'll think of more.

[brewmonkey]

Check out Pliny The Elder and/or Pliny The Younger by Russian River, 120 Minute IPA aby Dog Fish Head, Dreadnaught IPA by Three Floyds and Hop 15 by Pizza Port (not bottled so if you are not in Carlsbad or Solana Beach sorry...).

[threecb]

Middle Ages Wailing Wench, fresh. Way better than the X anniversary beer.

[HarkJohnny]

Yummy and fruity, not too much malt to impede the hops:
Anderson Valley Hop Ottin
Stone IPA
Dogfish 60 min
Lagunitas IPA
Hark's Insane IPA



Over the top hops:
Stone Ruination
Avery Eleven
Grant's Hopzilla
Great Divide Titan
Dogfish 90 min

[Insidious Rex]

This is interesting Top 50 Double IPA's (http://beeradvocate.com/top_beers.php?id=140)

I can barely find 15% of this list in stores or bars around here though. Why not bottle some of this stuff? Is this just a supply and demand thing? Not a lot of bud drinkers venture into the double IPA catagory Im assuming?

[zoom6zoom]

I just picked up some Legend Imperial IPA (from Richmond, VA) this week but haven't sampled it yet. The guy at Norms told me that Legend insists on their brew being refrigerated at all times, so they don't stock a lot of it.

[Tweek]

I found the Moylans Hopsickle to be over the top bitter. I didnt much care for it actually, which for me is really saying something when it comes to hop juice.

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by zoom6zoom
I just picked up some Legend Imperial IPA (from Richmond, VA) this week but haven't sampled it yet. The guy at Norms told me that Legend insists on their brew being refrigerated at all times, so they don't stock a lot of it. Did you happen to see their Porter for sale as well? I'm curious to see if I got a bad bottle or if their porter always tastes like that...

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by Insidious Rex
This is interesting Top 50 Double IPA's (http://beeradvocate.com/top_beers.php?id=140)

I can barely find 15% of this list in stores or bars around here though. Why not bottle some of this stuff? Is this just a supply and demand thing? Not a lot of bud drinkers venture into the double IPA catagory Im assuming?

Why? Lots of reasons. I think you might have hit one - demand. Also, Russian River (and others) don't yet bottle their DIPAs - whether due to lack of demand or lack of capacity/time to do so. Many DIPAs come from brewpubs, where the best you might do is a growler fill - some do also bottle, but not many in my experience.

My favorites:
Moylan's Moylander DIPA
Smuttynose Big A IPA (2005 version) - notes here:

http://www.smuttynose.com/pages/comments.html

[Derekt2]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
Did you happen to see their Porter for sale as well? I'm curious to see if I got a bad bottle or if their porter always tastes like that...

How did you het legend's Porter in CO? It's a very small local brewpub with limited bottling. Are you sure it's the same brewery?

[fretlessman71]

Yep, it's the same brewery. Got my bottle in a trade with chazwicke (I made a lot of trades to get different porters for my porter thread (http://www.realbeer.com/discussions/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6358)). The bottle had turned sour - bad. I was hoping that a fresher bottle would turn out better, but emailing the brewery has had no effect...

[zoom6zoom]

I didn't see their Porter, but wasn't really looking that hard. Since they insist their distributors keep it cold, it may not travel well.

I had the Imperial IPA last night, and while I can't describe it competently, I must say that I liked it a lot. While very hoppy, I thought it was well balanced, with the hops not overpowering the malt. Very good head, nice mouthfeel, and a beautiful dark honey gold pour.

[Dextolen]

I didn't see Victory's Hop Devil, so I'll add that to the list. It's not as insanely hoppy as some of the others but it's definitely up there. "Like sucking on a penny in the middle of a pine forest." was my first thought.

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by zoom6zoom

I had the Imperial IPA last night, and while I can't describe it competently, I must say that I liked it a lot. While very hoppy, I thought it was well balanced, with the hops not overpowering the malt... ...which is more than you can say for some IPAs. Sounds like a good competent description to me! :)

[zoom6zoom]

Legend describes it thusly on their page:

A big, crisp Ale that is hopped to the extreme. A Combination of Pale Ale, Bonlander Munich and Carapils Malts to which a very, very, generous amount of hops has been added gives a balanced 126 IBU beer.

They don't say what hops they use... all I can say is that it was yummy, and I'm going back for more.

Also, Norm's told me that Clipper City Brewing is releasing a triple IPA soon. I recommended that they call it Aye-Aye-AyePA!

