Sierra Nevada Hoptimum Imperial IPA - Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

seanwilson530

California

3.7/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Ok, so here goes another review. I felt this one needed a review just because it's a relatively low score for such a great brewing company. C'mon, it's Sierra Nevada, one of the grand daddy's of them all! I feel like there was just to much push to have a lot of hops in this beer and it wasn't designed properly with the style.

Appearance: Obviously good, it comes from Sierra Nevada and they know what they are doing. Polished for a high lupulin resin beer. Good carbonation.

Smell: A blend of citrus and earthy hops. Not as pronounced as other DIPA's that I like though.

Taste: Here is where the beer fell short for me. Overly bitter. The beauty of DIPA's is to have the hops shine through from the flavor and aroma, in my humble opinion. This beer was excessively bitter. More late kettle additons and less high alpha acid hops, again in my humble opinion.

Mouthfeel: Mouthfeel was also lacking as I felt my jaw cringe from the hop bitterness. Not balance enough with the malt sweetness to offset the ever present harsh bitterness.

Overall: Not my favorite beer from Sierra Nevada. Might have to try it again to see if it changes my mind.

Serving type: on-tap

04-18-2013 23:21:11 | More by seanwilson530

claspada

New Jersey

3.86/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

From notes, pours a clear golden color with a substantial white frothy head which recedes to leave some solid lacing.

Aromas begin with tropical fruits, citrus and orange. Light crackery maltiness which smells sweeter as it warms.

The tastes follow the nose with some bitter citrus, lemon rind hoppiness up front and some lesser orange and pineapple in the background. The bitter citrus overwhems the more pleasant tropical fruit flavors.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied with moderate carbonation. FInish is quite hefty in the bitterness column with some spicy alcohol adding to the dryness.

Overall this a slight improvement to the Harvest, North and Southern Hempisphere Imperial IPAs but really doesn't shine about the everygrowing aroma forward DIPAs or even the more balanced ones. Increased bitterness and ABV just don't make a great DIPA in my opinion, they can make a good one, but the real stars have equal amounts aroma and bitterness or even more aroma than resiny astringent bitterness.

Serving type: on-tap

04-09-2013 19:07:50 | More by claspada

jhutch31

California

3.48/5  rDev -16.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

I guess we all have different pallates and mine usually loves big, hoppy beers. However, I was really disappointed with this beer. The appearance and aroma were great, but it fell on its face after the first sip. (atleast for me). Very bitter, not just in flavor but in the mouthfeel as well. My jaw started to cringe and cramp up, like when you eat a very sour lemon or sour candy. In my opinion, to many early hop additions and not enough mid to late hop additions to equal out the flavor to bitterness ratio. Again, I maybe way off compared to what others experienced, but I only got half of this beer down before sending it back. The ABV's were a litte high as well without enough malt character to mask the ethanol flavor. Maybe i'll try this one again and get a different experience.

Serving type: on-tap

02-27-2013 18:54:21 | More by jhutch31

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.73/5  rDev -11%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

First had: on tap at Monk's, Philly, PA

Served in a flared pils glass, a slightly hazy golden-amber color with a small foamy cap of white head that receded to a ringlet; bubbly carbonation visible. Herbal hop aroma, not too strong. Taste is a bit subdued for an imperial IPA, crisp herbal and piney hop bitterness, lightly toasted grains, biscuity hops. The weakness in flavor is made up for in the mouthfeel department; this is one drinkable beer, smooth and light on the tongue for the style, clean aftertaste, with the higher ABV almost unnoticeable. Nice beer overall.

Serving type: on-tap

08-28-2012 01:13:32 | More by Rifugium

ChBass

Texas

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

Served in a tulip at the Hay Merchant in Houston.

This beer is as golden as I could ever imagine a beer being. Perfectly clear with a thick crown of foam and heavy lacing.

The smell is HOPS. Herbaceous, dank hops. As it should be.

