ApriHop - Dogfish Head Brewery

cpetrone84

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A-clear red copper colored beer with a white head and no lace or retention.

S-this is quite appricot forward, all hops and tropical fruit notes but mostly appricot. Slightly resignous in the back.

T-tons of appricot throughout, pretty straight forward and one dimension. Some notes of pine in the back with a light hop bitterness

M-smooth and creamy, very soft on the palate. Medium bodied and a little syrupy. Good carbonation with a crisp finish.

D-not creative and unique, they aren't pushing the envelope like they normally do; this is appricot in taste and a nice hoppy IPA. Smooth and easy drinking with enough bitterness to keep it an IPA and not a fruit beer

Serving type: on-tap

04-25-2010 23:56:02 | More by cpetrone84

jwhancher

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a clear amber to copper. Nice head. Nice hop aroma. Spicy & floral notes. Tastes like a very good IPA but the apricot flavor appears to be missing. This is definitely a different recipe from last year as that batch seemed to have too much apricot and too little hops. Perhaps next year they can work on finding some middle ground? Even still, this is still a very solid IPA that I enjoy nonetheless. Could drink a bunch of these but I was expecting a lighter more fruity ale.

Serving type: on-tap

04-16-2010 20:47:29 | More by jwhancher

SShelly

California

3.83/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

pours crystal clear amber with little head and zero retention.

Aroma is light and hoppy, barely existent.

Flavor is a blend of citrus and apricot behind, light malt and and a nice crisp bitterness left in the mouth.

Leaves hops on the tongue, nice beer, apricot flavor doesn't really make it any better than a normal ipa.

Serving type: on-tap

04-16-2010 02:46:17 | More by SShelly

kahjdfh

Pennsylvania

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

I'm not a fan of fruit beers or IPA's but for some reason this works together really well. It had a nice balance with a nice crisp bite. I picked up a four pack on a whim, with the plan to try one and probably not like and give the other three away. Those other three have found a spot in my frig and I'm not sharing.

Serving type: on-tap

04-16-2010 00:41:36 | More by kahjdfh

goster

Texas

4.22/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

(a) A relatively good looking brew. Probably somewhere between 4L and 9L and very clear. Had a nice head which held through the duration of the pint.

(s) Can't say enough good things about the aroma of this beer. An incredible mixture of hops and apricot. Not overwhelming but just right.

(t) Although not personally my taste I can recognize that this is indeed a well crafted brew. The amount of fruit in the flavor is about right...certainly not overpowering.

(d) Pretty good drinkability. I would recommend trying it paired with food.

Serving type: on-tap

04-16-2010 00:04:03 | More by goster

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

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

Appearance: Poured ontap, a dark copper in color with some head and lace clinging.

Smell: Fruity smell upfront, with some malt sweetness and floral hops chiming in.

Taste: Definate apricot flavors with a fair amount of piney hops. Malt sweetness blends with the fruit, and just enough hops to keep it from being a sweet mess. I like the apricot flavor in the beer, its kind of like Magic Hat #9 but with more of a hop presence.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with spritzy carbonation.

Drinkability: One went down fine and it is a good spring seasonal, but for extended drinking it may be a tad cloying.

Serving type: on-tap

04-13-2010 17:39:03 | More by Stinkypuss

DNICE555

Connecticut

4.47/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Plan B. I had this in a bottle a while ago and it was disgusting. There was no date on the bottle but I assumed it was old. I was right!!! This was awesome on tap. Super Hoppy. Just a slight hint of apricot. This is like a magic hat number 9 on hop roids. Awesome beer. Really well balanced. I destroyed this pint and didn't even notice the alcohol. What a great beer.

Serving type: on-tap

04-13-2010 00:16:02 | More by DNICE555

garuda

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear dark amber with a one finger thick pinkish head with good retention that dissipates to a thin ring with good lacing.

S - Sweet malt/ apricot, with some pine resin hop aromas.

T - Apricots and sweet caramel malts up front, with a strong pine and citrus hop finish.

M - Medium to full body, medium carbonation, strong hop content makes it a bit rough across the palate.

D - Unique beer, definitely worth a try, but the apricot taste becomes a bit too strong for me towards the end of the drink. Not something that I will particularly seek out in the future.

Serving type: on-tap

04-11-2010 00:59:17 | More by garuda

sublimesipping

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

so friends, I really left flat from my tastes of this beer and previous review in 04 so I never truly sought this one out again. Flash ahead six years and I am sitting in the new brew pub in my Philly neighborhood- a true new "heavweight" in the Philly beer scene- one very snowy night this past Feb for DFH night, looking forward to this for weeks and lo and behold the Aprihop is on- server who I respect strongly reccomends I give this another go so I do and damm if I swear that the tender screwed up my pour- got to be the 90 min in the glass- got to, but no I am told this is now how the Aprihop is drinking in 2010- its now retro- back to the original recipe. and lo and behold when Sam the man enters the place later in the eve he tells me just the same info- DFH changed the recipe this year and back to the original - like PUNkin hops dominates and not the fruit or veg- apricots complement this beer so well great finish to this bee... excellent and would you know the aprihop is the first of the six or seven kegs to kick that night...
tonight I drink the bottle version and it is as good- great great spring beer, love the DFH IPAs and the seasonal spins therein- for me PUNK in the fall and now Aprihop in the spring. this beer says spring to me with a bite, bitterness, and body though great effervescne and great amber color make this truly spring in a glass with a hint of summer thrown in. A true winner again from Dogfish- If your're like me and stuck in your ways give this retooled beer another round and be enjoyably suprised. Great beer

Serving type: on-tap

04-08-2010 02:35:37 | More by sublimesipping

womencantsail

California

3.48/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

On-tap at Stone

A: The pour is a clear amber color with a fluffy (slightly) off-white head.

