ApriHop - Dogfish Head Brewery

Docer

Washington

3.13/5  rDev -18.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Snagged a 12oz. bottle to try.. a bit spendy.. though the price doesn't affect my judging of the actual beer.

- Pours a clear dark and bold copper brown.. rather dark for an IPA.. looks much more like an amber, or almost a brown ale. Minimal off white head.. leaves a trace of floating thin head.. small ring. Quite average.

- Not much fruit aroma.. light grassy hop, some pine, caramel malt.. husky barley aroma. Very grainy aroma.. quite basic. Not impressed.

- Grainy, caramel malt.. light bitterness.. only a slight aromatic flavor appeal of apricot sweetness.. very light, and certainly not present enough. Bitter hops, grassy and earthy.. overall just kind of blah.

- Medium to light bodied.. slightly drying because of bitterness.. grainy chewiness...

- Overall this beer just simply is not that good. I actually haven't yet had a beer from Dogfish Head that has blown me away, or is even really that great. Sad I know.. but talk about a way over hyped brewer.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2011 02:12:35 | More by Docer

orfeu

New Mexico

3.1/5  rDev -19.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Clear copper with slow, steady carbonation rising up to a fluffy, peach-tinged off-white head. Somewhat weak aromas: apricot, of course, with some subdued floral/piney hops, and something sort of phenolic as well. The taste only barely hints at the presence of apricots. Overall, it's something of a clash of flavors: assertive pine-flavored hops are being smothered by some tart fruit flavors that, finally in the aftertaste, reveal themselves to be apricot. There's also a damn near cloying sweetness that seems to be coming from a heavy malt presence, not the fruit. The mouthfeel is likewise heavier than I'd prefer -- there doesn't seem to be much reason for this beer to be boozed up to 7% abv, but I'm not a brewer, so what do I know. Anyway, happy I tried it, but I think I'll pass next time.

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2006 18:28:14 | More by orfeu

pittvkyle7

Connecticut

3.1/5  rDev -19.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A- what a beautiful golden color, very tiny bubbles, almost no head just a ring left. There is a little lacing

S- Fruity, apricot, alcohol is a stong smell here.

T- A nice mild apricot taste hits first, both hops and malt are mild. I was expecting more of a bitter hop taste especially from a dogfish head IPA. I think more hops would balance this drink better. Alcohol is a stong taste for it only being 7.00%. There is also a slight medicinal or plastic taste tucked in there too.(slight)

M- Nice carbonation, the bubbles go nicely with the apricot. The finish is short and clean, and it goes down so nicely.

D- average drinkability. I'd much rather other dogfish brews. I enjoyed it while I had it but I don't know if I'll go out looking for it again.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2007 14:23:22 | More by pittvkyle7

emerge077

Illinois

3.1/5  rDev -19.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle neck reads: bottled on 2/21/08

Pours into a pint glass a copper tone with a good level of clarity. Carbonation sticks to the walls like soda, and appears well carbonated. A compact head of foam results, and leaves a thin sheet across the top. A thick ring of lacing is left on the glass.

Musty wheat aroma, sort of metallic. Zero fruit presence, even when swirling. Just a funky, grainy smell, not much better than malt liquor. For being a month old bottle, it's pretty weak.

Flavor is also weak, considering it's billed as an IPA, and has no hop flavor. There is a slight tang of citrus in the back after swallowing, that barely suggests fruit, but not really apricots. I've eaten fresh and dried apricots, and there's not much reseblance in flavor. Mainly a dull barley/cereal grain aftertaste with faint florals.

Drinks and feels ok, but nothing sets it apart from the ordinary. Will pass in the future.

$2.75 single from Lush on Halsted in Chicago.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2008 00:48:09 | More by emerge077

vrazionale

Vermont

3.1/5  rDev -19.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

12 oz. bottle poured into a snifter.

A - Frothy head dissipates into lace fairly quickly. Beer is golden brown with a slight reddish hue.

S - I'm not a huge fan of the nose of this beer. The hops are masked by the apricot, and the smell of the apricot is not particularly exciting. It has a slight must and earthiness to it that grows on you the more you smell it.

T - I expected more of a unique taste. The hops are hiding in the background behind the apricot and the malt. The hops are so hidden that, if I had never seen the label, I would never dream of calling this an IPA. It's tangy and juicy, but, then again, so are most apricot beers. It's an enjoyable beer, but not remarkable in any real sense.

M - The finish is very pleasant - I keep going back for more. It's obvious that real apricots were used, the fruit is incorporated in a very balanced way. Good carbonation.

