Hop'solutely - Allentown Brew Works

ThisWangsChung

Maryland

3.55/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to Momar42 for the bottle! 12 oz bottle into a Duvel tulip.

A: Pours a hazy dark amber color overall. I intentionally poured this one with a large head in mind - and ended up with a three finger offwhite head. Retention is actually pretty good for 11.5%, and once it recedes, it leaves consistent, thick-looking spiderweb lacing on the glass.

S: VERY fruity. There are dark fruit notes from the alcohol (very much in a rum raisin expression), along side dank orange, melon, and cannabis notes from the hops. Seems to be very sweet, too. Not all of the aromatic notes featured are great, but I love how bold the nose is, at least.

T: Due to its age, I'm reviewing it as a barleywine, not a TIPA (aren't they really one and the same anyways?) It opens very sweetly on the tongue. Lots of orange, grapefruit, melon, lychee and sweet caramel malts will soon give way to a light pine and black pepper past the midtaste. Its finish is somewhat alcoholic, earthy, and even a bit leathery. Weed-like characteristics pop up once it warms sufficiently. The booze character is still rather strong - so for that reason, it's hard to drink. On the plus side, it has a good level of depth so as to not bore the palate.

M: The booze is felt quite readily throughout the mouth and stomach. This is due to its dry nature on the finish and aftertaste. Breaking up the dryness is both an accumulating syrupy linger and resiny hop quality. Admittedly its lack of delicacy and mildly harsh nature renders it taxing on the palate after a while.

O: Not the most beautiful or elegant beer by any means, but just like a sledgehammer, it gets the job done. I doubt this is anywhere near as good as PtY (as one of the testimonials on the website says), though having said that it's a worthy offering. Basically, if you liked Founders Devil Dancer, you'll probably like this too.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2013 22:23:46 | More by ThisWangsChung

InspectorBob

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev 0%

05-19-2013 15:11:41 | More by InspectorBob

jakeox

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev 0%

05-19-2013 01:44:40 | More by jakeox

dan027

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +6.7%

05-17-2013 02:27:32 | More by dan027

Gww1864

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +13.3%

05-12-2013 21:22:20 | More by Gww1864

twenty5

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev 0%

05-10-2013 18:54:20 | More by twenty5

ThreeFishes

Florida

3.75/5  rDev 0%

05-02-2013 23:41:32 | More by ThreeFishes

HumphreyLee

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +6.7%

05-02-2013 02:36:20 | More by HumphreyLee

sdtardio

Maryland

4.25/5  rDev +13.3%

04-29-2013 01:13:49 | More by sdtardio

Radwagon

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev 0%

04-27-2013 00:05:12 | More by Radwagon

Jason1337

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev 0%

04-25-2013 18:31:48 | More by Jason1337

Phillyz

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -6.7%

04-24-2013 01:12:46 | More by Phillyz

wayngrove

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +6.7%

04-20-2013 02:47:34 | More by wayngrove

anthonypw

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +20%

04-16-2013 15:58:59 | More by anthonypw

slashes2

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +20%

04-09-2013 22:23:44 | More by slashes2

UncleNeighborChris

Pennsylvania

2/5  rDev -46.7%

04-05-2013 14:44:17 | More by UncleNeighborChris

Casey3236

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev 0%

03-31-2013 08:18:37 | More by Casey3236

grimey68

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev 0%

03-31-2013 00:56:34 | More by grimey68

ucis

Minnesota

4/5  rDev +6.7%

03-25-2013 18:36:42 | More by ucis

kangarooAdam59

Pennsylvania

3.99/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Can only hold on to this for so long:

NCAA basketball drew me out, oh well

Into a chalice:

A: golden yellow/orange colored body with a one finger white foamy head with decent lacing

S: spicey through the hops as it warms

T: spicey again, malts come out slightly

M: medium, slightly sessionable - maybe one or two, sweet aftertaste

O: ok, I believe I'm officially done for the day; very good for the style, and I`ll have again

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2013 11:41:11 | More by kangarooAdam59

57md

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev 0%

03-12-2013 05:06:43 | More by 57md

AilHead

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -6.7%

03-12-2013 00:09:00 | More by AilHead

Damian74Shensky

South Carolina

4/5  rDev +6.7%

03-10-2013 16:28:01 | More by Damian74Shensky

alelover

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev 0%

03-10-2013 00:28:53 | More by alelover

fpreh1957

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +6.7%

03-08-2013 23:46:04 | More by fpreh1957