S: The nose is not as sweet as I was expecting. There is a nice amount of citrus, but the apricots are there and do give the beer a sweet nose.

T: The apricots are more pronounced in the flavor, especially as the beer warms. They are sweet and jam-like and only partially counteracted by some resinous pine.

M: The body is medium with a crisp carbonation and given the sweetness, it's a bit dry.

D: This beer wasn't quite as bad as I was expecting. While it was too sweet, it still had a fair amount of balance.

Serving type: on-tap

03-29-2010 06:43:59 | More by womencantsail

rye726

Colorado

3.15/5  rDev -18.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a medium brown with an average looking tan head.

Nose has apricot, grainy malts and stale hops.

No fresh hops here! Grassy malts and an artificial apricot flavor.

Not impresses. Light body is a bit syrupy. Thin finish, over carbonated.

Nothing special.

Serving type: on-tap

03-27-2010 19:45:09 | More by rye726

TMoney2591

Illinois

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

Served in a shaker pint glass, having been run through Randall the Enamel Animal (packed with apricots and cascade hops).

Pours a clear dark amber with a finger of foamy ecru head that leaves almost no lacing behind at all. The nose is loaded with hoppy citrus, apricots, and...well, that's pretty much it. The taste generally follows, with those hops coming through strongly, the apricots a bit more subtlely, and the addition of some greenery and peaches. The body is firmly moderate, with appropriately moderate carbonation and a fairly dry finish, leading to a pretty high drinkability when all is said 'n' done.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

03-15-2010 03:27:48 | More by TMoney2591

mindlucent2007

Pennsylvania

4.8/5  rDev +24.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

appearance: Amber with a creamy head

smell: Fruit up front and also flowers and hops. Spring is here.

taste: Starts with an intense taste of hops. I like how the hops are presented in this. The balance of them along with apricots and other fruit is what makes this brew interesting. There is a hoppy aftertaste as well.

mouthfeel: Light carbonation. Creamy and very smooth for a 7% IPA. Nectarish.

drinkability: I can easily drink this brew since it is a laid back IPA. Another Dogfish Head with a subtle 7%. My kind of IPA. I was glad to find this on draft and I will be grabbing 4 packs when I see them.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

03-14-2010 23:40:16 | More by mindlucent2007

JRed

New Jersey

3.85/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Dark red topped with off white head. Aroma of fresh hops, greens, grapes, light fruit. Tastes of hops, apricot, fruit, peaches. A medium-heavy bodied brew that is has some refreshingly light flavors. A good take on the IPA style and a great balance of hops and fruit notes.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

03-14-2010 20:18:02 | More by JRed

mdfb79

New York

3.48/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

From notes. Had on tap at Galaxy Hut in Arlington, VA on 3/12/10.

a - Pours a dark amber with about an inch of white head. Nice lacing, little carbonation evident.

s - Very interesting smell. Lots of apricots and hops.

t - Tastes very strongly of apricots. Lots of hops as well, Slight bitterness to it.

m - Medium body with little carbonation. Smooth and creamy.

d - Overall this was an interesting IPA. I was eager to try it after hearing good things, even though apricots aren't one of my favorite fruits. I thought they captured the apricot smell and taste very well, but halfway through a pint I felt I had had enough. If you like apricots I would definitely check this out, but if you aren't crazy about them, I might give this a pass.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

03-13-2010 18:19:46 | More by mdfb79

goblue3509

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a nice orangish copper color with some hints of red in it. There is very little for a head maybe one finger which settles quickly and gives way to minimal lacing. The aroma has a caramel malt backbone to it, which is covered by the apricot smell and maybe some other light fruits. The taste is of a caramel backbone with a nice ripe apricot taste over the top and a slightly bitter earth hop bite. The mouthfeel is of moderate carbonation and is crisp. The drinkability is very high on this, it is a very drinkable beer, crisp smooth and refreshing.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

11-20-2009 18:38:30 | More by goblue3509

originalsin

California

3.6/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Spent all summer downing pints of this delightfully refreshing offering from Dogfish Head.
Big citrus hops on the nose with the ever-present scent of apricot working its way deep into my nostrils.
With regard to taste, there isn't anything phenomenal going on here- it's a pretty standard IPA that manages to gain a bit of something from light tart notes and the pervasiveness of the apricot.
It's a bit dry for my liking but drinks brilliantly anyway. I'm sure I'll be drinking this one through the many summers to come.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

10-06-2009 03:31:21 | More by originalsin

capra12

New York

3.75/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Reviewed on 8/21/09 solo special thanks to Kevin,

Appearance: Orange in color with 1 1/2 fingers of head

Smell: Sour fruit and hops.