D - It's an enjoyable beer to drink, but I see no reason to go crazy over it. I will very happily finish this beer, but I won't be actively seeking out another anytime soon.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2009 23:08:04 | More by vrazionale

baiser

Massachusetts

3.1/5  rDev -19.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

An IPA brewed with apricots...I was expecting the fruit to hit me right away, but I taste neither the fruitiness or any semblance of an IPA.

Pours a somewhat hazy copper colour, with a thin white head.

First thing you notice is a sourness, followed by warming alcohol, turning into a dry bitterness on your tongue.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2009 06:50:41 | More by baiser

MbpBugeye

Ohio

3.1/5  rDev -19.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A- Smallish head for an IPA. Also fairly dark for an IPA. The head has really no retention.

S- Mostly IPA on the nose. There is some sweet fruitiness from the apricots. This is a pretty floral smelling beer.

T- Bitter herbal hops at first. The finish is sweet, fruity and some what malty. The apricots come out towards the end. The sweetness lingers.

M- Sticky and slick and oily feeling. The carbonation is somewhat low, especially for an IPA.

D- Not the best DFH but a solid, refreshing beer for sure. This has me ready for summer beers.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2010 02:40:04 | More by MbpBugeye

beancounter

New Hampshire

3.1/5  rDev -19.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A-Medium to deep amber, small head, numerous slow bubbles

S-A pleasant smell of apricots, but not much else.

T-bready/yeasty and sweet, apricots present but hard to detect. Bitterness in the back of the tongue that lingers. A big letdown relative to the aroma.

M-medium body, light and syrupy, but not too much.

O-Overall it's a decent beer, but I don't find myself eagerly anticipating another sip. At the end of the day you have to ask yourself "would I buy this again." For me, the answer is "no."

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2011 18:13:25 | More by beancounter

tlazaroff

Virginia

3.1/5  rDev -19.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A: Light amber/dark orange in color, a pillowy, fluffy head tops this beer - lacing just sticks to the glass.

S: First thing I smell is sweet fruit, but not necessarily apricot. It's backed by a nice toasty malt base.

T: This year's edition of Aprihop (2011) isn't as good as previous attempts. It starts bitter right off the bat, but quickly fades into a sweet but subtle fruit base - defiantly can taste the apricots.

M: Moderate to high carbonation and a medium body. The sweetness lingers.

D: It's an easy drinking beer, and the alcohol hides well for a 7%.

I'd give the 2010 version of Aprihop much higher scores.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2011 00:56:46 | More by tlazaroff

3.08/5  rDev -20%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12oz. bottle. Poured a gold-amber in color with a little haze. Large light tan head formed. Aroma was hops, pine & grapefruit variety, and molasses. Taste was similar, with hops coming first, followed by some malt/sweetness in the middle. Hops were citrus at start and floral at the finish. Apricots never made an appearance in either the aroma or the taste. Body was medium, as was the carbonation. This beer was OK, but nothing special. Many better IPA's in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2006 14:33:25 | More by

cproioi

Ohio

3.08/5  rDev -20%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

The beer poured a copper color with an off white head that left little lacing. The body was clear and no carbonation present. The aroma had a citrusy hops aroma with a back up of apricots that came in slightly. The taste of the beer followed suit but it wasn't a big of an IPA that the label made it seemed. It was rather lacking on the hops flavor. It had a hops front but the taste was rather weak. So was the apricot flavors. Maybe I had a bad bottle. The mouthfeel was bubble and semidry finish. The beer had a slight alcohol tingle in the mouth. The drinkability of this beer was alright but not impressive at all.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2006 03:21:31 | More by cproioi

barnzy78

Illinois

3.08/5  rDev -20%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12oz. Poured a tangerine orange color with a thin off-white head that left a slight lacing on the glass. Aroma was mainly apricot with trace floral hops - I expected more. Taste was odd at first - apricot, alcohol, sour notes, slight malt character, slight hop bitterness. I am still not too sure what to think of this one. Maybe it needed to age a little bit - too fresh? It seemed like something was off and the flavors were lacking. I expected better from Dogfish Head.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2009 12:42:27 | More by barnzy78

busterthecat

Massachusetts

3.08/5  rDev -20%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Bottle date of 2011 6A. Poured into a Sam Adams perfect pint glass. $10.99-4pk.

A- Pours a golden copper hue from bottle that sits a nice amber color. A good foamy egg shell head forms and then resides to a foamy cap.

S- Lots of fruit with some hops and a soft malty depth. The fruit notes are mostly a mix of apricot & tangerine. Hops are definitely in the orange range. Medium strength.