The flavor is surprisingly complex for a DIPA, and surprisingly free of booze for 10.4% ABV. Lots of dry malt and complex sweetness fight before finally giving way to hops.

The beer has great mouthfeel; if Lucky 13.alt didn't exist, it'd be one of the best.

Overall, this beer is trouble. Stay away from it, and if you get some...you better just send it to me.

Serving type: on-tap

07-23-2012 23:42:47 | More by ChBass

challenja

Virginia

4.43/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Served On Tap at Westover Market, Arlington, VA.

A: Extremely light for a double IPA. Looks like a slightly orange pilsner. Low Carbonation slight bubble foam mat chilling port side of the glass.

S: Sweet lemons, sugar coated grapefruit and fragrant warrior hops.

T: Damn smacking good! Lots of sour boat bitter simoce and bang through and lingering pine resin lays waste to the back of the tongue. Stingy and swishing lemon bitters. Subtle poker face while drinking it.

M: Nice popping medium carbonation that swishes forward on the palate and take foam inducing shape. Sticky wet and smooth. Not overly dense but very appealing in taste length and character.

O: The best offering from Sierra Nevada! A four pack worth buying. Impressive bitter length and pine resin aftertaste.

Serving type: on-tap

07-02-2012 22:34:23 | More by challenja

Con-a-sewer

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

Enjoyed this at BC's pizza in Clovis ca

Pours a nice orange with a hue of amber at times white foamy head with good lacing

Smell is very inviting floral citrus bouquet hint of spice and pine hops

Taste of sweet citrus with a rush of piney hops

Very drink able because the hops blend in great and there is hardly a sense of a 10% abv nice carbonation

Over all a sensational brew that has a refined appeal that other DIPAs are missing, "I'll have another!"

Serving type: on-tap

06-15-2012 01:36:48 | More by Con-a-sewer

Chico1985

Massachusetts

3.93/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours into a snifter dark orange with some haze, small off-white head quickly becomes a slight cap and ring.

Nose is decent, kinda weak strength though, but a good amount of resiny and fruity hops coming through.

Taste is better. Big oily hops, lots of earthy pine, orange peel, grapefruit, some pineapple. Though this is obviously hop-centric, malt makes a good effort at balance - a mix of toasty malts and sweeter caramel and toffee.

Nice creamy mouthfeel, good thickness and level carbonation. Feels big but drinks well for the ABV. Nicely done.

Overall quite good. At this ABV it still maintains a double IPA feel rather than moving into barleywine territory. Pretty good deal on the 4-pack.

Serving type: on-tap

06-11-2012 14:34:38 | More by Chico1985

tylerprince

Colorado

4.13/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Enjoyed a pint on tap at Falling Rock in Denver.

A: Hazy orange copper with one finger of off-white foamy head. Retention isn't great but lacing is.

S: Hits the nose with hop oils, citrus, and some pine, with a subtle fresh bready malt toward the end. All the aromas are in the head of this beer...once the head fades, which happens quickly, it gives off nothing.

T: Delicious. Starts with a grapefruit-like citrus that gives way to an extremely mild malt backbone - perhaps too mild. Finishes with a hoppy bitterness, which lingers with a nice alcoholic bite.

M: Crisp and clean with the alcohol evident only at the end. Ever so slightly resinous. Low on the carbonation, which is nice.

O: A solid DIPA but not as killer as some make it out to be. It's pretty well described in the name, but I don't think a hop fad should make it OK to dismiss the malt backbone a beer of this caliber really should have.

Serving type: on-tap

06-10-2012 21:20:23 | More by tylerprince

thegodfather2701

North Carolina

3.9/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-Pours a honey color with a thin white head that dissipates quickly leaving no lacing and very little cascading.

S-Citrussy and slightly tropical hops

T-Much like the nose as the hops are citrussy yet have some tropical flavors as well. Caramel malt backbone plays a supporting role, but the hops dominate.

