Hop Burn Low - Mikkeller ApS

mfnmbvp

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

11.2 oz. bottle, no apparent bottled on date present but the stamp on the cap says 9131112. It took me a minute to actually figure out which version of this beer I had acquired, but I've got it figured out now. My artwork is different than the bottle pictured, and says Hop Burn Double Imperial Pale Lager. Anyway, stoked to have found a bottle of this. Poured into a Boulevard tulip.

A - Pours your standard light burnt sienna orange color with a fluffy finger and a half of head with some nice retention. Some bubbles lazily rushing up the sides to the top signifying it's carbonation. Decent lacing.

S - The usual array of fresh hop resins and citrus / pine notes coming in. Grapefruit. Has all the makings of a good IPA so far, for being an "imperial pale lager". Light malts really only become apparent to me after the head has died and the beer has warmed a bit.

T - Pungent, fruity hop bite is firmly in the foreground, followed with a very bitter finish which seems to linger in the back of your mouth. Definitely has a spicy hotness from this beers nice 10% abv and gratuitous hop resins, but it isn't overwhelming. A little bit carbonated in the finish.

M - A nice sticky hoppy resinous aftertaste. Warmth from the alcohol is pleasant enough (which obviously lives up to it's name Hop Burn), and there is a little bit of a green apple / sweetness aftertaste of some type, but not really distinguishable from any other imperial IPA out there. Definitely a true hop lover's beer, although quite a bit overpriced.

Overall, a very pleasant hoppy experience, and I did enjoy this beer, but I can't say it was worth the $6.50 I paid for it, and you could probably get your burning hop fix satisfied from elsewhere, for cheaper. Although, I am glad I managed to pick a bottle up while I had the chance.

Mikkeller Hop Burn Low ---3.5/5

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2013 01:18:25 | More by mfnmbvp

DrunkinYogi

Connecticut

4/5  rDev +2.6%

04-27-2013 12:04:28 | More by DrunkinYogi

Paonz

Hawaii

4.25/5  rDev +9%

04-17-2013 05:28:25 | More by Paonz

SmellsofMahagony

Texas

3.5/5  rDev -10.3%

03-27-2013 02:52:52 | More by SmellsofMahagony

BuddyE

Louisiana

3.5/5  rDev -10.3%

03-19-2013 03:54:38 | More by BuddyE

JohnQVD

New York

3.99/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a slightly clouded bronze with a thin head that quickly dissipates back to leave light lacing on the glass. Nose is of licorice, light spice and chocolate. Surprising chocolate notes abound in the taste as well, along with lemon peel and a spicy burn. Aftertaste is heavily bitter with some pine resin. Mouthfeel is substantial, with some liveliness from the light carbonation.

I have no idea how old this is. It tastes fresher than the Mikkeller single hop IPAs I bought at the same time. The bottle artwork is different than pictured, so this may have been brewed a second time.

Overall, this is quite drinkable, with the hops giving it a good bitterness but without being overpowering. I was expecting something more overwhelming and while there is some good hop and alcohol burniness here, there is still some maltiness present. I would drink this again if it wasn't six dollars a bottle.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2013 01:48:41 | More by JohnQVD

ngeunit1

California

4.16/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Hazy copper-orange with a finger of frothy off-white head. Fades normal.

S - Sweet pilsner, grainy, and lightly caramel malts, grapefruit, tropical, citrus, pine, and grassy hops, some lager yeast, and a bit of booze.

T - Grapefruit, tropical, orange, citrus, pine, and grassy hops, lots of resiny bitterness, sweet pilsner, pilsner, bready, and light caramel malts, lager yeast, and some booze.

M - Full-minus bodied with moderate carbonation. Smooth with a dry, bitter, warming, and lightly sweet finish.

D - Nice hoppy imperial pilsner. Nice hop profile and bitterness throughout.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2013 05:46:03 | More by ngeunit1

schnarr84

Alberta (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev +9%

01-20-2013 19:15:52 | More by schnarr84

SnatchyMcPants

Indiana

4.75/5  rDev +21.8%

01-16-2013 00:49:18 | More by SnatchyMcPants

UltimateLivewire

South Carolina

4/5  rDev +2.6%

01-13-2013 03:37:16 | More by UltimateLivewire

AgentMunky

Alabama

4.2/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 33cL bottle into a brandy snifter. Cap stamped 9131112.