Taste: Opens with slightly unripened apricots which is apparent throughout. Hops come in more towards the end and carryover into the aftertaste where there is also a tanginess.

Mouthfeel: Light bodied and moderately carbonated.

Drinkability: I would have this again and surprisingly enough the alcohol isn't that apparent.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

09-01-2009 03:06:38 | More by capra12

DwnTwnBwn

California

3.88/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Deep copper and cloudy color. Came with a 2 finger head that fell and laced the glass well.

S - A good Hoppy piney aroma nose with a slight hint of sweet malt and apricots.

T - A lighter taste of light caramel malts and a decent amount of grassey hop notes. The Finish is good with a touch of apricots ending on a dry palette.

M - Medium bodied. Plenty of Carbonation.

O - This a very approachable experimental beer. The apricot flavor could have been a bit stronger but all around it's a good beer.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

08-16-2009 03:35:53 | More by DwnTwnBwn

Buschyfor3

Kentucky

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

16oz draft special at Flanagan's Ale House in Louisville, KY.

A: Deep amber-orange body with a slightly sticky, off-white head; head depth of about a finger that reduces to a few centimeters of bubbly lacing.

S: Tart apricot juice; leafy, citrusy hops. Really, the nose is tangy and slightly bitter. Not getting much of the malts over the tart apricot and hops. If you enjoy apricot, you'll get your fill here.

T: Again, tart apricot juice followed by some astringent hops - leafy, earthy/resin-like pine notes, some citrus rind bitterness too. The apricot and hops are followed by a small bready push from the malts, but the tangy apricot flavor comes right back to wallop the palate. Finish is drying, and some more malt characters come forth - some husk wheat notes, slightly buttery.

M: Slightly slick mouthfeel is the result of solid carbonation.

D: This IPA took me longer than normal to drink - the apricot flavor is strong and not for everyone's tastes.

Just like the Festina Peche, Aprihop is an interesting twist on a style, but not for everyone. Nice to try, but not one I would drink on a regular basis.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

07-30-2009 04:07:46 | More by Buschyfor3

Wheelinb

Missouri

3.13/5  rDev -18.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

We had this at the Hopleaf in Chicago. I am not sure what to make of this beer. I was anxious to try it out but cannot really say what it is or isn't. It wasn't bad, just not in the taste range I like. It was not overly sweet - more like a tart apple perhaps. Good body and you could taste the hops but the fruitiness reigned. May have to try it again.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

06-27-2009 19:43:44 | More by Wheelinb

Amalak

New York

3.28/5  rDev -14.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I had this in 2012, and while I think it's better than what I rated it in back in 2009, it's a bit TOO apricot for my likes. As an example, a No. 9 by Magic Hat tones it down just a bit to make the fruit not over bearing.

My rating is based off personal preference. If you like sweet, really sweet, beers, this seems high quality. I, personally, am not a fan of overly sweet brews.

Dark red, orange in color. Clear, slightly bubbly with limited head and lace. Very fruity scent.

Extremely carbonated. Apricots really come through. Too fruity for my taste. Kind of upset my stomach.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

05-22-2009 22:20:50 | More by Amalak

Lepley

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: I was surprised by the color when this was served to me. Deep amber, not much head but this is how the bar tender poured it, very little lacing.
S: Light and fruity, sweet, citrus, floral.
T: First thought was that this was some type of IPA. Fruity, sweet, citrus, lemon, grapefruit, definitely apricot, a little hoppy, light bitterness. I didn't notice the tartness other reviewers are reporting.
M: Smooth, light.
D: I was surprised by this and rathe enjoyed it. I don't usually like fruity beers, but for some reason I enjoy ones with apricot flavor. Good refreshing beer.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

05-16-2009 20:21:07 | More by Lepley

UDbeernut

New York

2.88/5  rDev -25.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2.5

on tap poured into pint glass

a: clear redish color, slight head that reuces to lacing rings

s: strong fruitiness, followed by citrusy hops

t: carmelized fruit/apricot. hops are clean and balance well. Finishes slightly tart

m&d: this is were the beer loses me, I find it to be a bit syrupy/medicinal. Ok drinkablility, but not my cup of tea.

Cheers!!!

Serving type: on-tap
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

04-30-2009 23:56:28 | More by UDbeernut

nrbw23

Ohio

3.35/5  rDev -13%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Pours a dark ruby color with a nice off white head. Head has nice retention and leaves little lacing.

S- Smells of grain along with sweet malts and some apricots are there, but there's a definite lack of hops in the aroma for a beer called an IPA.

T- There really isn't much hop bitterness at all. Mild flavors of apricot and bready malts hang around towards the finish. The apricot flavor comes back again at the last second.

M- Medium in body and nice carbonation.

D- I think I could easily drink a few of these. The first thing I thought of after my first sip was Magic Hat #9 only bigger.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, 320 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach

04-21-2009 03:31:57 | More by nrbw23