M-Relatively thick and chewy.

D-Very drinkable due to its good flavor, but the high abv. make this a sipper.

Overall, I had been wanting to try this beer for some time but was a little disappointed. This is good but nowhere near as good as Hopslam or Double Trouble.

Serving type: on-tap

05-27-2012 20:57:21 | More by thegodfather2701

TubaManJack

Illinois

3.33/5  rDev -20.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Tulip Glass

Deep golden copper hue with a deep lasting pillowy white head. There is a deep hop oilly smell. This is a bit of sweetness & alcohol and no malt. The taste is very reminiscent of the nose. There isn't too much of the citrus or malt in the taste. This is a really powerful beer that struggles to really balance the alcohol and the oily hops. Its not my favorite but would do well for the hop heads that don't want a big citrus brew.

Serving type: on-tap

05-25-2012 05:00:54 | More by TubaManJack

tbeckett

Ontario (Canada)

3.98/5  rDev -5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap during the Sierra Nevada keg debut at Beer Deluxe. Rough notes on my phone.

A - Poured dark copper with good carbonation, one finger of creamy white head. Film of retention and good rings of lace.

S - Lot's of pine, honey, grass, and citrus.

T - Booze, honey, citrus hops, and boozy pineapple.

M - Good carbonation, medium body and quite bitter.

O/D - Pretty nice stuff. A solid DIPA in the American vein. Tasty and pretty drinkable, yet a bit boozy, but for 10% I understand why.

Serving type: on-tap

05-15-2012 05:31:06 | More by tbeckett

phishsihq

Colorado

3.93/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Hoptimum pours a dark orange, with some amber highlights and an inch of off-white head that clings to the glass. Sweet caramel tones quickly give way to BIG aromas of floral, piney, and citrusy hops, hints of resin, orange, grapefruit, lemon and grass make for a BIG nose. The BIG hoppy flavors of citrus, pine, and grass all carry over onto the pallet before blending very well with a sweet caramel malty backbone, hints of alcohol linger in the finish. Hopitumum is well balanced for a staggering 100 IBU brew, and features a medium-full body and moderate levels of carbonation. BIG, BOLD, Delicious!

Serving type: on-tap

05-15-2012 01:56:02 | More by phishsihq

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

4.38/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

8oz snifter, a surprising as hell find at our sandwich shop destination on a day tour of the North Kohala valley region of the Big Island.

This beer appears a clear medium golden amber hue, with one finger of foamy, rocky white head, which leaves some nice frozen hoar frost lace around the glass as it wisps away.

It smells of grapefruit and tropical citrus fruit, a slight pine resin note, and big caramel/toffee malt. The taste is bitter grapefruit, orange, and lime rind, pine oil, and hefty caramel nougat malt. A wee bit of booze warming bubbles up in the warm air.

The carbonation is a bit peppy, the body a solid medium weight, with a moderate buzz-saw hoppiness that obliterates what I would assume to be a sexy smoothness. It finishes pretty zingy from the you know what, but the malt is no pushover, keeping things precariously honest.

A stellar west coast DIPA - everything big and bold, and all in balance, with lofty booze only threatening the gates, without actually breaking through.

Serving type: on-tap

05-15-2012 01:01:55 | More by biboergosum

TWStandley

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev -5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had on tap at the Salty Pig in Boston...

Poured a golden orange color with a 2 finger bleach white head.

Smelled up front of some piney hops, a bit of grapefruit and lemon.

Taste was pretty good. Hid the alcohol well behind the hoppiness. Wish there was a bit more malt to balance it out more.

Mouthfeel was solid, no heat given the 10% abv.

Overall pretty good, but still not close to touching the top IIPAs.

Serving type: on-tap

05-02-2012 17:06:45 | More by TWStandley

jtmartino

California

4.68/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

On tap at Grape and Grain, San Mateo, CA. Poured into a snifter.

