ApriHop - Dogfish Head Brewery

Groomsy

Kentucky

4/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on tap at Mellow Mushroom in Lexington, KY as their rotating tap. Served in a pint glass, consumed on 16 May 2011. Review taken from notes and recent memory.

One word sums up this beer: Madness. On to the review.

Appearance: Very deep and hazy red/copper body, hard to see any carbonation coming up from the bottom of the glass. Topped by a frothy one-finger head of beige foam which sticks around for a while and leaves dangling lacing in its wake. Nice looking beer; its deeper color for an IPA makes me wonder what the nose and taste hold. (It kind of does resemble apricots, now that I think of it.)

Smell: Whoa. Ever had Magic Hat No. 9? It's like that, but better. As strange as it sounds, the nose is powerful, but also very dry. The apricot notes probably add to this dryness, and this enticing fruit aroma is backed steadily by citrusy hops (think grapefruit/oranges) and a substantial presence of sweet, sugary malts. The beer overall smells very earthy, and the apricot notes aren't so overpowering that it seems artificial (as the case with Magic Hat). Balanced insanity. I like it.

Taste: This definitely tastes like an IPA, and it's perfectly balanced with the apricot flavors. Front and center are some citrusy hops which bristle the tongue, followed by fresh apricots and just a hint of pine. The malt emerges in the finish in a very sugary and sweet - almost candy-like - type of way which blends with some of the bitterness from the hops. I wasn't quite sure what to expect with this beer, but I was pleased at the balance and natural flavors from the fruit used.

Mouthfeel: The carbonation was kind of sharp at first, but as the beer warmed, it became more tame in its carbonation without being bland or watery. The brew is about medium body and goes down smoothly with the lingering flavors from fruit, and creates a pretty drying sensation in the finish, though the alcohol is well-hidden. Well-done.

Overall: I would expect nothing less than weirdness from this brewery, but this is a great beer. It would be too easy to dismiss it as merely a "fruit beer," but this definitely shows itself as an IPA with a big twist to it. Glad that I got to have this brew; its weirdness will hold a place in my heart.

Serving type: on-tap

05-17-2011 19:04:12 | More by Groomsy

champ103

Texas

3.23/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

On tap at the Queen Vic in Houston, TX

A: Pours a clear orange/dark red color. A two finger white head forms at first, and recedes in a second. Not much lace is left behind.
S: Plenty of hops up front. Light citrus. with some pine Mostly soapy and oily hops. Some sweetness as well.
T: Follows the nose. Citrus like hops up front. Though much more of a soapy and oily character that I am not a fan of. I can't tell if that is the hops or the fruit? Some sugary and grainy sweetness as well.
M/D: A medium body with that prevailing soapy/oily character. A bit thing and watery as well. Not hard to drink though. I finished the pint without a problem.

Pretty much average for me. Nothing really stands out besides the soapy/oily character. I can't say it is an IPA, and I can't say it is a fruit beer because nothing wants to stand out. Overall, decent. Nothing more or less.

Serving type: on-tap

04-27-2011 00:42:48 | More by champ103

Genuine

Connecticut

4.43/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured on tap at The Courthouse Bar and Grill in Putnam, CT.

Poured a beautiful, dark red/amber in color, with a very nice, off white 2 finger head. It stayed around for a while and left some beautiful lacing down the side of the glass.

Smell - The nose of this one is hidden in the cold, so it's best you let this one warm up a bit. Once it did, I noticed some woody, citrus, slight pine and a dash of fruit.

Taste - Hops hit you up front, right after comes the well balanced, full bodied malts. The apricots were noticeable enough to let you know that they are there, but they certainly do not overpower it. The malts keep it in check very well. I thought this was going to be very apricot forward but it's not, and that's ok.

Mouthfeel - medium, slick. The carbonation is there and it's not over the top, and it's not too little.

Overall - This is quickly becoming a favorite IPA. I didn't know what to expect but I'm glad that I had it today. I'll definitely be picking up more of this before it's gone for the season!

Serving type: on-tap

04-22-2011 23:48:00 | More by Genuine

trappistlover

Arizona

3.95/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

(On draught at papago scottsdale). Pours a deep amber color with off-white head. Lots of carbonation. Aroma is apricot, some citrus and bread. Taste is sweet malt backbone accentuated by subtle apricot, but nothing is overdone. Medium bodied with slick texture. Alcohol is well hidden in this.