A: No head tops this clearish amber ale. Sticky lace.

S: Mmmm, delicious. Hop cones dripping with oil and tropical fruits. Sweet caramel malts and stern alcohol.

T/M: Herm. Intriguing. Loads of wet, fruity hops, but the lager yeast gives it an contrapuntal dryness and tang that is somewhat disconcerting. That said, the more I drink, the more I like it. The strength is hidden well, and this tastes for all the world like a extra-juicy pale ale. There is a tinge of odd bitterness or yeastiness that I dislike, but this fades to be replaced by grapefruit peel and a lingering acidity.

O: Not so obviously delicious as Hop Burn High, but subtler and more interesting. I like this series (duo?) a lot and would highly recommend the pair.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2012 03:39:05 | More by AgentMunky

dooglas

Florida

3/5  rDev -23.1%

11-30-2012 20:13:07 | More by dooglas

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.95/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottle: Poured a cloudy beige color lager with a large foamy head with good retention and some lacing. Aroma of dry and citrusy hops is dominant with dry caramel malt base quite discreet. Taste is also dominated by herbal hops notes with quite dry notes and a medium citrusy finish. Body is quite full with good carbonation and no apparent alcohol. The description is spot on with hops being the dominant flavour and honestly I could not have known that this was lager if it wasn’t for the label.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2012 13:32:39 | More by Phyl21ca

kojevergas

California

2.98/5  rDev -23.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 3.5

11.2 fl oz brown glass bottle with standard pressure cap acquired at KnB wines near San Diego for $5.99 and served into a Uinta pilsner glass in me gaff in low altitude Los Feliz, California. I had Hop Burn High but don't remember how I felt about it. Mikkeller is my favourite brewery in the world so expectations are high, but then again his brighter beers tend to be mundane compared to his darker ones. 10% ABV confirmed. Imported by the Shelton Bastards.

Served refrigerator cold. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

My label differs from that on the site currently. It depicts a hop in a pan over a hob stove burner.

Paired with pretzels.

Pours without beer upsurging or any other issues.

A: Pours a 2.5 finger light khaki colour head of some nice cream, pretty good thickness, and very good retention considering the high ABV. It retains fora good three minutes at least. Lacing is poor. Body colour is a bright hazy copper hold; nontransparent but non-opaque. No yeast particles are visible. No bubble show. Par for the style, but there's nothing unique or special about it.

Sm: Heavy oily hops. Pine, some floral character, light citrus (grapefruit, if anything). Heavy butterscotch; in fact butterscotch is overwhelmingly dominant. I don't suspect diacetyl. It's a pleasant aroma. Moderate to strong. No yeast or alcohol is detectable.

T/Mf: Heavy heavy butterscotch. It's definitely dominant here. A very dry coarse finish bombs the mouthfeel, but in its early acts it's nicely smooth, wet, and even a bit creamy. I don't like the sudden change in texture, but it's consistently thick throughout yet light on the palate and almost refreshing (if not for that pesky finish). Some light oily hops, light pine, mild hop bitterness (well balanced and disguised), and floral character. Tropical hop flavour - maybe mango or even pineapple - is dominant among the hops. Very little hops come through for the style. Clean malts comprise the backbone. Maybe one of the least traditionally hoppy beers in the style I've had. No yeast or alcohol comes through - an achievement at this ABV. Not subtle or particularly complex, but unusual for the style.

I've never tasted butterscotch so much in a beer. There're even hints of butter pecan ice cream.

Dr: I guess I like it; I just despise the third act. If it kept its course through the end, it'd be much better (and much more drinkable). As it stands, it's notable for hiding its alcohol quite well. But I wouldn't want another one of these; it's going to be rough finishing the bottle quickly. Dries my mouth out so much. I wouldn't get this again, but as far as Mikkel's IPAs go, this one isn't bad.

