Epic Hop Zombie - Epic Brewing Company

durlta

Iowa

4.25/5  rDev +0.5%

01-26-2013 15:23:55 | More by durlta

ACB

California

4.71/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

I am not very into doing in depth reviews of beer, but I really feel like this one deserves a bolster.

I had this alongside Pliny, Heady, Alpha King, Simtra, and some other great IPAs.

It more than held up, and quite honestly, even trumped some of the big guys. The smell is incredible, and it has all of the citrus/piney taste you could want but also has a very strong but well balanced malt backbone.

I've been lucky enough to get two more pretty fresh bottles, and I really recommend trying it if you see it around.

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2013 19:59:59 | More by ACB

Mersh

Connecticut

4.5/5  rDev +6.4%

06-16-2013 02:45:33 | More by Mersh

Wowcoolman

California

4.25/5  rDev +0.5%

06-16-2013 02:38:51 | More by Wowcoolman

SFACRKnight

Colorado

3.5/5  rDev -17.3%

06-09-2013 11:58:18 | More by SFACRKnight

IPAchris

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -5.4%

06-07-2013 14:25:14 | More by IPAchris

CoryR

Oregon

4/5  rDev -5.4%

06-04-2013 19:01:17 | More by CoryR

Rob315

Kentucky

4.5/5  rDev +6.4%

05-16-2013 18:12:36 | More by Rob315

duobob

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +0.5%

05-16-2013 03:01:14 | More by duobob

auggie

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +12.3%

05-15-2013 03:17:08 | More by auggie

Mendicant

Australia

4/5  rDev -5.4%

05-13-2013 09:22:59 | More by Mendicant

discharmingly

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -11.3%

05-08-2013 13:58:27 | More by discharmingly

dalepryor

Kentucky

4/5  rDev -5.4%

05-07-2013 20:46:06 | More by dalepryor

Immortale25

Florida

4.05/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a Dogfish Spiegelau glass. Bottleneck says 25.09(?).13

A- Pours a clean light amber color with a 1/2 inch off-white head that retains well before becoming a thick ring around the edge of the glass and a mostly full sheet of surface foam. Very resilient lacing clings heavily to the glass.

S- Sharp, grassy hops emanate from the head creating a wonderful bouquet that includes notes of grapefruit and lemon. Slight whiff of booze and some must.

T- Taste isn't quite as exciting with a mild bitterness and a bit more of a bready malt presence. Still very drinkable and the hops have a tangy quality that's enjoyable.

M- Oily and sticky with medium carbonation and a lighter body.

O- Quite good but not as to-die-for as the Armageddon IPA.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2013 03:17:42 | More by Immortale25

doucmehu

Wisconsin

4.5/5  rDev +6.4%

04-27-2013 04:24:20 | More by doucmehu

VTHeady

Vermont

4.5/5  rDev +6.4%

04-24-2013 20:37:06 | More by VTHeady

MasterSki

Illinois

4.04/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Served in a Darkness tulip. Purchased at West Lakeview Liquors. Best before September 25th, 2013, but not sure how old that makes this? Probably somewhere in the 3-6 range, but who knows?

A – Two fingers of white foam settle to a solid cap, thicker collar, and a few specks of lacing. Transparent golden body with visible bubbles adhering to the sides of the glass and rising upward rapidly.

S – Plenty of melon and pineapple, with notes of dank weed, pine, grapefruit zest, and gooseberry – this thankfully doesn’t seem as aged as the 8 Wired beer I had. Seems like a mix of American and New Zealand hops. There’s a more pronounced malt bill than I was expecting, with more caramel, honey, and nougat mixing with initial crackery notes as this warms up.

T – Taste is fairly balanced, with sweet caramel and buttered biscuit pilsner malt yielding to citrus and tropical fruits and perhaps a mild herbal note. No hint of the listed alcohol which is a plus, and fairly restrained bitterness as well.

