Tricerahops Double IPA - Ninkasi Brewing Company

shand

Florida

4.13/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22oz bottle into an imperial pint.

Rereview - The kind folks at LetsPour sent me a replacement bottle after my problems with the first bottle. This beer pours out a nice amber color with two fingers of head that drop down to a centimeter worth of cap. The aroma is nicely balanced between citrus hops and caramel malts, with just a bit of grapefruit. The taste is an easy-drinking combination of tropical and critus hops with just a bit of grapefruit rind. The caramel malts are ever-present, but are not assertive. They're very mellow and lend a nice backbone to the beer. The finish is bitter and hoppy, but again not aggressively. There's a bit of a herbal hop component in here too that tends to get overlooked in the flavor profiles of DIPAs that I find quite welcome.

The mouthfeel is moderately carbonated and on the lighter side for the ABV, and the drinkability is very good. Overall, this is just a solid double IPA that could easily be a hometown favorite for it's easy-drinking trait. I'd probably drink this a lot on tap if I lived in the area. It's really funny how just an off level of carbonation can change the whole way that a beer seems to taste. Big ups to LetsPour for sending me a replacement bottle after the problems with my first.

Original score: 3/3/4.5/3.5/3.5

Bad impression 1) This bottle was severely underfilled. I'm talking only 18 ounces out of the supposed 22 ounces. Bad impression 2) Possibly related to the short fill, despite a healthy PSST on opening, there was no head to this beer. The aroma is strong on the caramel malts, with just a touch of piney hops and not much else. The taste though is rather good. It's got a smooth balance at first between the malts and the piney hops, but the hops maintain a slow burn through the finish that fully coats my mouth. Very nicely executed.

The mouthfeel is surely undercarbonated, but that could do with the short fill, so I'm giving it a pass. The drinkability is very good though. I'm kinda disappointed about the poor QC from the brewery on this very short fill that negatively effected their product. The cap very loudly hissed so I know it wasn't a leak during packaging. That said, the flavor was good enough that I still enjoyed this beer. It's not the best first impression though.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2012 01:44:39 | More by shand

kawilliams81

Illinois

4.13/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22 oz bottle into a Half Acre tulip.

A- pours a nice dark golden color with a 2" off-white head. Nice waves and clumps of lacing remain.

S- some sweet malts and citrus ( orange and pineapple). Aromas not as dominant as other dipa's.

T- sweet caramel, oranges and grapefruit predominantly for citrus flavors. Mostly bitter rind hop flavor but some pine notes in there also.

M- medium body and carbonation. Nice drinkability, a bit slick with semi dry finish from the bitter rind.

O- really liked this beer. Believe this is my first Ninkasi beer and it didn't disappoint. Would get this again given the chance.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2012 01:52:53 | More by kawilliams81

brotherloco

California

3.85/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

22oz bomber. No date, but think this is a new batch. Served in a snifter.

Pours a hazy copper orange with very little head formation. Dissipates quickly to a razor thin ring. Tiny bit of lacing.

Aroma of grapefruit, orange, piney dankness with a bit of onion. Sweet caramel malt. A butterscotch note.

A lot of floralness in the initial flavor. Sweetens up through the middle and finishes quite sweet. Citrus, pine, and floral tinged bitterness blossoms nicely through the middle and finish as well. Lingering hop bitterness in the aftertaste.

Medium bodied with medium-low carbonation. Just slightly thick.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2012 03:12:49 | More by brotherloco

N3rdM3t4l

Oregon

3.65/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

bomber into standard pint. Room temp into chilled glass.

A: Dark honey colored and crystal clear with FOUR fingers of foamy, chunky, rocky, BEAUTIFUL slightly off white head. The lacing is intense and it has taken about 5 minutes for it to recede into a chunky foamy mess on top of the beer with a curtain of the stuff left on the sides of the glass. Looks like a golden bubble bath.

S: Hops right up front. Hidden under the hops is a little bit of sweetness. The hops smells earthy and almost dank, like peat. Smells good. Would be great with something roasted I think.

T: That sweetness on the nose is there right away on the palate despite the huge hop presence. After that is a burst of earthy hops that fades into a good bitter. A little alcohol warmth down the throat from the higher abv too.

M: Solid medium body with just enough carbonation to make it not feel like you are drinking malt syrup. Feels good in the mouth.

