Hop Notch IPA - Uinta Brewing Company

woemad

Washington

3.7/5  rDev -7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

12oz bottle purchased at Huckleberry’s in Spokane for $1.69. According to the label, this is “Best Before 07/19/13.” I’d recently tried this on tap, but this was the first time for me in a bottle and under reviewer-friendly conditions.

Poured a slightly hazy amber color, with lots of bubbles to be seen shooting to the top of my glass. The off-white head was thick, creamy looking, and left lots of lace on the sides of the glass.

Up front, the aroma is of citrusy hops. There’s some bready tones in the background, but the hops are the stars of the show. As it warms up, some more easygoing, floral hop scents emerge as well.

Things are a little more restrained in the taste. While the initial flavor is of grapefruity hops, there’s a lot more mild hop flavor as well, plus a malty backbone that seems more augmented than when encountered in the nose. Still, it tastes pretty good, and goes down quite easily.

Medium bodied, with a slightly oily mouthfeel.

This isn’t a huge hop blast of an IPA, but as we enter the warmer months, a beer like this is very enjoyable. It’s a very easy drinking beer that would be a great session beer if not for it’s relatively high alcohol content (of which there is virtually no sign in the taste). Even so, if you’re not going anywhere, you could do a lot worse than see the evening out with a few bottles of Hop Notch.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2013 01:28:21 | More by woemad

mattcrill

Ohio

4.6/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Aroma: Lots of pithy orange and grapefruit aromas up front. Some marmalade-type sweetness emerges as the beer warms and opens up.

Appearance: Amber pour with a moderate white head that retains well.

Flavor: More grapefruit heavy flavors up front. Love the resiny hop character and just a hint of caramel malt that is subdued by the heavy handed hop load. Balance is to the bitter. Finish is clean and dry.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with medium-high carbonation. A bit of hop derived astringency is welcome. No alcohol heat.

Overall impression: Grapefruit bomb IPA. May not be for everyone but I love it. Glad Uinta finally made it to Ohio!

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 20:54:00 | More by mattcrill

MacQ32

South Carolina

4.01/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Pours a very clear golden color with a finger of tan head, ok retention. A nice thick outer ring remains with fantastic lacing all around

S - Bitter hops, mild citrus (orange?), mild pine, cracker and mild sweetness from caramel malts. Very mild smelling but pleasant.

T - Fairly bitter leafy hops up front, the bitterness doesnt linger too long. Citrus, apple and cracker follow with a bit of sweet caramel follow. The bitterness reappears at the finish and lingers a decent bit.

M - Lighter bodied, pretty well carbonated. It works but it's almost lighter than I'd prefer. Regardless, very drinkable and refreshing.

O - Was in VA looking for some awesome beer I cant get in SC. Didn't really see anything too recognizable (slightly disappointed) but I went with the Hop Notch (I had heard of unita but was not familiar with them). I'm glad I picked this one out - not my favorite IPA but I'd consider it a wonderful "introductory" ipa - not too overwhelming but extremely well balanced and drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 00:58:36 | More by MacQ32

tronester

Oklahoma

3.84/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A clear copper in color with a small head. Aromas of pine and grapefruit. Taste begins with some toffee, then a big citrus rind flavor, finishing with pine-cone flavor. Mouthfeel is rich. Overall a very nice IPA, its quite flavorful with plenty of hop punch.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2013 23:47:32 | More by tronester

philbe311

Pennsylvania

3.76/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

A - A full finger's worth and then some of crisp slightly lush off-white colored froth with a bit of a rocky top comprised of small and medium sized bubbles... Excellent retention... Loaded with swirling carbonation that starts sluggish before accelerating to a moderate pace... The color is equal part rich copper and caramel... There are some slight pale straw undertones when back lit... Gobs of lacing cling to the sides of the glass...

S - A moderate yet distinctive hop presence is at the forefront... Mostly sweet citrus with some earthy and piney notes mixed in... A bit beneath the surface is a slight malt base comprised of cracker and caramel... Solid, but a bit understated...

T - The hops take on less of a citrus character and more of an earthy piney richness... The is a pure hop leaf resiny quality about it... There is some light tobacco notes... The malt base is minimal and comprised mostly of cracker... There is a very minor metallic component... The hop bitterness lingers on the finish...

M - Medium bodied... The lush froth greets the lips first... Sturdy... Clean... Crisp... A bit dense... Prickly carbonation... Finishes with an ever so slight touch of dryness...

