Hop Abomination - Dry Dock Brewing Co.

russpowell

Oklahoma

3.81/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Cheers to SteveO fo this one!

Pours a hazed apricot with a thumb of cream colored head. Good lacing & above average head retention

S: Pine & faint breadyness, plus orchard fruit

T: Pine, lemons, breadyness & pears up front. Some peppery & woody hops, a kiss of caramel & dryness as this warms, plus some grapefruit. Finishes dry, fruitty with grapefruit & woody hops

MF: Medium bodied, slight carbonation, good balance

A pretty good AIPA, was hoping for better from these guys

Serving type: can

05-22-2013 02:36:59 | More by russpowell

BucannonXC5

California

3.68/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Type: 12-oz. can
Glass: Hotel glass (half pint, half snifter)
From: Wilbur’s Total Beverage in Fort Collins, Colo.
Price: Part of a variety 6-pack for $9.99
Purchased: May 2, 2013
Consumed: May 2, 2013
Misc.: N/A

Poured a caramel hazy color with two fingers of gray bubbly head. Average lacing on the side, a bit disappointing actually. Average retention on the way down as well.

Smelled tons of hops up front. Grapefruit dominates here, but floral hops come in to mix it up. Also some orange rind, tropical notes and some spices. All leaves a lasting dry bitter finish.

Taste didn’t quite live up to the smell. Got grapefruit, but not the best grapefruit I’ve ever tasted. Very dry hops. Still orange rind. Tropical hops are still noticeable, while the floral hops become less powerful. Still very bitter, although it comes in rather late. Those are still pronounced as well, but I couldn’t put my finger on them. Some buttery notes as well.

Light body. Oily texture. Average carbonation. Refreshing, slightly bitter finish. Soft carbonation. Long, bitter, watery finish.

I had higher expectations for this beer. The smell was the best part by far, the rest was just above average.

Serving type: can

05-04-2013 04:32:14 | More by BucannonXC5

hoppytobehere

Colorado

4.08/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12 oz. can, not dated as far as I can tell.

A: Bright copper color, cloudy. Some floaties. Great head and sticky lacing.

S: Nice hop aroma. I smell something resembling Summit hops, but I could be wrong.

T: Grassy, citrusy hops. Nice bitterness that isn't too overwhelming. On the end, there's a touch of malt that works nicely.

M: Could use a little more carbonation. Otherwise, fine.

O: Not a bad local IPA. Definitely above par. I'll pick this one up again.

Serving type: can

04-19-2013 23:39:22 | More by hoppytobehere

iSip

Colorado

4.13/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Dry Dock Hop Abomination: The first thing you will notice is that this beer is opaque, like solidified honey. The head is thin and carbonation non-existent. It looks very much like a home brew or real micro-micro brew. The aroma is fantastic, very fruity. The flavor is not what you would expect from a Hop Abomination. It is very smooth, very flavorful in a hop flowery way with many, many notes, and not at all bitter or dry. The finish you could call wet. This will not become my go to IPA, but it is a great beer on the occasion that you want something a little different. Show this one off to your hop buddies.

Serving type: can

04-16-2013 18:19:50 | More by iSip

BEERchitect

Kentucky

3.78/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

With the "citra" this and a "galaxy" that- it seems that American IPAs are trending toward the captivating tropical and citrus character in aroma and taste predominantly. But other American IPAs stay true to their origins with deeply bitter, piney and resinous ales- yea, this is one of those.

After just a few drinks, the strong lacing power sends orbits of lace around the glass. Underneath, an ominous amber-bronze color emerges- rusty with its haze, the beer continues to brag with its creamy off white foam and confident retention

Hop dominant aroma are lead by pine cones, fresh-cut grass, woody stems and twigs, lemony sassafras, earthy chives, catty tones, and afterwards a pithy citrus scent. Background malt compounds of toasty bread crust and singed grains only hint toward the sweetness of dry burnt sugar.

A mild dry sorghum sweetness soothes the taste buds early- just before the onslaught of hops strike, bringing the taste of perfumy lemony woods, fresh cut grass, pine spa, botanical chi herbs, and even a whiff of cannabis just before the beer turns to throat gripping bitterness to finish. of barley and tea. Hop dominance grows- perfumy wood, fresh grass, pine, herbs, chives, sassafras, pepper.