[Ill hophead]

Here are some of my favorite big hoppy beers

Rogue I2PA, Old Crustacean, and Brutal Bitter
FFF Dreadnaught IPA
Stone Ruination IPA
GD Hercules IPA
Two Brother's Hop Juice DIPA
SN Bigfoot
DFH 90 min

honorable mention
Bert Grant's Hopzilla
Bell's Two Hearted Ale
Bear Republic Racer 5

[AxlLives]

I didn't see Blue Point Brewing's Hoptical Illusion anywhere... KILLER IPA... Also Avery Brewing's Maharaja Double IPA... Not hoppy but totally extreme is Dogfish Head's Raison d'Extra... Hard to find but worth it... Also Flying Dog's Gonzo Imperial Porter rocks... Get the limited edition signed bottle if you can and save it $$$

[fretlessman71]

The Gonzo is the hoppiest porter I've ever had - I need to lay a few bottles down to let them age a bit. It actually tastes a little green to me... sure hope they're smoother come springtime or so. Welcome to the board!

[Osh]

3 F's Alpha King
Hop Juice
SN Celebration Ale
Goose Island IPA on occasion

[hopjack13]

hop 15 has been bottled, don't know if they're still doing it though, i think it was an anaversary thing, maybe why they bottled? hop juice rocks! i just blew a keg of it! alpine bottles thier pure hoppieness but not the exponential that i am awear of.
yulesmith is probably my fave! as triple h mentioned russain rivers pliney the elder and PP's franks dipa are some of the best. pliney the younger is....well....................hot damn! i love that one but i think vinnie was calling it a triple ipa??? can any one back me up on this?
oh and the DUIPA was pretty tasty too!

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
Did you happen to see their Porter for sale as well? I'm curious to see if I got a bad bottle or if their porter always tastes like that...


Norms is where I got that bottle from, Fret.

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by AxlLives
I didn't see Blue Point Brewing's Hoptical Illusion anywhere... KILLER IPA... Also Avery Brewing's Maharaja Double IPA... Not hoppy but totally extreme is Dogfish Head's Raison d'Extra... Hard to find but worth it... Also Flying Dog's Gonzo Imperial Porter rocks... Get the limited edition signed bottle if you can and save it $$$

Norms email said they were getting in the Raison de Extra today.


I've not had any Legend beers since Brad left as head brewer. But I will say when Legend first started their porter was the beer everyone sought after. It was simply delectable. And Legend was known for it. But that was many moons ago and they have been through a couple brewers since then. I Have not been to Norms in a while but when i do go next time, I'll look again for a bottle that is fresh. The last bottle I sent came from Norms too.

[zoom6zoom]

They were out of the Raison d Extra when I was there Monday.

[Insidious Rex]

Originally posted by hopjack13
pliney the younger is....well....................hot damn! i love that one but i think vinnie was calling it a triple ipa??? can any one back me up on this?

Yeah thats what Russian River officially calls it: "...the 'Younger' is a triple IPA. Pliny the Younger is hopped three times more than our standard IPA, and is dry hopped four different times." Ive never had the pleasure of having this one yet. It says its 11% and everyone Ive heard describe it says it goes down as if its barely half that potent. Sounds like an amazing and dangerous brew...

[Derekt2]

I'm drinking Stone's 9th right now and it is very hoppy. Not as bitter as an IPA, more like an APA, with a looooong floral finish. Reminds me a lot of some Victory hop juice I had last fall that was THE hoppiest beer I have ever had. Can't remember what it was called but it had a cartoonish California gold prospector on the label.

[Ill hophead]

That would be Victory's Hop Wallop. Yeah, that one is great too. I forgot about that one but now that you've reminded me I can't wait to get some this winter.

[Derekt2]

Yup, that's it. Thanks.

[AxlLives]

Victory's Hop Wallop is set to be released on or about November 1... That along with Troeg's Mad Elf and Nugget Nectar in January are what keep me warm in the winter!!!

[Insidious Rex]

Alpha King Challenge 2005
(Held in Denver during the GABF)

FIRST: Hop 15 Port Brewing/Pizza Port. Carlsbad, CA
SECOND: Frank Port Brewing/Pizza Port. Carlsbad, CA
THIRD: Pure Hoppiness Alpine Brewing. Alpine, CA

Have heard a lot about Hop 15 already but since its not bottled and rarely comes out here Ive never had it. Why does this seem to be such a west coast phenomenon exactly?

[L.H.H.H.Brown]

Because we rule...:p There are A LOT of beers that don't make it out here so we gotta have something. I also forgot Rogue Old Crusty.

[brewcrew76]

I just tried Founder's Devil Dancer Triple IPA at 13% abv. Seriously the most hopped bitter beer I have ever tried. I felt like the hops were paint thinner sucking the saliva out of my mouth it was so bitter.:D I meant that in a good way! I definitely recommend you try it if you see it.

[Ill hophead]

I went to Crane Alley in Urbana, IL and they had Devil Dancer on the new beers list. I saw that it said "Triple IPA" and I got really excited. :eek: Then I ordered one and the bartender says "We just ran out of that....but it was REALLY good." DOH!