D - A very well rounded American IPA... Approachable enough for the masses and interesting enough for BAs... Goes down easily and hides the 7+% ABV rather well... Wouldn't be my first choice in the beer aisle, but it wouldn't be to far behind either... After a bad initial experience with Uinta, brews like Hop Notch are starting to win my respect back...

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2013 02:01:52 | More by philbe311

Mister_Falcon

Pennsylvania

4.06/5  rDev +2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a golden-amber into a clear glass mug. Had a quarter inch of fizzy head before it dissipated. Smells aggressively hoppy. Very bitter and well hopped but just on the edge of being over hopped and unpleasant. Decently crisp and tongue-numbing. 4/5 overall.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2013 00:52:02 | More by Mister_Falcon

templar316

Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Pours a cool, crisp amber just a few weeks after bottling into my SammySmith pint. The bright white head leaves lacing up and down clinging to the body. Thicky oiley hops dominate the nose, hints of candy pinnapple and biscuit malt finish. It's amazing how smooth this drinks! Sweet Citrus hops burst after a caramel opening. Mandrin oranges dance into piney bitterness and the backbone of malt sweetness delivers a nice, smooth easy drinking ale.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2013 05:21:56 | More by templar316

Goosehunter75

Missouri

3.93/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

A- Pours a very good looking honey that is crystal clear. It had a 1 finger fluffy white head with nice retention and moderate lacing. Very good looking beer

S - Citrusy with a slight piney smell. The underlying malt aromas also come thru quite nicely

T - Quite tart upfront just like a grapefruit with a little pine mixed in. It has a solid bitterness throughout but it is balanced nicely with the malts.

M - Would call it between a light and meduim bodied beer. Felt crisp on the tounge.

O - Wonderful beer. Excellant flavor and aromas. Very close to a world class beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2013 00:00:39 | More by Goosehunter75

Brenden

Ohio

3.84/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Hop Notch is a clear bright gold-amber color with a craggy white head on top that's strong enough to leave plenty of lacing in various forms on the glass.
The aroma shows a nice balance between hops and malts with focus on the hoppier side, specifically fresh citrus. Breads come out as well with a little caramel sweetness as some zest comes out along with orange and grapefruit flesh. All said, this smells pretty fresh.
The taste adds more leafy and piney flavors along with the balancing malty sweetness. Sure, the citrus is still there, but it's not as deep as it could be. It's still nice, though. Grassy notes come out through the middle, and It finishes a little on the pithy side.
There's a fluffy sort of lightness on the tongue, but with a good, firm body to it. Carbonation is consistent and makes for a nice, creamy flow. Resins add a little stickiness initially, but it really goes smooth.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2013 19:33:00 | More by Brenden

Joethebeerpro

Georgia

3.76/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

big grapefruit, then citrus, then piney finish its a very pronounced IPA intense awesome for a hot day. The first impression is as I state above, but after pouring it into a tall beer glass it settled down and was much more sessionable. It sneaks up on you because its 7.3abv. the alcihol is well hidden.
Citrus bomb that satisfies every time.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2013 02:18:02 | More by Joethebeerpro

falloutsnow

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

From: Binny's, Bloomingdale, IL
Date: Best by 7/16/2013
Glass: Standard US pint glass

Hop Notch is a solid US IPA from Uinta, focusing on grapefruit-like flavors and bitterness provided by North American hops. The malt base is fairly typical for an IPA, and the hops are the clear focus here. While somewhat generic (like every other US IPA), it's still a quality beer made by brewers who clearly know what they're doing.

Pours a fairly generous head of 2cm, made up of small bubbles, somewhat dense, but primarily dish-soap looking. Retention is about two minutes, above average for the style. The foam descends, leaving good lacing along the sides of the glass, primarily of thin columns with a slight wave-like appearance. The body is a golden yellow color, slightly hazy, with light bringing out brighter yellow-orange hues. Carbonation is visible, though minimal in number and sluggish in movement.

Abundant hop aroma, primarily grapefruit and lesser pine, hints of other citrus and bitterness, with a backdrop of slightly biscuit-like and light caramel malts. Hops are mostly bright, slightly dank, and at the forefront of this beer.

Front of tongue picks up grapefruit and lemon citrus on a bed of faint biscuit and light caramel malt. Mid-palate is of citrusy, slightly flowery hops, with strong grapefruit notes and lesser pine resin, guava, and passion fruit. Back of palate picks up strong bitterness, grapefruit, unripe guava, slightly biscuit-like malt. Aftertaste of long-lingering bitterness, with very bitter grapefruit over somewhat bland biscuit-like malts.