Serving type: on-tap

04-09-2011 14:35:44 | More by trappistlover

JM03

Ohio

3.9/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Mad Mex restaurant, Cranberry Twp, PA

Pours copper/amber colored with a medium sized white head.

Aromas of the hops, citrus, a touch of sweetness. Not picking up much along the lines of Apricots.

The taste is a nice balance with the hops and the sweetness. I mainly get the Hops, but the bitterness is very minimal. There is nice sweetness that balances it out - probably the Apricots, but I am still not getting very much of the Apricot taste.

Overall very enjoyable. Easy to drink and could have multiples in a sitting. Not bitter - not sweet - right in the middle.

Serving type: on-tap

04-08-2011 13:42:07 | More by JM03

WoodBrew

Illinois

3.93/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

What??? Dogfish Head in Johnstown, Pennsylvania???? No Sh^T!!! What a very pleasent surprise from the expected BUD...Miller Lite!! This beer was a clear amber....but not much head and weak lacing. The nose included citrus....hops....DUH...ApriHop...

Taste included a Apricot and hops....WOW WHAT A SURPRISE!!!! The mouthfeel was ok...would go crazy on this....as the beer warmed the flavor became more sour. Absolutely worth a try!!!

Serving type: on-tap

04-07-2011 02:18:28 | More by WoodBrew

quine

Colorado

3.95/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Mad Mex, Pittsburgh, PA

A: Pours an amber-copper with a fluffy white head. Good retention and lacing.

S: Smells of citrus hops with a slight accent of apricots. Sweeter smelling and less hoppy than a lot of IPAs.

T: Citrusy hops up front with sweet (and slightly tangy) apricots right afterwards. Taste is not overwhelmingly of apricot, and I doubt I would have been able to identify the exact fruit without knowing.

M: Medium bodied, with a decent carbonation. Thicker and more syrupy than most IPAs.

D: This is a nice refreshing springtime sort of IPA. The hops and the sweetness work together quite well. A good seasonal offering from DFH.

Serving type: on-tap

04-05-2011 21:41:07 | More by quine

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.4/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

From a bottle this brew isn't as good as it is from the tap. Got a sample of this at the brewery last summer and it was far better than what the bottle had offered. This is most definitely an IPA from the great hoppy aroma it gives off. The flavors it gives off are quite good too, Big time hops mixed with a wonderful hint of Apricot. It's a really nice combo here. The bitterness of the hops go really well with the slight tartness of the Apricots. Also the Sweetness in the beer compliments the sweetness of the fruit. I feel that this beer is really nice when on tap. The really good flavors it has kind of disappear once it's bottled. Not sure why, but if you see it on tap, try it!

Serving type: on-tap

04-02-2011 07:21:59 | More by Knapp85

righthereisay

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Not a huge Dogfish fan, but I love the Punk'd beer they shell out every Fall. Has a great body and great flavoring.

This is somewhat similar, with the exception of the great body. Sure wish they would have made it similar to their famous Punk'd.

Definitely tasted the fruity apricot flavor, and it wasn't hoppy which was what I had expected.

Overall, a good beer considering it is a fruit beer, which is usually over sugared up.

Serving type: 16 ounce Pint on draft

Serving type: on-tap

04-01-2011 23:11:19 | More by righthereisay

ehammond1

California

4/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On Tap

Churchill's Pub & Grille
San Marcos, CA

Light but vibrant orange in color resembling, surprise!, apricots. Thick and creamy head, sticks around for a while, Leaves nice lacing down the glass.

Citrus hops with a mild apricot scent. IPA first, apricot beer second. While the scent is "right," I wish it were significantly stronger.

I have the same complaint with the taste as I do the nose. A good to great IPA with a mild apricot flavor. Well balanced and delicious, but wish the apricot flavor was much more present.

Medium body, plenty of carbonation. Appropriate for the style.

A delicious beer, I just wish it was amped up a bit more with apricot flavor. Apricot is a welcome addition to the citrus hop profile and I wish DFH went further with it. Altogether though, a very good beer.

Serving type: on-tap

03-30-2011 03:04:27 | More by ehammond1

robwestcott

Indiana

3.83/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

poured cold from the tap at finch's a semi-translucent copper to a standard pint glass with a 1/2 finger, long lasting, off white head leaving a bit of lace after each sip.

big aroma of floral hops and mangos, and, of course apricots.

floral hops forward, crisp fruit follows. nice blend.

light bodied, subtle bitter, sweet fruit after.

drinkable - yep.