Then at the Great Taste of the Midwest this summer, Founder's had Devil Dancer listed in the program but by the time I got to the booth and asked for one they were out of it. Hopefully someday I'll get to try it. Maybe I should take a trip to Michigan and find some.

[Ill hophead]

Brewcrew, I didn't even notice that was you talkin about the DD. Where'd you find that? Please tell me somewhere in Chicago and please tell me they have more!

[brewcrew76]

Originally posted by Ill hophead
Brewcrew, I didn't even notice that was you talkin about the DD. Where'd you find that? Please tell me somewhere in Chicago and please tell me they have more!

I missed it at the Taste just like you did. I bought the last 2 bottles (at 3.99 a piece) from Riley's in Madison when I was up there a few weeks ago. Haven't seen any in the Chicago area. If I do I will let you know.

[Mill Rat]

Two Brothers Brewery in Warrenville, IL occasionally produces an IPA called "Hop Juice." With over 100 IBU and about 8% ABV, its hop-head heaven. See them at www.twobrosbrew.com.

[Ill hophead]

Oh I've drank my share of Hop Juice. Even had it cask conditioned at Firkin. Good stuff.

[mookow]

Originally posted by Ill hophead
Oh I've drank my share of Hop Juice. Even had it cask conditioned at Firkin. Good stuff.

I really like the aroma. It's about the closest a beer has ever come in my experience to the sensation of sniffing a hop bag right before you toss it into the kettle.

But something about the taste prevented it from reaching the top-shelf IPA category in my mind, and right now I cant remember what that was.

[HarkJohnny]

Originally posted by AxlLives
Victory's Hop Wallop is set to be released on or about November 1...

anyone else find one this to be a dissapointment?

Well, yeah I like hops but a little depth in the beer is appreciated too.

[Ill hophead]

Yep, I was disappointed with the Hop Wallop this year too.

[D0nc0smic]

Just about anything put through the randalizer........

[generalzonzo]

Hop Wallup by Victory Brewing is a hop monster (seasonal and may be on its way out; my store only has 5 cases left!), also, Dreagnaught Double IPA by Three Floyds - Terrific high octane (9,6%ABV) hoppy goodness.

[Derekt2]

Originally posted by Ill hophead
Yep, I was disappointed with the Hop Wallop this year too.

I didn't find this year's any different than last -- I just don't much care for the beer. I like hops as much or more than the next guy but that beer has a "perfum-iness" I just can't seem to enjoy. Body = fine. Bitterness = fine. Finish = ehh, not so much.

[Teej]

Originally posted by mookow
I really like the aroma. It's about the closest a beer has ever come in my experience to the sensation of sniffing a hop bag right before you toss it into the kettle.

But something about the taste prevented it from reaching the top-shelf IPA category in my mind, and right now I cant remember what that was.

Although you were talking about 'Hop Juice', your description above fits perfectly with my first sampling of 'Alpha King' last night.

Felt like I'd taken first place at a Cascade hop eating contest. Heheheheh.

[jsmurphy]

I've been drinking Great Divide Titan IPA and Greenflash West Coast IPA lately. While neither are really "extreme" in my opinion, they're both damn tasty.

[Insidious Rex]

Greenflash is great! I only just discovered it a few months ago. When did they start importing it to the east coast?

[chazwicke]

I've not had it yet but I think Dave Alexander had a tasting with the brewers earlier this Summer at RFD.

[n0rmann]

Pretty much all of the Moylan's IPAs, the IPA, the Double IPA and the Hopsicle have high amounts of hoppiness.

[smeyrt]

Originally posted by L.H.H.H.Brown
I was delirious before... Stone Ruination, Bear Republic Racer V ( also Racer X, but I don't think that's ever been bottled). I'm out of time now but I KNOW I'll think of more.
stone ruination its a nice hoppy one. you have great taste

[jsmurphy]

I just had the '06 Smuttynose Big A IPA on tap and it was great.

[Spicoli]

I have been on an Imperial IPA kick for a few weeks now. I can't get enough hops. I also find that my flatulence has quite a nice hoppy aroma these days. The day after a few Hopsickles really does it.:D

[MichaelM]

there is a brewpub up in columbus ohio called Barleys that I have been to that has an IPA called four seas(4c's) IPA they use four diffrent hops starting with(you guessed it) the letter C.... I have had some hoppy beers (DFH90 , arrogent basterd, etc etc.) and I kid you not I was tasting this thing the next day.. think it burned the enamel off my teeth LOL

[Insidious Rex]

Originally posted by Insidious Rex
Greenflash is great! I only just discovered it a few months ago. When did they start importing it to the east coast?

Anyone try Greenflash's new Imperial IPA? Quite a treat. Id really begun to get a little bored of the over the top hop sledge hammers that have been popular of late. But this one came as a pleasent surprise. Powerful and drinkable at the same time. A great fruity resiny hop treat with at least some attempt at balancing that makes it a surprisingly easy drinker. We need more like this one.