Beer is medium to medium-light in body, with carbonation of medium-low intensity. This leads to a mouthfeel that is slightly foamy, never prickly, but also somewhat smoothly stagnant. A bit more carbonation would do a good deal for this beer, or at least this bottle. Closes quite dry, with medium-level stickiness on the palate.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2013 20:06:54 | More by falloutsnow

Bauzen

New York

4.24/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Pours a beautiful mirky dark golden brown color. Head is fluffy and soft, and it dissolves relatively when properly poured into a tulip.

Flavorful bitter citrus aromas are present, but there's a malty lager base there too.

Flavor follows the aroma. A very solid genre representative for IPAs everywhere; an "all-day IPA," if you will. If you like Lagunitas' hoppy brews, this one fits a similar flavor profile but finishes dryer and cleaner. You either like that or you don't.

My only complaint with this beer is that the flavor doesn't linger longer. Luckily I was drinking this beer with dinner, and drier beers tend to shine with food.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2013 04:27:26 | More by Bauzen

ironchefmiyagi13

New York

4.25/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

I absolutely loved this beer. Great anytime IPA. Citrus nose, nice bitter flavors with a malt backbone that smooths everything out. Not exactly session-able at 7%, but I can definitely crack a few of these in a row and be perfectly content. Great 'Everyman IPA'.

Serving type: can

04-26-2013 02:13:32 | More by ironchefmiyagi13

brentk56

North Carolina

3.85/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Appearance: Pours a clear amber with a very impressive head; three fingers of great stickage but relatively little lacing

Smell: Plenty of piney hops on the nose, but an equal dose of caramel and melon underneath

Taste: Up front, the malts take a stand, bringing caramel and melon; without missing a beat, the bitter hops also arrive, rather piney, with some pithy citrus as well; after the swallow and through the finish, both the malts and the hops maintain a strong presence though the bitterness lingers into the aftertaste

Mouthfeel: Medium to full body with moderate carbonation

Overall: A well-balanced beer; though not among my favorites, this beer is certainly an enjoyable example of the style

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2013 23:26:46 | More by brentk56

JordanPhraczek

Massachusetts

3.64/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served in a 12 ounce bottle into a Sam Adams Spring Seasonal Glass.

A - Amber-brown classic ale color with a white head. Looks appetizing. Clear, minimal bubbles, minimal lacing.

S - Standard English stock ale smell with some hop notes. Smells like a classic IPA.

T - If you are an IPA purest who likes an English tasting malt with pleasant hops that aren't overpowering this is your beer.

M - English brown ale feel. Gives a watery punch to the back of your throat and has nice bite after you drink it.

O - Overall when I think of an IPA that has some nice American hop taste with a classic English background this pretty much fits the mold. Nothing fancy, but fills all the requirements for a quality original style IPA.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2013 20:23:32 | More by JordanPhraczek

Leftbob

North Carolina

3.38/5  rDev -15.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

With a decent selection to choose from I just could not think of a reason to have a second glass and I moved on.

It was well hopped and had a decent citrus note but just lacked balance and finished kind of harsh.

Granted lately I have been drinking Founders Centenial and ball at Point Sculpin so perhaps the bar is set high.

It's not the first time I had a pint of Hop Notch and in general I would rate it about the same.

There simply are better choices in a decent bar.

Serving type: on-tap

04-19-2013 22:14:07 | More by Leftbob

barczar

Kentucky

3.8/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Pours a clear medium to light copper with a frothy one inch ivory head that slowly dissipates, leaving sheets of lacing.

Floral hops, fresh cut grass, resin, and grapefruit form the initial aroma. Hints of tropical fruit adds complexity to the caramel malt base. Earthy notes, onion, and pine emerge late.

Citrus hops dominate the flavor profile initially, somewhat nondescript, lingering throughout, into the fairly bitter, earthy finish. Grapefruit, orange pith, and resin form the backbone, with bready malt keeping things together in the background.

Body is smooth, moderate, with moderate carbonation and a not of alcohol warmth. There's slight astringency in the finish.

Citrus character is present throughout, but somewhat difficult to pinpoint, from an individual fruit perspective. Fairly bitter, and the flavoring hops shine, but they're not terribly complex. Aftertaste is more bitter than I prefer.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2013 00:22:02 | More by barczar

kawilliams81

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a Half Acre tulip.

A- pours a dark caramel with a 2 finger off-white head. Big wall and leopard spotting of lacing.

S- caramel, nice citrus and melon aromas, spices, light toast, and some pine.

T- light caramel, toasted malts, light citrus (orange, grapefruit), some spice, and pine finish.