Serving type: on-tap

03-28-2011 23:23:12 | More by robwestcott

afksports

New York

3.4/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

This is a weird brew to evaluate. Aprihop is certainly apricot up front, with tons of fruity sweetness kissing the front of the palate and the nose.

Then it carries a malty middle, and finishes with a ton of bitter dryness that's still clinging as I type this up. That long is on the glass too, where the golden orange brew with a halffinger head sits in a haze of drink-me-IPAness.

But ultimately I'm not ordering another. This is a step up from magic hat 9 for sure, but I'm not loving it. As a fruit inspired beer it doesn't have sweetness at the back, but as an IPA there's hardly any hop character in the front. Just a sort of weird combo.

Good elements, though, so it lives on to fight another day.

Serving type: on-tap

03-26-2011 17:28:58 | More by afksports

gdrydenc

Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had on tap at Tavern in the Square in Allston, MA.

A - Dark brown, with dark amber hues in the light. There was no head when it was served to me, but I think it was sitting for a little while before it was served.

S - Citrus with a hint of apricot. Not nearly the amount of apricot I was expecting, though.

T - Much like the smell, delicious juicy hops, no alcohol, hints of sweetness and malts at the finish.

M - Creamy, but surprisingly small amount of carbonation. Maybe because it's on tap?

Overall, a solid seasonal brewski.

Serving type: on-tap

03-26-2011 02:38:17 | More by gdrydenc

BeerCon5

Pennsylvania

3.6/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear copper color with a nice one finger foamy white head.

The aroma is of citrus and earthy hops mostly.

The taste is also of citrus, bitter earthy hops, and only slight notes of apricot.

Medium body, smooth and a little oily, moderate carbonation.

Although this was a decent beer, I was a little disappointed in that it was much lighter than the average IPA and there was hardly any apricot presence.

Serving type: on-tap

03-24-2011 14:32:56 | More by BeerCon5

patoakes7

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A-Pours a very clear amber with about an eigth of an inch of head that goes away realativley quickly. Slight lacing throughout glass

S-Slight citrus hops at the beginning with suddle apricot hints

T-Hops at first and ends with the apricot like the nose. Apricot gives it a bitter end. Never really liked apricot before but enjoyed the hints in this beer.

M-Slight carbonation, tingles from start to finish.

D-Nice refreshing brew all around apricot really compliments the IPA. One of my favorites from DFH.

Serving type: on-tap

03-17-2011 04:15:36 | More by patoakes7

Jimmys

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

had on tap at the DF Alehouse in Falls Church

A: bright copper, off white fluffy head. Too dark in here to see any carbonation, but im sure there's some in there!

S: huge grapefruit aroma. Cirtus and pine. Slight sweetness from either the malt or apricot. All my favorite hop aromas in a glass!

T: big time citrus flavor. this one is pretty hop pungent. not getting a distinctive fruitiness in my glass. actually reminding me more of a 60-minute (not that that is a bad thing at all!), but i swear when i drank one of these last year it was much more apricot-y.

M: spot on. mild, creamy carbonation that lets the hops show.

D: super drinkable. if you like what dogfish does with their hops then go seek some out.

Serving type: on-tap

03-11-2011 03:24:40 | More by Jimmys

rpardon7

Kentucky

4/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from the tap a nice coppery amber color with a tight off white head that left some spoty lacing through the beer. Smell is hop forward, citrus and floral hop notes with a hint of sweet malt, and maybe a bit of apricot in the background. Taste is like a normal American IPA good floral citrus hop profile with a nice sweet malt backbone with just enough apricot in the middle to let you know why they call it aprihop. Mouthfeel is nice and balanced not to heavy or syrupy good balance of carbonation to bring forward the cirtus hop. Drinkability is great on this beer, very nice beer when the weather warms and you want a nice citrus/floral IPA not to dry or sweet good balance.

Serving type: on-tap

03-10-2011 17:17:11 | More by rpardon7

bugaboo416

New York

3.75/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Its was a cloudy amber in my glass.

S: Apricots prominent, of course. With some grapefruit as well

T: The first sip you can taste the sweetness and flavor of the apricot. It is slightly sweet but what stuck out to me was the high bitterness with some astringency at the end. I wonder if it came from the fruit's skins more than the hops.

M: light to mid body for an IPA

D: Uncertain how to answer this. I had a 4oz pour which I really enjoyed. Its got apricots and high bitterness (yay) but I don't know how I'd feel drinking 12 oz all at once.