T- Lots of soft fresh bready and doughy malt. The fruit seems to be absorbed into the malt body. The hops are faint and really only noticeable as the flavors begin to fade. The malt is sweet and has slight notes of soft caramel as well as some spice. The fruit can be noticed if you imagine them, otherwise lost.

M- Medium bodied. Lingers well. Hops are slightly present in the finish and have a slight bite and tingle on palate. The malt body has a drying feel. Good feel for an IPA, just needs the hops to complete.

O- Pretty much a malt bomb. I was hoping for more hops and more apricot to provide a refreshing crisp brew. Perhaps hops have faded, don't know what the date code stands for, (6A- June?). The smell is more on point, as well as the body feel would have been a great canvas to showcase some fruity hops and apricot. Barely holds onto being an IPA. Easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2011 23:11:02 | More by busterthecat

jmarsh123

Indiana

3.08/5  rDev -20%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pours a hazy orange hue with a minimal head.

Smells like a fairly regular IPA. A little bit of apricot, but mostly citrus smells.

Starts off slightly citrus then fades into a pretty strong malt. The aftertaste is of bitter apricot.

Mouthfeel and carb are good.

Too malty for how I like my IPA's and the aftertaste is more funky than good.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2011 17:44:30 | More by jmarsh123

stouts4me

Illinois

3.08/5  rDev -20%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Appearance looks good when held up to the light.Nice color.

Poured into a chilled Stone pint glass . The cold is not a deterrant on the flavor, taste is well defined still, apricot is there but I think just a little more would have been nice.

The taste was well done by dogfish, again I think just a bit more and this would be totally refreshing.

overall I like this a bit more than some of the other Dogfish creations.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2012 00:25:44 | More by stouts4me

santoslhalper

Pennsylvania

3.05/5  rDev -20.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

Appearence: Poured a crystal clear amber colloer with a large creamy off-white head.

Smell: The smell is an unimpressive mix of malts a slight fruitiness. The malts smell cheap and the fruits smell fake.

Taste and Mouthfeel: Tastes better than it smells. The apricots really aren't that noticable until about 10 seconds after the swallow. IPA? No. There are hardly any hops. The malts are the focus, and aren't that incredibly intruiging. It lacks carbonation as well. The alcohol is well hidden. The mouthfeel is rich and creamy.

Drinkability and Overall: Not bad, but not great. It's not an IPA, not really an apricot beer. But not bad. It's very creamy, but the malt and apricot aftertaste really starts to get old, which hurts the drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2005 22:50:05 | More by santoslhalper

bennetj17

Arizona

3.05/5  rDev -20.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Bottled on 3/28/06

A: Copper with light amberish glow, no head, subtle carbonation throughout.

S: Faint, sugary malt nose with hint of fruit, not much hop intensity for what they label an "IPA"

T: Mild sugary malt taste, hint of fruit although no distinct apricot flavor, light floral hop notes but not much bitterness. Just a little weak all around.

MF: Adequate carbonation, slightly thin in body.

D: Very average beer, I don't think the brewer really accomplished what they were aiming for in this brew. I might try it again, but don't count on it...

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2006 20:53:15 | More by bennetj17

SaCkErZ9

Florida

3.05/5  rDev -20.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Dispensed from 12oz bottle into a pint glass. Apricot colored beer emerges and it topped with a solid, peanut colored head of average size; about 1 finger or so. No lacing. A small layer of carbonation remains on top during consumption of the beer.

Aroma certainly wasnt apricoty. Somewhat alcoholic and biscuity. Lots of caramel flavors as well. Doesnt really smell too IPAish as it is light on the hops for sure. Mostly lacklyster in overall aroma qualities.

Taste was average I suppose. Malty with a touch of hop bitterness. Pretty sweet but not cloying. It is possible there is some apricot in there but since I am not a huge apricot consumer (I assume it is somewhat peachy in overall characteristics) I cant really tell if there is any in there.

As the beer warms, more of the apricot comes out and is actaully noticeable in the finish. Also in the finish is a mettalic qualtiy that could be achieved by sucking on an old AA battery (not that Ive ever done that).

Overall not bad. Nice carbonation, medium bodied. Comes in a four pack and that is perfect as six would be too many. I will drink the others and be happy.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2007 19:09:43 | More by SaCkErZ9

Onslow

Texas

3.05/5  rDev -20.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

hmm..?..Pours a dark brown rust colour...
nice constant white cream head...
lacing is very good..
is kinda refreshing but lacks character, bitters and apricots..
.a letdown by a far gap, being from DFH.