M- medium body and carbonation. Fairly light with some slickness and spice bite

O- good ipa, but not what I expected. Very sweet, citrus/melon forward aroma but the flavors are muted. Also, different with the spices, maybe some rye?

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2013 02:00:18 | More by kawilliams81

JAlvy

Pennsylvania

3.86/5  rDev -3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Eco friendly brewery that makes very quaffable beer. Hop Notch IPA is a good example of an IPA. Crisp, hoppy, and smooth malt finish. Had a 1/6 keg of it and it poured a nice thick head and straw color with a bready and hoppy aroma. Good balanced beer and clean finish. I recommend checking out there line of beers. Will buy again.

Serving type: on-tap

04-15-2013 04:34:33 | More by JAlvy

JoEBoBpr

Missouri

3.89/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a tulip glass from a 12oz bottle.

Pours a nice strong golden color with some slight amber hues. There is a nice 1 inch slightly off-white head that forms. It is quite dense and the retention is quite good. As the head recedes it leaves a nice thick film of lacing on the sides of the glass.

Aroma starts off with hoppy goodness. Nice citrusy notes of tangerines and oranges with some slight grapefruit notes. Some nice tropical fruit notes are present as well some slight papaya and even some pineapple. There is some nice sweetness to the nose but mostly comes form the juicy hops.

Flavor follows the nose but showcases some nice smooth malt notes as well. Starts off with nice tropical fruit juice notes followed quick by a nice West Coast citrusy bite. Some tangerine is perceived as well as some orange rind. There is some nice bready malt notes that are perceived along the middle of the profile. Pretty earthy along with some nice grassy hop notes. The flavors are clean and well crafted and shine very well on their own. The finish is nice and bitter and dry with citrusy notes carrying on until they slowly fade.

Overall this is quite a delicious brew. Nice citrus notes with a great earthy tone to the hops and the bready notes.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 22:19:52 | More by JoEBoBpr

arizcards

Arizona

3.96/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Picked up a couple singles last weekend from Total WIne for $1.49 each. Best before 06-06-13.

Beer poured orange with a nice tall white head that is leaving lacing behind.

Nose is a nice citrus hop but is not overly pungent.

Taste is pretty well balanced. Caramel malt backbone ultimately gets overwhelmed by the citrus hops. Great flavor but finish is not overly clean.

Mouthfeel is full bodied and smooth. Drinks more like a double ipa.

Overall this is a very tasty brew, not overly clean like the outstanding west coast ipa's are but a solid brew that i would have again.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 23:01:32 | More by arizcards

hosehead83

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Poured from "stubby" 12oz. bottle into a standard pint glass.
Clear gold in color, with a big cap of off-white foam.
Aroma-Fragrant boquet of fruity, piney hops. Nice.
Taste-Onrush of fresh hops greet the palate, balanced by a toasted malt backbone that complements things quite nicely. Tasty and well-balanced, a solid example of an American IPA.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 16:07:53 | More by hosehead83

312HopBomb

Illinois

4.03/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Pour a burnt amber with an explosion of ivory froth overflowing the Solemn Oath tulip glass. Very clear.

Very aromatic with pine needles, fruity hops and balancing malts, biscuit, and slightly caramel.

More pine needles and grapefruit pith and some malt foundation but the hops dominate. Very bitter finish.

Mouthfeel is slightly thin.

Overall a good, bitter IPA

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 00:29:56 | More by 312HopBomb

billybob

Massachusetts

3.81/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

pours a light copper color no head to speak of but a good amount of lace left on the glass. the smell will let you know this beers hoped up. taste is hops, hops, hops a little to strong for my liking. mouthfeel was ok nothing special there. overall to strong for my taste but for you hop heads give it a try.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2013 19:31:32 | More by billybob

gillagorilla

Maryland

4.01/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

12 oz. bottle into a pint

A: It is a bit cloudy but it has a healthy flow of bubbles and it looks like a nice blonde ale. Fizzles down to an almost non-existent film. Beautiful lacing as well.

S: Straight up citrus hops, tinged with a piney resin. I thought I smelt a Saltine in there at one point. Just had to put it in here.

T: Oddly enough I get a lot of pine coming through. I was expecting more of a citrus profile. It kind of has a flat profile, but I think that is just because the pine taste is so strong and even throughout. Don't take that as a bad point though, because I quite like it.

M: Quite smooth with a bit of fine bubbles in the swallow. It lingers nicely in the mouth.

O: This is a very straight forward piney IPA with a citrus scent. It is excellent and a bargain at its price/availability.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2013 04:16:40 | More by gillagorilla