Medium bodied, its light creamy carbonation is soon driven off by hops- leaving behind a malty-dry ale that is aided by hop dryness, alcohol, and an astringent bite in the back of the throat like overcooked tea leaves and stemmy hops.

Before the ultra citrusy hops, before the smoother alpha hops, before hop aroma was preferred to flavor- these were the beers- they were grassy, bitey, bitter, and unapologetic. This is one of those examples. You have got to want the dominance of that palate to ensue in order to truly enjoy a bitter like this.

Serving type: can

03-29-2013 05:34:01 | More by BEERchitect

Jparker37

Wisconsin

3.68/5  rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

12oz can poured into a pint glass.

S - Pine, mango, sweet tangerines, faint catty resin.

A - Medium sized light tan head holds a cap of rocky foam. Very hazy and a pretty dark amber. Spotty lacing.

T - Loaded with toasty malt early and most of the way through. Citrus hop flavors play the largest role in balancing. There's also a level of earthiness in there. Finishes with a little spicy blend of hops and alcohol.

M - Medium to medium-full body, medium-light carbonation, semi-dry.

O - Wish I could gather more of this IPA. To my preference, I like an IPA with a sturdy backbone and this one is maybe a little too malty. I liked the unfiltered look, even some hop debris floating.

Serving type: can

03-23-2013 03:39:08 | More by Jparker37

mastodonj

Colorado

4.36/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

For me, this brew is mostly about the aroma. A great citrus, floral nose.

As others mentioned, it is cloudy, medium amber with very elongated but thin lacing.

Smell has the most distinctive grapefruit but is not overpowering. Backed up with some caramel.

Tastes like a west coast IPA, plenty of fresh hop offset with a touch of malt. Bitter only on the exhale. Nice....

Very sessionable. For some reason, I've avoided this brewery; maybe because of the pointless name. But no more, I'll start checking them out after tasting this.

Serving type: can

03-21-2013 00:29:15 | More by mastodonj

DenverLogan

Colorado

4.53/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Listed as 6.5% with 100 IBUs, making is less in alcohol but more in IBUs than their double IPA.
Copper - amber color with significant head.
Big hop aroma...grapefruit and pine.
Big carbonation and mouthfeel.
Strong hop and malt flavors, but nicely balanced. Sweet amber malts, powder sugar, pine hops, slight red grapefruit. Rich and cream, bold and delicious...I think I prefer this to the (formerly called Seven Seas) double IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

03-19-2013 03:44:23 | More by DenverLogan

katan

Colorado

4.46/5  rDev +14.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

12oz can into a pint

A - Pours a deep dark orange color, very opaque. Lots of white head formation.

S - Extremely strong hop aroma, lots of piney notes and some citrus. The dry hopping in this beer had to be incredible.

T - Starts off lightly sweet, just a hint of malts when a big hit of citrus hopping comes in. Orange dominates. TUrns a little more piney and bitter in the mid-stream, bringing it into balance. Finishes with a little more sweetness or citrus hops and malts.

M - Creamy body, matching carbonation, A little sticky and oily in the finish. No alcohol warmth.

O/D - A very good IPA - incredibly strong hop aroma and flavor which really takes over the beer. ABV is manageable. Not filling.

Serving type: can

02-16-2013 18:50:14 | More by katan

ajd413

Colorado

3/5  rDev -23.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

I admit I love hazy beers and this is one! Poured can into tulip glass. Slight whitish head that faded quickly. Appearance is deep golden color with a nice haze to it. Smell is nice and citrusy but nothing special-just like a standard IPA. Taste was not perfect, with a bit of diacetal that seemed to get worse (or I couldn't stop thinking about it). Not a bad IPA but I would not buy a six pack of it either.

Serving type: can

02-14-2013 01:07:32 | More by ajd413

chugalug06

Colorado

3.16/5  rDev -19.2%
look: 1.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.25

Looks bad, foggy, murky, swampy, red-brown. Lt. yellow foamy head. No lacing.

Weak apricot, pineapple, and orange. Very light.

Tea, light, mild IPA flavors, not much bitterness, sweetness is also mild... A bit weak. Nice carbonation.

Not sure if this one if recommendable.. Not Dry Docks best work. I see improvements come to this one.

