ApriHop - Dogfish Head Brewery

RoyalT

Ohio

4.05/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance – This nice-looking darkish-orange beer sported a good, retentive, orangish-white head.

Smell – The light, ripe apricots were intermixed with some sharp piney notes and a good, balancing malt base.

Taste – The toasted malts and complex hops (mostly pine and citrus) were evenly mixed and went well with the light apricot flavor. There’s also a small nutty character that adds to the natural apricot character.

Mouthfeel – This beefy Fruit Beer is a bit bigger than medium-bodied. It is very hoppy with a strong malt base infused with luscious apricots.

Drinkability – This is a great beer from a great brewery. The beer came across very strong and fibrous.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2004 15:55:36 | More by RoyalT

sinistersteve

Oregon

3.45/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Saw this beer and thought an apricot IPA would be a very interesting tasting beer. However, there doesn't seem to be too much to write home with this one. No real big sense of apricots off the nose or taste from the mouth. Apperance is a bit more reddish compared to most IPA's, which is what the bottle describes the beer as even though BA has this listed as a fruit beer. Perhaps I'll stick with the X-minute IPA's instead of the fruity IPA's from DFH.

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2004 05:22:21 | More by sinistersteve

Lupe

New York

4.08/5  rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Copper in color with a large, frothy white head that sticks around and leaves nice lace. The aroma of apricot hits you front he moment the bottle is opened, and slowly subsides until it is in the backround. Toasted malt and floral hops are also in the nose. Apricot does not assert itself in the flavor, it is there in the backround providing a sweetness, bit does not get in the way of this IPA. Nice toasted malt sweetness and floral-citrus hop flavors. Well rounded IPA that does not get dry like others do. There is a juiciness to it, possibly from the apricot. Smooth and juicy, medium-full in body, great drinkablilty. Very nice.

Serving type: bottle

08-27-2004 02:55:41 | More by Lupe

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

ramrod666

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

appearence of aprihop is a nice amber with a off-white head that falls slowly to a thin sheet. smell is terrific. citrusy hops with a definitive sweet apricot right in back. taste is better than expected. apricots are only a subltle influence on this ipa. there is only a wisp of sweetness and apricot flavor. the rest is a mild ipa with bold hop flavor with a dry, slightly bitter finish. mouthfeel is light and slightly oily. smooth. overall an easy drinker with a name that will make any boone's farm swiggin' beotch wanna try it. if they do, they will find a baddass ipa that'll make their toes curl.

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2004 22:39:59 | More by ramrod666

Hefe

Maryland

4.38/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Tasted on 8/6/04. Poured into a pint glass from a standard 12oz bottle.

Appearance: Dark amber/ burnished copper colour, with a sticky, rocky head that never truly fades.

Smell: Fruit and malt and hops oh my! The aromas cascade like a tidal wave. Apricot, plum, caramel malt, and floral hops.

Taste: Rich with an initial sweet maltiness that slips into a nice plum/apricot frutiness. The finish is strong with hops, but not overpowering.

Mouthfeel: Very creamy with a medium bodied roundness.

Drinkability: Very drinkable, paired very, very well with that barbacoa burrito from chipotle.

Serving type: bottle

08-08-2004 15:32:00 | More by Hefe

Mitchster

Michigan

4.03/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Pours to a clear copper-caramel, forming a rocky and sticky very light beige head with excellent retention and a solid sheet of lacing. Carbonation is moderate. Very nice looking beer. Aroma is nice enough...kinda light with a touch of floral hoppiness and fruit, like Centennial. Distant dry malts. Can't pick up on any apricot, really. Mouthfeel is very smooth and creamy with a surprisingly dense and chewy body given that most fruit beers are rather light. Very nice mouthfeel...thick and viscous. Taste begins with a smattering of herbal hops, followed by a touch of fusels, some aldehydes, chewy pale, crystal, and amber malts...medium intensity herbal bitterness towards the finish. If I really concentrate, I may taste some peaches, but I would never be able to tell you this beer was made with apricots in a blind tasting. Fusels hit me towards the end. Semi-dry with lingering herbal hops. Mild off-flavors.

