Sierra Nevada Hoptimum Imperial IPA - Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

mechamifune

North Carolina

3.38/5  rDev -19.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Well, no Hopslam or Double Trouble yet, but lo and behold I have found Hoptimum to hold me over... or at least i'm assuming it will hold me over, as its awesome label reminds me of colonel quick-e-mart's kentucky bourbon from an early episode of the simpsons for some reason... but anyway, let's see....

Poured into a tulip, a light frothy white head develops and dissolves in short order. Nice golden color, completely clear.

Smell is like a pine punch in the face. Resiny, piney, with some slight notes of citrus. The taste is.... shockingly, almost exactly like the smell. No real malt presence to be found, just pure resiny hops over and over, some citrus notes rise up here and there.... but really bitterness through and through, and an incredibly bitter finish to boot.

Mouthfeel is probably the hight point, creamy and smooth but still crisp on the finish. A sticky resin remains with each finished sip, which I don't altogether mind.... its just so friggin bitter.

As you might surmise from my constant notes on the bitterness, this is not an especially drinkable ipa (though to be fair, the high abv is well hidden). Not like drainpour undrinkable, but just too much to drink more than a pint of. I've had younger, elder, expo hoppiness, hopslam and plenty of other super hoppy beers, but this one just does not give you the fruit/citrus notes or any kind of sweetness to counter the pure hop bitterness. Will take a good deal of convincing for me to get it again.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2011 20:06:38 | More by mechamifune

nick_asian

Nevada

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

05-19-2013 06:54:23 | More by nick_asian

SedateSix

Washington

4.75/5  rDev +13.4%

05-19-2013 05:43:00 | More by SedateSix

RobinLee

Wisconsin

4.5/5  rDev +7.4%

05-19-2013 04:33:15 | More by RobinLee

PatrickBeebe

Florida

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

05-19-2013 03:45:42 | More by PatrickBeebe

Duesler

Connecticut

3.75/5  rDev -10.5%

05-19-2013 03:28:12 | More by Duesler

redliner8

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +13.4%

05-19-2013 02:57:42 | More by redliner8

SigEp271

Virginia

4.79/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Appearance - Nice golden appearance with very little head.

Smell - Smells how a true IPA should. You get a nose full of hop, which I think it centennial

Taste - Right off the bat you get hit with hops. If you can imagine a hop literally slapping you in the face, that pretty much explains it. Nice after taste and as the beer starts to warm you get different flavor characteristics. For a 100 IBU this is very impressive, loved DFH 120 IPA and this is much more affordable and is just as equally impressive.

Mouthfeel - Crisp taste with a nice long after taste. With the IPA had a little bit more depth, but wonderful beer.

Overall - Great IPA. Normally hate Sierra Nevada but had to try this. Well worth it

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 01:19:24 | More by SigEp271

mtalley999

Maryland

4.5/5  rDev +7.4%

05-19-2013 00:49:54 | More by mtalley999

kjfinnerty

Massachusetts

4.75/5  rDev +13.4%

05-19-2013 00:43:59 | More by kjfinnerty

HedleyLamar

California

4.63/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

WOW! This is amazing beer! Sierra Nevada was one of the first Pale Ales that I had ever tried years ago when craft brew were gaining popularity. This beer is full of flavor and it packs a strong punch with a high alcohol content. If you have not had this one, give it a try.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 00:23:12 | More by HedleyLamar

Shogun730

California

4/5  rDev -4.5%

05-19-2013 00:17:22 | More by Shogun730

afrokaze

California

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%

05-18-2013 22:09:52 | More by afrokaze

bluestar0828

Virginia

4.75/5  rDev +13.4%

05-18-2013 21:09:52 | More by bluestar0828

Phacoman

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +7.4%

05-18-2013 20:59:27 | More by Phacoman

JArena13

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +7.4%

05-18-2013 20:51:22 | More by JArena13

DenverHopHead

Colorado

4.5/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I've been overlooking Sierra Nevada. I'll have a SN Pale Ale at a wedding reception or at an everyday bar just because it's so established, but never seek them out. As my love of Cali IPA's grow, I decided to give Torpedo a go again and loved it. Never had Hoptimum, but as soon as I finished off Torpedo, I put it on my must have list. I dare you to find much fault here. Pick up a 4 pack at just $8 (here in CO), it's a steal!

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 20:30:08 | More by DenverHopHead

HopLuva

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +7.4%

05-18-2013 20:16:08 | More by HopLuva

jbarletto

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +7.4%

05-18-2013 15:04:03 | More by jbarletto

tswater

Colorado

4.5/5  rDev +7.4%

05-18-2013 14:17:27 | More by tswater

Hobo

Kentucky

4/5  rDev -4.5%

05-18-2013 12:32:13 | More by Hobo

megamass

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +7.4%

05-18-2013 05:54:59 | More by megamass

Joey1566

Minnesota

4/5  rDev -4.5%

05-18-2013 02:47:22 | More by Joey1566

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

4.26/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Poured from 12oz bottle into HF tulip. Purchased single at Total Wine in Norwalk, CT for $2.50. Pours an amber orange with sticky lacing but not much head - but can be expected for such a big ABV. Nice resinous pine and bready malt aroma...some sweetness. Taste is fantastic. Sweet piney bready...wow really amazing. Its so smooth for the abv..I mean scary smooth. Its almost a chugger. Its rare to come across a beer that is so smooth at such a high abv. Really a fantastic DIPA/strong ale. Serious deal for this brew at $2.50!!! I recommend this for anyone looking for a great amazing hop flavor without a huge mouth puckering bitterness...

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 02:34:51 | More by DrinkSlurm

beertardis

Rhode Island

4/5  rDev -4.5%

05-18-2013 01:46:04 | More by beertardis