O: I must be learning to like IPAs because the more I review them the more I like them. Or I just keep trying better IPA. I was scared of this at first since this really isn't my style of beer and doubling it was a terrifying thought for me, especially after trying Total Domination and being overwhelmed with hops. I recommend this brew actually, score for my hometown heroes Ninkasi.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2012 06:06:46 | More by N3rdM3t4l

spicelab

Australia

3.4/5  rDev -16.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bomber from Wholefoods, Bend. Reviewed from notes.

Bright golden amber with a large, somewhat porous white head. Sinks relatively quickly with minimal lacing to a slight ring and film.

Somewhat muffled sweet citrus and floral hop aromas supported by savoury and toffee malts. Touch of sweatiness provides a lift and elusive sour grapefruit and wet grass at times give it a smart bite.

Flavours are dominated by a sharpish, earthy, fresh-mint bitterness which is nice in itself, but it fairly clobbers the fruity character. Some tangerine survives, but that's about all.

Medium body with moderate carbonation and an increasingly bracing bitterness on the mid and rear that is quite satsifying.

Doesn't seem to fulfil its potential, particularly with respect to the taste which verges on unidimensional. Not sure of the age on this though. Most redeeming characteristic is the dry bitterness.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2012 05:16:36 | More by spicelab

AgentMunky

Alabama

4.03/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22 ounce bottle into a snifter. Supplemented by a review from notes done on 20 January 2011.

A: A relatively brief finger of head tops a coppery-clear beer. Not the best-looking beer I've seen. Scattered lacing.

S: Strong, resiny hops. This bottle is not as balanced as the one I had in January; perhaps it's fresher. Still, a splash of cream helps out. Nice.

T/M: A bit of citrus with a deep undercurrent of hops that manages to not be overbearing. Dry-sweet-malts and spot-on carbonation make for very pleasant drinking.

O: This beer improves as it warms, enhancing the pine bitterness while still somehow mellowing it. Good, but not great. I would drink again, but the friend who recommended it to me may have overhyped it a bit. Still, I would certainly recommend it to others and will drink again. Great name!

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2012 05:52:22 | More by AgentMunky

Nay

Pennsylvania

4.58/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle brought via Iowa (thanks Dan and Jean!), delicious: worthy of "double IPA" distinction. Stronger than IPA at 8.8 ABV and bitterness level, yet not syrupy, sweet, or indigestible like a barleywine. Malty yet dry. A real clone-worthy beer. Aroma good, but a bit more hops would have been nice, but not unexpected from a bottle. Must get more.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2012 22:12:06 | More by Nay

Philousa

California

2.83/5  rDev -30.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Imbibed on tap at Harry's Hofbrau on 2/19/12.

Poured a dark gold, clear, metallic and shiny. Great head retention, though not much lacing. Very citrusy hops dominate the nose and not much else. Some malt is discernible though it's very light. Light in mouthfeel, bitter but not too bitter. Very lemony and citrusy. Spritzy and carbonated. Although this is light in taste, the MF is full bodied. It's weird to describe, just trust me. It confuses the palate/mind.

I was confused about this beer, mainly because I wasn't sure if it was full bodied or light. The flavors were very strong, but still not very dominating over the palate. I feel like this should get off the fence and either be a West Coast hop bomb or not. That said, I'd like to try this again on its own. I feel like my palate and expectations were compromised before drinking this beer.

Serving type: on-tap

02-20-2012 02:35:13 | More by Philousa

DCon

Missouri

3.43/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bought a 1 PINT 6 FL. OZ. bottle of this from Broulin's in Driggs, ID for $7.19.Poured from the Aqua Blue labeled bottle w/ the Ninkasi "N" bold into a 16oz Grand Teton Brewing Co Pint Glass. Does not have a freshness date.

Aroma- Has tons of grassy hop aroma from the beginning and sweetness towards the end. Very well blended aroma, tough to bring out much more.

Appearance- Pours a 3 Finger, frothy and long lasting head. Has a clear, copper colored both with tons of carbonation bubbles. Leaves THICK rings of lacing behind.

Flavor- Starts with tons of nice hop flavors (citrus, mango, and fruit) but then doesn't have much more... Has a light bitterness ending. Wondering whats going on here? A good amount of sweetness and malt are found. Maybe a malt dominant body?