This is a decent beer. I really like the look and mouthfeel, though the fusels hamper it's enjoyment. Tastes like an IPA with a wisp of pear or peach nectar. One of DFH's more enjoyable brews, though it doesn't really excite me.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2004 23:44:11 | More by Mitchster

carln26

Missouri

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

This beer poured an almost perfect head. A nice mixture of champagne and some larger bubbles. The lace stayed on the glass as I admired the color. The color is a deep copper, almost brown. The nose is hops up front, the citrus does come forward some (I think assisted by the apricots). Definitely more malty/sweetness than most IPAs I try. A nice balance throughout the tasting experience. It has a medium body, very nice balance. I think I’ll have another! This has a lot less hops than most IPAs, but it’s a very drinkable beer. I admire their work in attempting something a little different. I agree with other reviews. This is an IPA first. The apricots add to the experience, they don't dominate.

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2004 23:57:36 | More by carln26

granger10

Wisconsin

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

This beer pours a burnt orange color with a small light head. The head fades quickly. The nose is of citrusy fruits and some hop bitterness but not much. The taste has a hoppy foundation to it. A honeyish lightness mixes in with the hops. Apricots finishes it off. Very nice.

This is an IPA first, fruit beer second. Which is how fruit beers should be imo. The hops are subdued by the apricots and it makes for an interesting but satisfying combo. The finish, like the body, is very clean, almost too clean for my liking. A very nice beer all in all.

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2004 01:35:30 | More by granger10

winomark

Missouri

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

Deep golden copper with a thick light tan, quite sticky head. Mild nose of hop citrus and a bit of fruitiness from the apricops. Wonderful IPA flavors. Hops dominate with a good malty richness and a slightly sweet finish. Good mouthfeel; flavorful but not heavy. Very nice. A wonderful drinking IPA. Not as hoppy as the other IPAs from DFH, but still very pleasant. Highly recommended. Well worth trying when you find it.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2004 18:09:32 | More by winomark

inebrius

Michigan

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

As enlivening as a cool brazilian tune embellished with cuica. Now I understand. Now I know. Hops just need a little fruit to soften the edge and what better than the apricot to fulfill the purpose. Aromas of jessamine drawn up close, the honey-floral sweetness next to the evergreen leaf, the clover's zest and white-purple flowers. The yielding of the bitter spice to silky sugar infusion.

This fruit does more for the hop than any double IPA ever could.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2004 02:08:13 | More by inebrius

Gusler

Arizona

4.13/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

The beer after its emancipation from the 12-ounce brown bottle pours somewhat muzzy deep amber to copper color; the head is mountainous and frothy in texture, the color a nice light tan. Nose is sweet with the malt and Apricots, also a tad of hops, crisp, fresh with the start sweet and nicely malted, top is middling in its feel to the palate, Finish has an authoritarian acidity, the hops personable in their spiciness, sweetly and dry aftertaste, a bit light weight, but drinkable none-the-less

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2004 20:59:34 | More by Gusler

putnam

Michigan

4.08/5  rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Outstanding, stiffly beaten egg yolk texture to the top of this bronze-colored liquid.
The aromas are of clean, fragrant, fluffy, bright green buds and peachy, nutty, honey flavored malts.
On the palate it sings with ultra clean, formidably dense fruits and yellow blooms in a thick, creamy-textured platform. The finish resolves with a very tight grip clearly endowed by liberal infusions of dry hop.
This is a hophead's delight with an interesting, rich, honeyed foundation.

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2004 02:37:12 | More by putnam

Popsinc

Ontario (Canada)

3.8/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Courtesy of Malto....thanks again!

Appearance: very nice amber pour with a generous frothy head

Smell: nice blend of hoppiness with some malty sweetness. not too much apricot in the nose but fruity nonetheless.

Taste/Mouthfeel: again, malty up front followed by good hoppiness mid sip. the apricot fruitiness peeks out late in the sip and meshes together with the hop bitterness. a medium bodied beer with some richness to it. bitter on the finish but pleasant. apricot notes linger long afterwards although subtle.

Drinkability: the apricot here seems toned down making this, for the most part, an IPA. not sure if the combo is doing it for me. i'd rather have an IPA or an Apricot Wheat. having said that, it's an above average brew of solid quality.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2004 00:06:43 | More by Popsinc

danadeny

Colorado

3.5/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I was expecting a little more excitement out of this beer. The head was a frothy off white color, of average size. The lacing on the glass was good too. The body looked hazy brown, lightly cloudy. The overall apricot flavor was small but noticeable, the hops and alcohol flavors overpower it I think. These is some saltiness in the beginning too. The smell was potent hop flowers and a little grapefruit. The mouthfeel was good, medium body, kind of sticky, and a bitter finish. Overall not a bad beer. I think the apricot theme works better in the magic hat #9 because the apricot flavor is less hidden due to weaker hops.

