“Our brewers selected the finest, most flavorful hops, pushed them beyond their limits and forged them into this all-new triple IPA. This reimagined Hoptimum is our hoppiest beer yet, providing a blend of tropical and citrus hop aroma that delivers a refined yet aggressive character.”
Served in an IPA glass. Amber to orange appearance with a healthy two finger crown forming on top. The head holds together superbly and weaves a nice thick lace down the sides of the glass.
We’re getting fistfuls of grassy, citric and piney hop character leading out. In support are heady notes of candied lemon, hop oils, aniseed, ripe grapefruit, dank pine resins and just a pinch of alcohol creeping through. It’s quite well balanced on this sweet and slightly syrupy/honeyed malt base. That’s a fine aroma right there.
It opens up with a rush of dank resinous pine, bitter citrus and a delicate honey malt sweetness on the flank. A fleeting hint of passion fruit before the warming booze ensues. From there it’s aggressive and bitter with grapefruit, citrus rind and grassy hops going the distance on the back palate.
The texture is thick and full bodied but it does get a nice lift from the vibrant co2. Aggressive bitterness (65 IBU) along with significant warmth from the booze (9.6%)
A very well constructed imperial IPA. And we say imperial as it’s clearly not a triple IPA when it’s weighing in at under 10% ABV. Semantics! We have to give credit where it’s due. This is a big, bitey and in-your-face American IPA that went down a treat on this hot spring day.