Hoppy Lovin' Christmas - Mikkeller ApS

beerhan

Ohio

4/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

750 ml bottle poured into a snifter (3 times)

A-Huge and I mean huge foamy white head that leaves a massive lacing on the glass. Dark orange body with some bubbles.

S-Resinny orange with some pine and cinnamon.

T-lots of ginger up front actually but very mellow. It stands out enough that it is felt. Lemon and orange peel as well as that resin taste. I am remind of a combination between a belgian wit and a west coast ipa. There is also a sweet grape after taste.

M-Just perfect carbonation. Very creamy and drinkable and not overwhelmingly spicy.

O-Very nice take on an IPA, it is rare that I find a good christmas beer but this one ranks high among them. Drinkable enough that I did not split this 750.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2011 06:26:04 | More by beerhan

DCon

Missouri

4.03/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bought a 1 PT 9.4 FL OZ bottle of this from Flamingo Bowl in St. Louis, MO for $17. Poured from the Red/Green labeled bottle w/ men feeding deer mistletoe (added the pic! Artwork by: Keith Shore) into a 16oz Tulip Glass. Does not have a Freshness Date but not worried b/c I know this just got released and is fresh.

Aroma- Citrus and pine come out HUGE in this one! The fruit and hops are perfect in here and also seems there is some sweetness hanging in the background.

Appearance- Pours a 3.5 finger head that lasts for an incredible amount of time! The body color is a medium orange/copper with a bit of hazing behind it. Leaves thick lacing behind.

Flavor- The initial flavor isn't hops actually... There is a slight ginger taste and then breaks into a pine needle/huge floral flavor. THEN the hops come in with light citrus and grassy with sweetness. Has a medium-high hop bitterness, so isn't anything to mess around with.

Mouthfeel- Medium-Full Bodied, Medium-High Carbonation, Smooth, and has a good fruity/sweet finish. Bit of hops are left as well.

Overall Impression- What a perfect holiday gift to a friend or family! This 2X IPA is packed with an awesome array of character. Starts with ginger, nice hops, pine needle definitely, and then finishes sweet but still is packed with a punch. Tough to turn those on to this brew if not a fan of hops, but they'll get used to it! Serve it in a fancy glass, present to bottle appropriately, and they will be won over immediately. "Oh, maybe hops ARE a nice ingredient in beer!".

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2011 04:59:12 | More by DCon

mulder1010

Australia

3.7/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

330 ML poured into a CCB snifter

A-- Poured a hazy straw orange color. Big, fluffy, one finger of white head. Head fades pretty quickly leaving a solid looking ring of soapy lacing. Looks a bit better on swirling.

S-- Mostly citrus. Faint at start but builds well. Orange, grapefruit, and lemon. Very little malt backbone detected.

T-- Lots of grapefruit and orange. Quite pungent. Not a lot of sweetness in this at all.

M-- Started of dry and became quite oily. Little bit sweeter in the feel. Well balanced beer though more hop forward . Lower carbonation and somewhat heavy feel.

O-- To me more of an IPA than a DIPA. Good beer either way. Nose is not that aromatic but it makes up for it in the taste and feel. Good Christmas seasonal. Perfect for this climate and a Christmas at the beach.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2011 14:26:57 | More by mulder1010

dgilks

Australia

4/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Slightly cloudy golden colour with a big, creamy, fluffy, off-white head. Good head retention and great lacing.

Bright citrus with some more resinous, dank, tropical fruit notes as well. Fairly sweet but not overly malty. Very nice.

Nice balance of slightly sweet malt and fruity, tropical New Zealand hops. The mango, pawpaw, passionfruit and guava notes are all nice. Moderately bitter but the malt takes care of most of it. Quite nice really.

Medium body with moderately-high carbonation. Good.

A nice IPA with plenty of hops and a good idea from Mikkeller. I really appreciate the idea of a hoppy, light and fresh Christmas beer rather than the same old combination of Strong ale whether it be English, American or Belgian.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2011 08:50:24 | More by dgilks

ADZA

Australia

4/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-Pours a hazy mandarin hue which leaves a two finger head and heaps of clingy lacing.

S-Citrus,cinamon,orange peel,a touch of candy and piney hops.

T-Pineapple,mangoes,orange peel,sweet cinamon,soft candy,sherbet and finished with a bittersweet finish of piney hops and candy.

M-Medium bodied and creamy which suits perfectly.

O-Its nice,easy and very drinkable with its bitterness counteracted by the sugary sweetness with the high ABV well hidden and i could drink alot of cheers.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2011 13:26:03 | More by ADZA