Mouthfeel- Medium bodied, Medium-High Carbonation, Creamy, Smooth, and finishes with light alcohol warming.

Overall Impression- Not the 2X IPA I was looking for... This seemed more like a Citrus IPA and didn't have the body or finishing flavors a Double IPA would. Would not turn this down if offered and not a bad brew, I just rate to style here.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2012 23:50:48 | More by DCon

zaphodchak

Virginia

4.18/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Present (thinnish) head, white.

Tangy, kinda gingerbread nose.

Big, well balanced taste, spicy malt with some nut, but easily drinkable and quite tasty. Finish is like a hop salad.

Feels a bit bright, but not too fizzy.

I don't love or seek out IPAs/DIPAs, but I can appreciate a good one, and this is one.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2012 01:47:53 | More by zaphodchak

barleywinefiend

Washington

3.23/5  rDev -20.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Poured a dark orange color with good carbonation and a nice white head.

S: Nose is faint, very faint hints of caramel, pine needles, earth. Disappointing.

T: Rather lackluster. Minor notes of pine sap, orange peel. Caramel and a bread. Some yeast as well.

M: Not much bitterness, medium body, good booze feel

O: Overrated IIPA

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2012 23:25:17 | More by barleywinefiend

drabmuh

Maryland

3.65/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Beer served in a New Belgium globe glass. Beer is amber and mildly hazy with a soft white head of medium and small bubbles, lots of lacing, and moderate carbonation. Looks great.

Aroma is sweet, earthy, almost like hop candy, CTZ if I'm not mistaken.

Beer is medium to thin in body, sweet with moderate bitterness on a dry finish. The hop flavor and character is nice, sweet throughout, subdued a little, earthy, sulfury, mildly piny. Interesting but not my favorite IPA.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2012 02:21:43 | More by drabmuh

runjack

Washington

4.78/5  rDev +17.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Before I start off I should say that I love this beer. The malt is malty the hops are hoppy and it fits like a puzzle piece on my palate.

A) Foamy head with a hazy body. To me it seems a tad to dark for the style but thats just me being nit picky... just a tiny little bit tad

S) Hops, like hops in a bag from the lhbs packed and crisp BUT I should mention not what soever is the smell even close to the perfect heavenly smell that ipas can have...

T) this is one of those beers you have to taste to really understand. It's a perfect example of a real IPA. The hops aren't highly on center stage with the malty flavor filling all the gaps

M) the mouth feel is as expected from something almost perfect. It's not to thin not to thick its just about right

O) I love this beer though I know that out in that wide beautiful world is an IPA that really truly showcases brewing at its finest this may not be it though its pretty damn close...

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2012 02:57:54 | More by runjack

seanwhite

Massachusetts

4.3/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured as a dense golden/ brass color that had a minimum amount of carbonation bubbles rising to the top and then a thick fluffy white layer of foam on top.

S: Zesty yeast and citrus influenced hops.

T: Flavor is more or less the same as the total domination but packs a bigger alcohol kick and more intensely bitter type of hops. Still has plenty of citrus and grapefruit at work here, but the breaded malts seem to have been drowned out somewhat by the extra dosage of hops.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2011 18:24:42 | More by seanwhite

Durge

Connecticut

4.1/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A very hazy amber tan colored brew with a big fluffy off-white head that collapses to a stubborn film that deposits heavy lacing. The aroma brings evergreen and butterscotch pine hops and sticky vanilla malt. Very full and attractive. The flavor jumps out with a bright herbal hop and lemony hayseed grain which comes in a medium-plus bodied package with plentiful, but delicate carbonation. The feel is pretty sudsy, smooth and easy drinking. The grainy-hop sweetness almost approaches cloying levels but this is a very solid hop brew, some intensity but overall an anytime pleaser. Another Ninkasi triumph.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2011 00:58:10 | More by Durge

Drinkerofales

California

3.88/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a great dark orange amber with a thick frothy head and great lacing from top to bottom.

Smells of piney floral hops, which are overpowered by a big bold caramel malt scent, more as it warms. Also smells of booze.

Tastes very boozy on my first impression, some hops and malt, very balanced flavors, however, the flavor doesn't last until the finish, and there isn't much complexity.

The feel is astringent, and thin, the booze are apparent in the astringency, but not the texture. Not a whole lot of body.