C

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2012 04:55:55 | More by kojevergas

runner_conor

4.5/5  rDev +15.4%

10-14-2012 22:37:21 | More by runner_conor

pixieskid

France

3/5  rDev -23.1%

10-12-2012 14:49:35 | More by pixieskid

CoryR

Oregon

3.75/5  rDev -3.8%

09-29-2012 18:01:15 | More by CoryR

liamt07

Ontario (Canada)

3.75/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle from wordemupg, 330ml into a tulip. Holdbar til 04/04/16.

Slightly darker orange, unfiltered with a finger or two of white head. Nose has some pungent citrus, big caramel malt character and a smidgen of pils malt. Slightly spicy hops, and a touch of alcohol. Taste has a load of sweet, caramelly malt. Bitter citrus hopping and slight pils malt. Bitter, spicy and drying finish. A little more alcohol. A big beer, perhaps more than I bargained for this eve - almost like an American style BW. Interesting nonetheless, and a style tick.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2012 01:15:05 | More by liamt07

CrazyDavros

Australia

3.53/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours light amber with a small head.
Nose shows juicy tropical fruits, grapefruit and floral notes.
Also some clean malt and caramel.
Flavours include piny notes, alcohol, some soft tropical fruit. Seems a little harsh, especially in the finish.
Too much carbonation.

Serving type: on-tap

09-27-2012 02:49:52 | More by CrazyDavros

AgentZero

Illinois

2.25/5  rDev -42.3%

09-23-2012 03:15:53 | More by AgentZero

jessicapreuss

Brazil

4.5/5  rDev +15.4%

09-19-2012 17:17:00 | More by jessicapreuss

wordemupg

Alberta (Canada)

4.05/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

330ml bottle poured into tulip 13/9/12

A hazed orange copper with a few little chunks floating around, a few bubbles and just a thin cream colored cap that falls to a thin film but manages too leave lots of random lace

S smells of sweet caramels and fruit, there's some citric rind but I can't pinpoint it, reminds me of a fresh barley wine

T candied mango and pineapple with some pine and a little booze, fairly sweet with lots of caramels, there's some earthy notes playing a small part

M almost full bodied with a nice bitter bite and just a little grit, sticky and very smooth for a 10%er not much heat at all, I think I might need dental floss to get the flavor out, I'll be tasting this tomorrow

O pretty solid stuff, big hoppy monster that could hurt you if you let it, very easy too drink considering the strength be careful boys and girls

I might sit on one of these and see how a few years treats it, as a young beer it already reminds me of a Barley wine and I see some aging potential with this one

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2012 23:04:55 | More by wordemupg

JustinMatthew

Pennsylvania

2.5/5  rDev -35.9%

09-12-2012 18:37:27 | More by JustinMatthew

OGkushington

3.75/5  rDev -3.8%

09-10-2012 00:39:06 | More by OGkushington

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

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

330ml bottle - craggy, low-rent label imagery, reminiscent of local punk show posters.

This beer pours a cloudy pale golden amber hue, with two fingers of dense, bubbly, foamy dirty beige head, which leaves a consistent, awesome honeycomb pattern of lace around the glass as it slowly abates.

It smells of bitter citrus rind, sweet grainy pale malt, a subtle caramel/toffee sugary character, some herbal, grassy hops, and a bit of edgy booziness. The taste is rather bitter, astringent pine and citrus hops, bready, grainy malt, with a touch of caramel, some herbal, grassy notes, a bit of mineral steeliness, and a softly threatening alcohol tendency.

The bubbles, they be smart, and generally on the down low, the body a slightly askew medium weight, and smooth, if your idea of a hot tub is north of 100. It finishes well off-dry, as the overwrought malt holds fast, barely outpacing those stubborn outsourced hops, seemingly stolen from the local IPA, all keeping their head above that pool of simmering booze.

One of the strangely more agreeable versions of the style, the grand uptick in hopitude perhaps distracting me from the normal alcohol heat problems that I normally seem so pissy about. Anyways, this is verily a DIPA, but without the big caramel sweetness, for which you apparently have to switch over to the Hop Burn High to experience. I have, and it's a somewhat more full-on affair, I have to say, but one which should take very little away from this particular incarnation, which has much to offer all on its own.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2012 05:39:12 | More by biboergosum