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2004 13:07:08 | More by danadeny

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

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

Lucent orange-amber that, yes, resembles apricots. As far as I'm concerned, it looks identical to many other IPAs. The ecru-colored head is large and dense with miniscule bubbles along the side where foam meets glass. Whispy chunks of lace remain in the aftermath. It smells of citrusy hops with an obvious, but not overpowering, aroma of fresh apricots. The nose strikes a great balance. I hope that the apricot flavor is similarly in the background on the palate.

It seems that DFH has achieved the proper proportion of apricot flavor to hop flavor; at least the proportion that I prefer. Aprihop is first and foremost an IPA, and that's as it should be. I realize that brewing with fruit or fruit juice automatically earns a beer a 'fruit/vegetable beer' classification, but I think that's inaccurate in this case.

The sweet, cake-like malt bottom and the solid, citrus hoppy, nicely bitter middle is faintly kissed by subtle top notes of apricot that do not get in the way at all. The body is smooth and full, almost viscous, although it dissipates a little on the finish. The 7% ABV is noticeable and keeps this from being a 'summer slammer'.

As one who doesn't particularly like apricots, I wasn't sure how well I would like Aprihop. DFH has come up with a good beer though by keeping the hops up front and the apricot in a supporting role. I'll stick to my unadulterated IPAs, but this was good for something different. Nice effort.

Serving type: bottle

07-16-2004 23:46:47 | More by BuckeyeNation

drewbage

California

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

Sampled from a nice 12oz brown botlle presented as a portion of the HHHIF. Thank the maker.

Beer pours into the nice tall pilaarbitter glass with a large rocky head that dropped off quickly.Beer is a hazy dark orange with a brown dark to the depths of the brew.

Aroma is grassy orange with dry citrus notes, but not much depth or complexity

Flavor is a bit of honey sweet biscuity malt with a good slap of hops. (Not A lot surprisingly since I've been sampling a lot of 90min recently.)

Not a ton of apritcot flavor and that's really what I think this beer should express more of.

But it's not a horrible beer.. should be drier.

Serving type: bottle

07-16-2004 05:30:48 | More by drewbage

bultrey

New York

4.38/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Hazy dark orange, avg. head with nice lacing

Smell: Fresh apricot is quite evident in the nose, followed by a bit of biscuity malt and some, but not much, hops characteristic

Taste: Almost opposite the smell... good strong india pale ale taste, with a bit more malt than hops characteristic... or it might be the apricot providing that extra kick of sweetness. The actual apricot flavor is very subtle, in my opinion. The hops are subtle, but there, with citrus being the most accessible flavor. This beer opens up 10-fold as the temperature drops from refrigerator to slightly above room temperature. I would highly recommend serving this cool, not cold.

Mouthfeel: Thick, much thicker than would be expected for an IPA. Almost creamy. Good, solid carbonation. but not a whole lot of effervescence.

Drinkability: I'll reiterate my response to a message board post a while back... this is truly drinkable for a beer with a higher-than-average ABV. I think it's around 7 or 8 percent, and it's barely detectable. Incredibly smooth. Refreshing enough on a summer day, but since it's better near room temperature, I would more likely opt for it on a cool spring or autumn night. Absolutely delicious and highly underrated, I think.

Serving type: bottle

07-13-2004 16:55:33 | More by bultrey

NEhophead

Massachusetts

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

Off-white head that slowly fades to the sides creating a bubbly froth that settles at the rim. Great lacing that forms a maze-like pattern. An orange, amber glow to the ale.

A fruit aroma: peach, apricot, and apple that isn't too strong. There's also some sweet hop aromas that again aren't overpowering.

Very carbonated hop, apricot flavor. The apricot flavor isn't as strong as I thought it would be and the hops of a traditional IPA really don't come to fruition. A touch of burnt bitterness is in the finish that round out the apricot taste. A mildly sweet and sour flavor that is also quite pleasant.