Serving type: can

02-07-2013 01:23:43 | More by chugalug06

denver10

Colorado

2.79/5  rDev -28.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Pours a hazy caramel golden with a cream colored head and a little lacing. A nice aroma billing some sweet, bready malts alongside some juicy tropical fruits.Flavor has bready underbelly alongside the fruits from the aroma and florals. The fruit and floral seems to be competing for space and the florals winning, kinda diminishing the fruits in the flavor unfortunately. Some bitterness. The flavor is messy and doesn't come close to delivering like the aroma suggested it might. In fact the promise of the aroma makes the flavor that much more disapointing. A medium bodied, active mouthfeel. Overall, disappointing given my expectations based upon the greatness of their IIPA. Drinking one was not a problem but it is probably going to be a challenge to motivate myself to drink the rest of this sixer (and every subsequent can I drank ended up in a further dropping of my rating it turned out). Just not an a beer that I found enjoyable at all.

Serving type: can

02-02-2013 00:51:22 | More by denver10

Beaver13

Colorado

2.9/5  rDev -25.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

12 oz can. Pours a hazy amber tea color with a small white head that quickly goes to a thin film that leaves a little lacing.

The aroma is surprisingly muted - a little pine and tropical fruit.

The flavor is sweet caramel biscuity malt with a decent amount of bitterness in the finish. It's not very flavorful hoppiness though - a touch of fruit and some pine. The mouthfeel is medium bodied and pretty watery.

Overall, a bit of a disappointment given their DIPA.

Serving type: can

01-31-2013 04:42:00 | More by Beaver13

GilGarp

Colorado

4.38/5  rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served cold in a pint glass at the brewery.

Hop Abomination 9 is a hazy copper color with thin white head. It leaves behind a nice layer of lace as it settles.

Aroma is super hoppy and fresh with big citrus, especially grapefruit.

Flavor is very intensely hoppy but not overpoweringly bitter. Pale malt base with a little caramel provides the backbone for a huge hit of fresh dank hops.

Mouthfeel is medium light bodied and perfectly carbonated.

Overall an excellent extra IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

12-06-2012 22:42:23 | More by GilGarp

tylerprince

Colorado

3.58/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Tried on tap at Freshcraft in Denver. A bit disappointing.

Hazy copper with a one finger off-white head. Poor retention but great lacing. Looks oily and thick.

Smells like the typical DIPA, citrus and floral notes. Subtle grassy aromas and a thick, biscuity malt.

Citrus with hints of pine. Wrecked by a thick, skunky malt - biscuity and caramel qualities, hints of tobacco. Finished more like a weak brown ale than like an IPA.

Way too thick and a bit undercarbonated. Far from sessionable; I felt full after half a pint. Oily, syrupy and sticky.

I won't be trying this IPA/borderline IIPA again. While Dry Dock is a fairly popular brewery, this beer lives up to part of its name - just take the "hop" out of "Hop Abomination."

Serving type: on-tap

06-29-2012 19:45:59 | More by tylerprince

Mebuzzard

Colorado

3.83/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Hops. Ok, I'll bite.

A recipe from the new head brewer, Doug...so I'm told. Let's drink!

Orange golden pour, clear. Looks bright and a bit oily. Must be from the Amarillo and Nugget hops packed in there.

Aroma is hoppy, sure enough. Fruity, estery, tropical, and zesty. A bit of mineralnessness or something that gives it an earthy sense. Malt is defeated here.

And malt is overwhelmed in the flavors. I would say this is a double IPA, the abv on this one is above 7% and the malt is gone. Perhaps some sweet biscuit...perhaps. But the hops take the cake. Citrus and orangey. The end threw me off a bit. Seemed buttery and diacetyl-y on the end. That cut into the overall and the mouthfeel as well. Not sure what was going on for this.

Serving type: on-tap

01-22-2012 01:07:41 | More by Mebuzzard

StoneTSR

Colorado

4.47/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Bought this growler three days ago at the brewery. I am pretty sure that this version was 8.5% rather than 6.5%, but someone might have to verify that for me.

APPEARANCE: A thin, quarter-inch thick head capped the beer when poured from the growler and remained there seven minutes later after I cut up some prosciutto and sharp white cheddar to serve with crackers and my beer. That head didn’t move. The beer itself is brilliant and orangei-ish gold with a smattering of bubbles slowly rising from the bottom. By the way, the lacing is outstanding. I must have some clean glassware!