Overall this is a good beer. Like a poor man's 90 minute. The malts are slightly overpowering the hops, and for a DIPA, it is lacking a real hops presence that I was expecting from a beer called Tricerahops. While I would definitely drink this again and am glad I tried it, I won't be buying this again, as there are many more DIPAs at my local BevMo that are better.

Dave

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2011 05:32:24 | More by Drinkerofales

bschinelli

Illinois

3.98/5  rDev -2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Another bottle picked up in the PNW. Pours a deep tangelo color with a thin head that left a little lace on the glass. The nose is citrusy; tangerine, grapefruit, and tangerines. I didn't get the pine, but a little hop grassiness. Initial taste is that grapefruit, lots of hops, and some light malt, I didn't pick up on biscuit. The mouthfeel is a little light for the style, and there's almost no heat from the alcohol. That said, a 22oz serving will clearly take it's toll. I'm not sure about the 100 IBU's, because I didn't get the "blow your head off" hops that you'd expect.

Overall, I liked this beer, even though it doesn't fit the profile. Very drinkable!

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2011 00:32:35 | More by bschinelli

timtwoface

British Columbia (Canada)

5/5  rDev +23.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Of course, my current favourite beer of all time - a double IPA - is only sold in select places 50km from my house, so I can't enjoy it as much as I'd like. Sigh.

Tricerahops is truly a wonder to behold. A glorious ornage/golden cloudy colour, enough hops to make your head spin, but with subtle fruity undertones (but not too fruity) makes this an exception hop-bomb you can enjoy. I first tried this beer on tap at the Great Canadian Beer Festival in Victoria, BC - and ever since, I've loved this beer and nearly anything I've tried from Ninkasi Brewing.

I simply must find a way to get more of this one. At 8.8% ABV and a ridiculous amount of IBUs, you may initially pay a premium for the beer's deliciosity but it's a slow drinker so it will last a while - but it's really easy to down as well, despite its alcohol content, so be forwarned.

I have one sitting in my fridge waiting for a special occasion (Christmas or New Years, at this point) but I am desperately looking for more of this one.

I don't have a problem...I just absolutely adore this beer. This is the first beer I've ever given a 5.0 rating to across the board, and I stand by it 100%.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2011 01:57:02 | More by timtwoface

StJamesGate

New York

4.05/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bright amber going lighter tangerine towards the edges with creamy taupe head that fades to film but leaves chunky soapy trailers. Nose it lots of grapefruit rind with some fruit punch and a touch of leafy sourness.
Juicy raspberry and mango, sugar cookie like BN says, with citrus (tangelo? pink grapefruit?) and resin hops.
Baby aspirin/orange sorbet finish and astringent linger. Medium, chewy, amazingly no burn, some sticky.

Properly bitter linger but juicy (if not sticky) early on so that it balances. Not hoppy enough to be a full on DIPA - don't believe 100 IBU for a second - but tasty enough that I don't mind. Main thing here is how the creamy body and buried ABV make it so drinkable. Not to style but better for it.

Thanks to Chris and Ina for sending this my way from SF.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2011 11:20:00 | More by StJamesGate

Gavage

New Jersey

4.53/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: dark orange in color with a merangue like thick head that slowly falls to a spotty foam. Thick lace paints the glass.

Smell: loads of pine, grapefruit, and earthy hop presence dominates the aroma.

Taste: big caramel flavor with an great balance of pine, grapefruit, biscuit, pears, and a bold bitterness that does not go over the top like some in the style.

Mouthfeel: medium bodied. Lightly crisp throughout with some dryness late.

Overall: this was a super fresh DIPA that was so well balanced I had to have two in the session. Refreshing and totally satisfying, I returned to the same bar to have it two nights in a row.

Serving type: on-tap

11-22-2011 00:51:19 | More by Gavage

quirkzoo

Colorado

3.73/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle from Fred Meyer poured into a Bullwinkle pint glass at Grandma's (usually I don't mention that kind of stuff but it seemed funny). Pours a slightly hazy dull orange with two fingers of egg shell colored head. The nose is strongly citrusy, lots of grapefruit and some orange and lemon with just a touch of piney hops. The malt is there but is definitely subdued as compared to the nose. The taste is more of the same with a good dryness. After I swallow I get a distinctly cannabis flavor in my mouth that wasn't really there on the nose. The mouthfeel was good but nothing special. Overall this is a solid DIPA and if it were readily available to me in my area I would definitely pick it up on occasion.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2011 17:39:10 | More by quirkzoo

slammgrass

Belgium

3.15/5  rDev -22.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a bomber into a pint glass and a tulip; served immediately from fridge. Sampled cold, and let it warm up to see if the taste and aromas changed.