Crisp and refreshing. All-in-all pretty smooth for a fruit (?) beer. Very nice carbonation that helps with the mouthfeel.

Very drinkable at 7% abv and the fruit aspect isn't obtrusive enough to give you a headache the next morning.

A very unique and interesting beer to try, but I do have a bit of a problem with it: an IPA? I just don't taste the amount of hops that a standard IPA has. Nevertheless, a very flavorful and unique tasting beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2004 02:20:48 | More by NEhophead

lackenhauser

Maryland

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

Nice color-almost orange.Slight head-good carbonation level.Somewhat spicy aroma.Malt and hops.Very slight aroma of fruit.Nice big malty flavor.The apricots are there but do not overwhelm.Good balance between the fruit,hops and malt.Nice smooth and full mouthfeel.A very drinkable beer-the fruit is really in the backround which is a nice change.Refreshing on a hot day-alcohol might catch up on you.

Serving type: bottle

07-06-2004 22:28:09 | More by lackenhauser

Ahhdball

Ohio

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

Nice amber with deep red tones. Volumptuos beige head that leaves excellent lacing.

Citrus, toffee, and roasted nuts come across my nose and finish with the apricots. Not a huge scent but done just right.

Smooth caramel malt with a healthy dosage of the hops finishing gently with the passage of mild apricots. Very nice!

Sticky and chewy which left a thin veil anticipating more.

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2004 18:35:06 | More by Ahhdball

thinkbreakfast

New York

4.35/5  rDev +13%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

App: Very dark amber with a great, thick head. Slightly cloudy.

Smell: Very complex mixture of hops, apricots and malt. Hint of alcohol.

Taste: wow. Malt hits the front of the tongue and lingers well into the after taste. The hops register on the back, while the apricots float freely throughout. Aftertaste has a bite of apricot. Very different and very good. The hops and apricot aspects are balanced nicely. And, while these are the two main forces in this beer, the malt factor was not ignored.

Mouthfeel: Thick and creamy.

Drinkability: I bought a 4 pack of this ($9!). Tastewise, I could easily drink the whole thing in one sitting.

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2004 22:50:51 | More by thinkbreakfast

Benjamin

Massachusetts

4.08/5  rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

The Aprihop beer pours orange with a faint red hue much like the color of its namesake the apricot. This beer is slightly cloudy when first poured but clears as it warms. The nose is of alcohol, subtle fruit, and hops that meld in their aroma's. The mouthfeel is very soft, flowing to the coarse hop taste that is probably of the citrusy Northwest varities then followed an apricot fruit taste. Aprihop finishes like an IPA with a crisp dryness from the hops. I would definitely say this is more like an IPA than a fruit beer, but of course it is a hybrid. Very unique and worth a try if you like other Dogfishhead products or are looking for a twist on a traditional IPA.

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2004 01:04:03 | More by Benjamin

marc77

California

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

Lightly hazed deep amber hue. Thin, but well retained foam collar yields dense sheets of lace. Combination of ripe, pungent apricot and medium lovibond caramel lends an upfront nectar like sweetness in aroma. Vague tangerine like hop bouquet. In flavor, pervasive are rather juicy apricot flesh tones, although hop bitterness assuages fruit sweetness. Hop flavor is expectedly orange like and rather complementary, but discernibly secondary to apricot. As the beer warms, lightly sugared biscuit notes arise and add depth to both fruit overtones and residual sweetness. Full bodied and agreeably viscous in mouthfeel, not unlike peach syrup. Finishes with a thick caramel and dextrin malt wash yielding to a continuation of whole apricot, skin included. A unique, well executed brew. Well balanced in terms of fruit flavor, hop bitterness and malt backbone. Rather heavy on the palate eventually, but is a welcome change of pace from fruit brews with vapid character. A touch more assertive hop flavor would've completed this one.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2004 23:11:29 | More by marc77

ZAP

Minnesota

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

I really like this brewery and this is another exaple of why...pushing the envelope at all times...nice tasty English Style IPA...the Apricot is very subtle on both the nose and the taste...the slight Apricot flavor actually seems to blend nicely with the hops they selected...Not a super hopped up beer but a nice hop flavor and tight dry finish...worth trying and solid all the way around...firm body...big creamy head...nice beer

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2004 04:40:43 | More by ZAP