Serving type: on-tap

03-09-2011 12:43:00 | More by bugaboo416

Durge

Connecticut

3.98/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A beautiful golden amber color with a decent white head and similar lacing. The aroma is a brisk citrus hop with a sweet bread support. Very nice. The flavor is a strong citrus orange with an apricot-pear sweetness and thick biscuit. It's solidly mid-bodied with modest carbonation. It's near syrupy in feel but plenty drinkable. This is a quality hop beer with the added enjoyment of the fruit theme. A high quality concoction that I recommend to any hop lover or curious fruit fan.

Serving type: on-tap

03-09-2011 05:42:04 | More by Durge

Chaney

District of Columbia

4.1/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I had this on tap at the Dogfish Head Alehouse in Falls Church, VA.

A: Crystal clear, apricot orange color, with a 1/2 finger or so foamy white had that also had a bit of an orange hue to it.

S: IPA-like, but instead of containing cascady grapefruit in the mix, apricot was citrus substitute. It also had a nice potent yeastiness to this that was to die for.

T: Very nice. The apricot was a great idea and was used in a very innovative way. Still, despite the fruit content here, I could still recognize this as an IPA, as opposed to a malt fruit beverage.

M: Bitter, but not in a bad way. Sweet, but not too... just right!

D: I've always found it odd which beers DFH decides to put in 4-packs as opposed to 6ers. I think this is one that should be given the 6 pack treatment. Highly drinkable!

Serving type: on-tap

03-06-2011 22:25:01 | More by Chaney

musicforairports

New York

3.98/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at The Ruck in Troy.

Pours amber, clear and darker than I'd expect an IPA to be. Comes from the bar with a one-finger head that leaves a bunch of lacing until about halfway through.

Smells like apricots--a real fruit aroma, not sweet and syrupy--and hops.

Tastes like the above, with some noticeable malt flavors in the background. Begins with a dose of apricot, caramel backdrop and a nice pine/citrus hop bite that sits noticeable atop the other flavors well. It finishes dryer and much fruitier. I don't mind the apricot flavor here at all, and I'm not one who typically like fruit in beer. I didn't really expect to like this, and I don't always think Dogfish Head's experiments work. But this one does.

A bit sticky and creamy on the palate but a smooth drinker.

Really a good seasonable here, and without a doubt the best of the few apricot-flavored beers I've had.

Serving type: on-tap

03-05-2011 05:06:41 | More by musicforairports

xnicknj

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

on tap at rattle n hum in nyc

Pours a clouded golden orange with copper hues. One finger high head fades into film and leaves loads of spotty lacing all over the glass while drinking.

Strong apricot and fruit scents with citrusy hops supported by toasted grain malts.

Slight sweetness with ultra juicy hops right up front. Apricot juice and citrus with orange. Toasted biscuit malt, light caramel malt sweetness. Hop bitterness, juicy fruit and tropical tones in the finish.

Lighter medium body, super smooth feel. Drinks great, super refreshing, and the alcohol is invisible. This is one of my favorites from DFH and I'm glad to see it back.

Serving type: on-tap

02-11-2011 17:22:56 | More by xnicknj

CuriousMonk

Virginia

4/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at DFH poured into pint glass. Pours clear orange with a big foamy white head. Moderate lacing. Fresh apricots mixed with slightly piney hops and light caramel. Light, medium-carbonated mouthfeel. Fresh citrus and mild pine hops up front complimented nicely with the apricots which burst through in the middle. The malt is much lighter than expected, and lets the apricot taste come through without making it too sweet or sticky. Earthy, fruity finish that's not too long. Very refreshing.

Serving type: on-tap

02-02-2011 16:31:11 | More by CuriousMonk

munizr22

Virginia

3.98/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I enjoyed this beer at the ApriHop release in the Dogfish Brew Pub in Falls Church.
There wasnt much head on the pour, but the carbonation was average.
The color was a nice amber color, very apricot like.
The aroma, gave off an almost mildy sweet smell, with hints of apricot. The taste was heavier than I would have thought for a spring time beer, but it drank smoothly. It definitely left a fruity taste in my mouth, that was not unpleasant.

Serving type: on-tap

12-28-2010 21:01:37 | More by munizr22

StJamesGate

New York

4/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On draft at The Spotty Dog, Hudson, NY.

Pours glowing peach with a cakey head. Apricot and citrus hop nose. Toasted oat and ripe fruit malts with branch and grapefruit hops. Grapefruit pith leave. Medium, fizzy, with cling.

Balanced and drinkable, far from being either a gimmick or your average fruit beer.

Serving type: on-tap

06-08-2010 04:32:36 | More by StJamesGate