Beautiful vibrant orange color. Two fingers of head that cling to the sides of the glass.

Smell is huge. Big floral, citrus, and boozy malt.

Taste follows the smell. A very mild sweet malty base...you can really taste the alcohol. A boozy, bitter, fruity, and citrusy hop profile round out this beer. Surprisingly balanced for the sheer size of this beer.

Mouthfeel is thick and chewy for a DIPA. Heat from the high alcohol level, but excellent carbonation leaves a creamy feel. Really really nice.

All in all this is an excellent beer. One of the boldest West Coast DIPAs out there...reminds me a bit of Pliny the Younger in its color, flavor profile and mouthfeel. An excellent beer overall.

Cheers.

Serving type: on-tap

04-29-2012 04:43:22 | More by jtmartino

garymuchow

Minnesota

4.23/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

First let me say, "yummy". This is a nice beer.
On tap at The Old Mill, served in New Belgium brandy snifter.
Poured very well. 1/2 inch white head that settled slowly and left some lacing. Deep gold, slightly cloudy.
Aroma was great. Full deep slightly sweet, somewhat citrus, a little fruit, but largely hop oil aroma without excess. Tamed some later, but not too much.
Full on flavor, that is blended so nicely. As much as I enjoyed the hop flavors and the very well done big bitterness (that again pushed towards excess without hitting it) my mind keep going to the caramel malt character that lurked in the background and balance the drink so much.
Moderately large body.
Well done drink that also didn't overpower my food.

Serving type: on-tap

04-28-2012 00:15:42 | More by garymuchow

donkeyrunner

Massachusetts

1.9/5  rDev -54.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

@ Gula Gula, Salem MA

Beautiful, pristinely clear amber color. Thin head quickly collars and fades away. Nice lace up top though.

Floral, super sweet malt aroma. Tastes really sweet with very little hop flavor. Hops come through more as pine sap and a lingering bitter. I'd like more hop resin. And hop aroma. And hop flavor.

Didn't like it in the bottle and like it less on tap.

Serving type: on-tap

04-22-2012 19:24:46 | More by donkeyrunner

UCLABrewN84

California

4.3/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap for the 2nd Anniversary event at Tony's Darts Away in Burbank, CA.

Pours a clear dark orange with a foamy tan head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Small dots and streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of citrus zest and herbal hops. Taste is of citrus zest, grapefruit, herbal hops, and slight malt on the finish. There is a medium amount of bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a very good DIPA with a better taste than smell.

Serving type: on-tap

04-22-2012 06:33:11 | More by UCLABrewN84

match1112

Illinois

4.43/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

served in a schooner at kellehers. poured a nice clear copper body with a fingers worth of off white head, leaving nice amount of lacing. nose is greeted by a bouquet of floral citrus hops. taste is very similiar to the nose with the added caramel malt presence and a touch of pine on the finish. mouthfeel is thick and slightly oily. nice carbonation with a dry hoppy finish. if you like citrus hops in your ipa then this is a must try!

Serving type: on-tap

04-14-2012 02:32:57 | More by match1112

JTSbeerislife

Pennsylvania

4.6/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the Fridge

Poured into a Dogfish Head Signature Snifter.

Pours a medium ¼” thick white colored head, which rapidly diminishes to a thin film.
Excellent lace, sticks to the side of the glass with each drink, beautiful.
Gorgeous amber color. Classic looks! Beautiful!

The aroma attacks your senses with distinct, dry hopped, floral, herbal and resin hops, with a hint of pine to finish it/you off! This is followed by medium intense but rich, refined, grainy malt, the malt fights to come out but is buried by the incredible spicy hops. Amazing nose! Very refined despite the power.

Crisp, distinct, powerful entry on the palate of bitter, dry hopped, resiny and herbal hops. Spicy. Exceptionally enjoyable and totally dominating. Wow!
Followed by distinct, rich, refined roasted grain malt.
The crisp acidity, full creamy mouth feel, fine carbonation and medium sweetness makes for an exceptionally balanced ale.
Unbelievably delicious!! The hops dominate totally.