I felt like a beer with nice hops (DFH right?)
but this had a muddled balance..

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2007 16:32:27 | More by Onslow

PhillyStyle

Georgia

3.05/5  rDev -20.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a mug. The beer poured a clear copper, with hints of orange, color with a thick white head that dissolved slowly. The aroma was pretty true to an IPA, some hops with a slight touch of sweetness. The taste was not particularly appealing to me. The sweetness of the fruit was the first thing that I tasted and I could not really get past it. I tasted the fruit at the beginning, got the hops in the middle and then back with the fruit. Overall, this was not what I was expecting at all. I expected more IPA with a hint of the apricot, but it seemed for me to be the other way around. The carbonation was right for the beer, but I could not drink more than one. I will probably not buy/order again.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2008 12:05:09 | More by PhillyStyle

bluetravlr

Colorado

3.05/5  rDev -20.8%
look: 2 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

A: Clear amber coloring. Very little head. Absolutely no lacing.

S: Hoppy, slightly spicy citrus smell. Subtle apricot as well. Not very overwhelming.

T: There is definitely the flavor of apricots. This is sweet at first until matched by a dry, hoppy bitterness. Leaves a subtle, dry aftertaste with bitter, woody notes.

M: Very light for an IPA. Overly carbonated.

D: For housing a 7%ABV this beer is extremely drinkable. The apricot might get old after a few, but otherwise this could definitely qualify as a session beer.

I have to say, compared to other Dogfishhead beers I was very underwhelmed. I was expecting more from this beer, especially in terms of body. Worth trying, but I won't be buying another for some time.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2009 23:55:08 | More by bluetravlr

beertunes

Washington

3.05/5  rDev -20.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured into 10oz glass. Poured a very pretty, clear copper color with 3/4 inch of off-white head that had very good retention and nice lacing.

The apricot scent was just barely noticeable on the nose. More typical grain and hop scents were more noticeable. Pretty much the same in the mouth, this just comes across as a fairly average IPA with a slight fruity taste to it.

The body was also average for the style and drinkability will depend on how much you like the faint apricot taste.

Overall, nothing special or terrible about this brew. It won't kill you to try it, but it won't thrill you either.

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2010 19:42:50 | More by beertunes

axeman9182

New Jersey

3.05/5  rDev -20.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

12oz bottle, poured into my Bruery tulip.

Aprihop pours a surprisingly dark amber, as dark if not darker than any other IPA I've ever had. The slightly off white head comes right to the top of the glass, passing three fingers in height. Head retention is above average, and gobs of lacing are left around the glass. The nose is a bit more citrus centric than the 90 Minute IPA I had last night, but pine is still present as well. There's also a little bit of caramel sweetness present, and just a touch of apricot. The aroma is a bit weak though. Aprihop's flavor just doesn't quite pass muster. The caramel malt flourish upfront is way too pronounced, and after a brief cutting bitterness an entirely too tame citrus and apricot finish. Not nearly enough hop flavor to justify calling it an IPA. This may in part be due to an entirely lackluster carbonation. The bubbles just seem to die halfway through each sip, before they can help bring out the hops. As a result the body comes across as way too heavy, and everything here's just out of whack for an IPA. I probably enjoyed Aprihop a little bit more than the score indicates as just a beer, but for being billed as an IPA with apricot it just falls short.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2011 00:59:54 | More by axeman9182

PatandDavid

Massachusetts

3.03/5  rDev -21.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Hmm, I think I like this better on tap...anyway, Chill haze has worn off, and I can see a clear strong ceylon tea color. Head was as frothy as I could get it when pouring, it has since died down, although I have a thin layer of tan froth and some sheet lacing in the glass. I can smell the beer at least 7 inches away, and as I get closer, I am getting some alcohol covered apricots in the nose. Taste is almost full, with a smooth slippery apricot flavor that finishes with some tannic hoppiness. Not bad, but again, I think more enjoyable on tap, there's a bit more lightness there. This bottle version wasn't heavy, but it was a bit filling.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2004 00:31:55 | More by PatandDavid

jdhilt

New Hampshire

3.03/5  rDev -21.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours a three-fingered off-white head that fades slowly leaving a ton of lace. Cloudy amber color. Hoppy nose with hints of apricot. Medium carbonation and medium bodied. Starts and finishes with a different hoppy/apricot flavor. The hops are much less than Dogfish's 60 minute IPA. $2.00 for a 12oz bottle from Colonial Spirits, Acton, Ma.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2004 01:01:52 | More by jdhilt