M – Somewhat zesty carbonation, medium body that’s creamy and mildly chewy, some malt stickiness that lingers, with a bit of resinous hop oil in the finish as well. Again, no trace of the 8.5%.

D – I suspect this was really excellent when it was fresh, but unfortunately these New Zealand beers seem to take a long time to make it to our market. Perhaps jrallen34 can confirm this suspicion for me. Not worth $12 with tons of local DIPAs available, but nice to know that breweries in this part of the world make some quality hoppy brews in case I end up there for some reason. Had no problem drinking all 500ml on my own.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2013 17:09:31 | More by MasterSki

bigbeerfan

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +6.4%

04-12-2013 15:45:56 | More by bigbeerfan

HopHeadCnK

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev -11.3%

04-04-2013 05:32:58 | More by HopHeadCnK

Jonbw

Mississippi

4.5/5  rDev +6.4%

04-01-2013 17:20:06 | More by Jonbw

WolfsbaneBloom

Illinois

4.48/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Pours a super clear, bright gold with a chunky and frothy two fingers of white foam.

Smell: Pleasantly soft and mellow aroma of overripe mango, orange, guava and apricot.

Taste: Smooth and mildly tangy grapefruit with pine, muted floral notes and an unmistakable pilsner malt backbone. Very clean and refreshing.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, good carbonation, tingly on the tongue, with a really nice, smooth finish.

Overall, I really enjoyed this double IPA from New Zealand brewery Epic. There's nothing too unique about it but it's refreshing, flavorful and well balanced for an 8.5% beer. I'm not a huge pilsner fan but I actually enjoyed the flavor and crisp mouthfeel that those malts imparted here. It works really nicely with the combination of fruity New Zealand and American hops. I must also note that this was still super tasty after it had significantly warmed. It really mellows out and goes down satiny smooth but brings just a touch of alcohol in the finish. My first beer from New Zealand and a really pleasing, filtered double IPA.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2013 17:03:37 | More by WolfsbaneBloom

Jeremy6566

Arizona

4/5  rDev -5.4%

03-25-2013 17:36:18 | More by Jeremy6566

FondueVoodoo

British Columbia (Canada)

4.31/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A: Perfectly clear and richly golden with a warm glow of apricot. Some active columns of carbonation percolating upward to a mircofilm of bubbles that rim the glass.

S: Pine with juicy tropical fruits of pineapple and grapefruit rounded with smooth vanilla. As the ale warmed the distinct floral characteristic of orange flower water is revealed.

T: Sappy pines up front followed quick with a bouquet of flowers, primarily orange flower water, with tropical fruits and grapefruit and smooth golden malts. Finishes hoppy and rounded with smooth oaky flavours.

M: Coats the mouth with a viscosity similar to an oaked chardonnay, in the smooth warming feeling. Carbonation pricks up front, however seems to lose the carbonation rather quick - my was nearly flat before I even finished the glass. Despite that, the smooth presence with just a hint of warming alcohol at the end worked well together.

O: Hop Zombie is incredibly floral with oaky smoothness and a perfect balance of hops and malts. It's smell of fresh citrus and pine and tastes of orange flower water are delicate and warming - while still refreshing and quaffable. Similar in taste and smell to Central City's Red Racer, a terrific drink.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2013 02:23:05 | More by FondueVoodoo

SpdKilz

Illinois

4/5  rDev -5.4%

03-25-2013 02:03:16 | More by SpdKilz

heygeebee

Australia

2.74/5  rDev -35.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 1.25

From IBS. No BB. On special, and not fridged... Hmmm... Should alarm bells be ringing?

Pours clear amber, head looks good, and lacing is on the money, clinging in lines.

Aromas mainly of vanillas.

Taste is smooth and creamy, lingering.

Mouthfeel creamy, low carbonation.

Hang on, have I just reviewed Hop,Zombie?

Really, in this case, all Hops are alive and well. None were harmed in the making of this beer. Really not sure what's going on, but it tastes more like maybe Imperial Pilsner?

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2013 05:38:14 | More by heygeebee