Exceptionally long, bitter hop finish with some malt trying unsuccessfully to come forward. The hop oils linger forever!!

This is an extraordinary, delicious powerful ale. Complex and superbly balanced.
This is why we search for the best the craft world has to offer! What an effort from SN and rather unexpected.
Highly Recommended! Worth traveling for!
If bottled watch your dates, though this review is from draft, the bottled version is very close in flavor profile but has about a two month to maybe three month window before it starts to lose some of the hop intensity.

Serving type: on-tap

04-09-2012 22:21:12 | More by JTSbeerislife

Glibber

Idaho

3.95/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Tried this beer again on tap at the Front Door in Boise- the first time I was overcome by the hops, but this time I was more preparred and in the mood. I am not necessarily a hop head, but this beer had good complex flavors on the front end before the hops slammed you on the back end.
A nice light clear amber color and very thick white head with heavy lacing. Served in a small tulip glass (10oz pour).
When you consider the 10.5% ABV, this is pretty impressive beer.

Serving type: on-tap

04-04-2012 23:03:57 | More by Glibber

champ103

Texas

3.53/5  rDev -15.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Hay Merchant in Houston, TX.

A: Pours a bright and vibrant orange color. A two finger white head forms with good retention. Lots of sticky lace is left behind.
S: Lots of hops for sure. Bitter orange rind, pine resin, and some honey like sweetness.
T: Follows the nose. Citrus, pine hops. Resinous. Some honey like sweetness, and finishes with some lingering bitterness that last forever.
M/D: A medium body and carbonation. A bit thin, and I would like this to be more crisp. A nice sipper, but the alcohol is noticeable along with the strong bitterness. One is enjoyable, but enough for one sitting.

I think this is a nice DIPA, but a bit simplistic. Something I did enjoy, but there are other examples that I like better. Locally made at that.

Serving type: on-tap

04-02-2012 01:30:40 | More by champ103

BucannonXC5

California

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

Poured from a draft into a goblet at San Diego Brewing Company on March 21, 2012. Color was caramel paleish. A good-looking beer. Minimal lacing on the top with bubbles on the sides. Light film on the sides of the glass.

Smelled citrus hops up front. Grapefruit seemed to lead the way. Could smell the bitterness. Tiny amounts of pine.

Tasted bitter hops up front but it balanced out after that. Could taste the alcohol, but it wasn’t overwhelming by any means. Smooth taste.

Medium body. Average carbonation. Smooth finish. Really just a perfect feel. By far the best part of this beer.

I went out of my way to try this beer (it was tapped earlier in the day at this place). Overall I was hoping for slightly more, but I did enjoy it and would try it again in a heartbeat.

Serving type: on-tap

03-23-2012 07:13:06 | More by BucannonXC5

Scotchboy

Idaho

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

2012 version on-tap @ Brewforia Beer Market, Meridian ID. Served in a snifter.

A: Pours a chill hazed darker honey gold, that regains its clarity as it warms...fluffy white recedes to a constant ring.

S: Resiny, pithy & piny hop assault, definitely more bitter smelling than sweet...malt is detectable, but buried...wow this is hoppy.

T: Taste follows...waves of piny hops, very dry and bitter with that signature Sierra Nevada resiny/herbal note...bitter citrus rind, pine needle, oily and a bit earthy...hint of honey and bready malt, maybe a slight toasty quality but the hops are king. Alcohol is noticeable especially as it warms.

MF: Dry! Bitter, probably about medium in mouthfeel, the alcohol does cut it some.

O: Very very bitter, more bitter than I remember last years bottling being and almost too much for me to thoroughly enjoy. Its definitely every bit a Sierra Nevada beer.

Serving type: on-tap

03-15-2012 20:51:32 | More by Scotchboy