Appearance: Orangey-golden hue. Very little carbonation with tiny bubbles with little to no head, and no remnants of lacing. Suspect that this might be a dud of a bottle.

Smell and aromas: Subtle notes of sour lemon, and sauerkraut. Since this is a DIPA style and is advertised on the bottle to have double hops, malt, and alcohol, I had assumed that this would have a strong and rich floral aroma with citrus notes. Plus with a name that evokes massive size of dinosaurs, I assumed this would be a hop head beer. I was surprised because the aromas were flat, and seemed to waft up slowly when giving the glass a whirl.

Taste: Bitter, with very subtle hop, slightly sour, and a spicy finish on the swallow. While there is little carbonation in the glass, the beer gave a bitter bite which was improved with the carbonation in the mouth. The beer had an astringent quality, with less notable “big hops” but had a slightly sour finish. If you are looking for a bright, hoppy DIPA with floral and citrus notes, this is not the beer. However, as it warmed, the carbonation seemed to give the beer some bite. I am not seeing how this is a DIPA, it seemed like a regular IPA.

Mouthfeel: Little to no coating, bitter on the finish which leaves a dry mouth, and gets you ready for that next sip. The body of the beer is watery and thin. I think this would complement slightly spicy food (such as Indian or Thai).

Overall: I really wanted to like this beer because I love DIPA’s. Although it was not what I expected (to be clear, I was looking for a big floral nose of lychee and citrus - but I am not holding this beer to my expectation) I stuck with it to see how the flavor may change. This is where I picked up spice, and thought about how the beer may be an excellent choice with ethnic foods. To me, beer styles should be creative and flexible, so if you are a DIPA lover, or getting into them, I would recommend a quaff.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2011 19:16:20 | More by slammgrass

Centennial

Pennsylvania

5/5  rDev +23.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

22oz bomber split into tulip

A. Glowing golden Orange with good clarity. 2 finger head in the form of thousands of perfectly round tiny bubbles of carbonation bonded in tight cohesion.

S. Citrus, pine, grapefruit and grassy freshness, a lot of aroma hops have been used in this one.

T. Great dry citrus hops hit first, mild malt subdue slightly, but the hops sure stand on their own and take center stage. 8.8% abv is amazingly hidden in this wonderful earthy and refreshing Dipa.

M. Crisp, clean, but hop munchyness and flavors coat the mouth and leave a remarkably nice flavor on the palate.

O. Awesome DIPA, I can't really find one bad thing to say about it. This would be one of my go to dipa's if it was available in my area.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2011 16:06:42 | More by Centennial

omnigrits

Texas

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

22oz bottle into a perfect pint glass.

A. A slightly hazy orange-copper colour with some vigorous carbonation and a persistent white head.

S. The aroma is strongly bready at first, giving way to some citrus notes.

T. An immediate hit of grapefruit. It's not overpowering so there must be some balancing malt sweetness in there but I have to concentrate to taste it, and when I do it comes with strong hints of toffee. This is a citrus hop bomb for sure.

M. Medium-bodied, slightly bitter finish, and the carbonation that looked so lively at first pour is thankfully unobtrusive.

O. Nice, but a shade one-dimensional. It's just all about grapefruit. It could definitely be more rounded.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2011 02:24:22 | More by omnigrits

aficionado

New Jersey

4.15/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Murky dark orange to light brown body with fizzy carbonation and a 1-1/2 finger off white head with a yellow tinge that leaves behind decent lacing.

Interesting smell and taste. Very fruity and bursting with grapefruit and lychee along with some sugar cane and bready malts. Overall, pretty dry. The floral and tropical highlights are quite intriguing. Smoothly bittered, but VERY bitter, yet quite aromatic at the same time (you usually don't get both at high marks). Very different from what I have sampled so far. Points for uniqueness.

Creamy mouthfeel. Strange, but appealing. Moderately high body with a decent amount of fizzy carbonation up front that quickly dissipates.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2011 17:38:43 | More by aficionado