SMELL: The aroma is delightfully floral. It is piney, smells like it will be a rich flavored and resinous beer as well. This is classic, delicious, big IPA smell.

TASTE: The nose does not let down the palate in this one. Some strong, sweet and floral aromas are up front while that resinous pine from the nose fills the middle of the sip. On the end, a gorgeous and fairly bitter grapefruit takes control leaving a nice set up for the sweetness of the next sip.

MOUTHFEEL: This is a big, full, bold DIPA with a slightly creamy feel that only lightly tickles the palate on the way down.

OVERALL: After tasting many of the Dry Dock offerings at the brewery last weekend, my girlfriend and I settled on the Hop Abomination as one of our two growler fills. In my opinion this was their finest current work of beer. Get it while you can, especially at $12 a growler.

Serving type: growler

01-17-2012 10:35:06 | More by StoneTSR

ArrogantB

Colorado

3.15/5  rDev -19.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

This was a Hop Abomination #3, not sure what differentiates it from #1 or #2. I had a quick sample of this and it seemed pretty good but when I got home and poured the growler I was a little disappointed. Nice orange color. Smells slightly hoppy, fruity but also like caramel? The taste had a distinct caramel and butter flavor layered over the hops and I just did not like it. It wasn't bad at all but I'll need to try this again just to verify that it is not a very good IPA. It sucks because I recently had a very fresh bottle of the DIPA and that was good.

Serving type: growler

01-16-2012 01:54:29 | More by ArrogantB

emmasdad

Colorado

3.55/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Hops and Pies poured a clear golden amber with a lasting amber head. Aromas of biscuit, skunk bud, orange, tropical fruit and a hint of pine. Palate was medium bodied and smooth with a dry finish. Flavors of biscuit, grapefruit, orange zest and light tropical fruit with a smooth dry lingering bitter grapefruit finish.

Serving type: on-tap

08-25-2011 20:31:30 | More by emmasdad

corby112

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Draft at the Rackhouse in Denver, CO.

Pours a cloudy golden orange color with lighter tangerine hues and a one finger white head that quickly settles into a lasting ring.  Sporadic lace left behind.  

Sweet citrus hop aroma that's slightly earthy and resinous, bursting with tropical and citrus fruit.  Hints of papaya, mango, pineapple, orange and lots of grapefruit.  Subtle pale grainy malt with hints of graham cracker and biscuit.

Medium bodied with a good balance of dry bitterness and sweet citrus/tropical fruit notes.  Subtle pine earthiness with lots of mango, tangerine, orange peel and grapefruit.  Grainy pale malt backbone provides good balance without overpowering the hops.  Very quaffable.

Serving type: on-tap

06-21-2011 05:55:44 | More by corby112

Domingo

Colorado

4.05/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This is from the taproom, although I’ve also had this at the Rackhouse Pub. Perhaps it might end up being a new regular item? The chalkboards in the taproom claim this has an insane 250K IBU’s. I’m assuming this is either a joke or refers to the weird “theoretical” IBU count that can go to a million.
Oddly, the ABV’s only 6.5%, so it’s on the upper end of a normal IPA, but probably not strong enough to be a double. Fine by me!
Anyway – this one’s is a shade or two lighter than copper. Head’s a standard 1/4” sheen for a draft beer. Lace rings are there as you work your way down.
The flavor profile has huge pine and citrus rind notes throughout. Grapefruit is one of the primary notes, but there’s also a hint of dank/cannabis flavor in the finish. That isn’t my favorite flavor note, but it does work here and it never heads into “swampy” territory either. Not the most bitter beer I’ve ever had on the palate, but it’s about as hop-centric as a beer can get. A little bit of malt creeps in here and there, but it’s really only there in tiny doses.
There isn’t much heat on this at only 6.5% ABV, which makes it pretty drinkable…but not for the faint of heart or for anyone who isn’t a serious hop lover. There isn’t much of a malt base or booziness to hold the hops back, so they run wild. I’ve had this 3 times and I find that I drink the first 1/2 of the glass pretty quickly, but the last 1/2 lingers and becomes an inadvertent sipper.
I think this might be my favorite of the various hop monsters from Dry Dock. The hop blend works for me, and I like that it’s a bit milder. Plus, even with the crazy amount of hops, it never really has any harshness.

Serving type: on-tap

06-03-2011 15:02:06 | More by Domingo