Ace Of Spades - Hopworks Urban Brewery

tempest

Pennsylvania

4.47/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Man Hopworks is awesome. They're about the only organic brewery I've sampled that only happens to use organic ingredients.

Anyways, the beer holds a nice tall white and looks a clear amber. There's a big, floral bouquet of herbal citrus rind and lemon zest with mild toast, perfume and garden aromas. The flavor starts with a fresh-squeezed orange note and then dives into spicy, earthy (like a fresh root) tastes. There's a hint of citrus-flavored hard candy and leafy grassy notes. The finish is big and bitter, but doesn't knock out your palate completely. This brew does a great job of mixing fruit and natural hop flavors. Damn it's good.

Serving type: on-tap

03-12-2010 22:40:52 | More by tempest

Reagan1984

Massachusetts

4.45/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

When asking Craig at 99 Bottles which of the local IPA/DPA’s I had to pick up he quickly mentioned this as one of the choices. I really am glad he did. Shared this with a buddy last night and really enjoyed it.

Soapy off white head builds aggressively as you pour the beer. Very bright and clear brass/amber color with just a touch of carbonation escaping to the surface. Tons of soapy lacing clings to the glass.

Aroma was fantastic and bursting with juicy resinous hops. There was a freshness that was terrific and a melding of some bright citrus scents with some green grassy notes and a moment of floral pine.

Pretty complex flavor profile. All about the hops, but just below the surface there were some neat malty things happening. I was getting some almond at times, which I still can’t explain to myself. But it was very nice. There was a sense of the elevated abv, but in no way was this “hot?

A sticky, juicy mouth feel. Bright and fresh.

H.U.B. always does a great job and this beer is no exception. Excellent DPA

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2011 14:03:01 | More by Reagan1984

Docer

Washington

4.43/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Yay, had on-tap finally for lunch today....

- Rather clear copper amber... small white head, mild to little lacing....

- Huge citrus smell.. some pine, and floral notes... a hop forward monster with subtle caramel and roasty grain scent....

- Wonderfully smooth and balanced double IPA... huge citrus hop, some pine.. caramel and roasty flavors...

- Not sticky or overly oily which is shocking to me... not even all that dry.... almost a thirst quenching IIPA... if that makes sense!

- Huge huge marks on drinkability... might be too hoppy for some... but this hides any sign of being 9.2% alcohol by far.... certainly zesty and fruity.

Serving type: on-tap

08-26-2009 22:12:55 | More by Docer

grittybrews

Washington

4.43/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured a rich sunset amber into a tulip with a finger of quick-receding off-white head. Juicy aroma of grapefruit, orange, and pine with just the slightest hint of boozy warmth.

Moderate carbonation and a thick, syrupy, resinous mouthfeel. Lots of grapefruit and orange citrus up front followed by just the right amount of sweet caramel malt that lingers for quite a while before the pine bitterness shows up towards the finish.

A little sweet but with plenty of hops to balance and just enough alcohol warmth to keep things interesting. Really a treat.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2011 04:04:42 | More by grittybrews

ottovon

Arizona

4.43/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: a clean copper color with an off white head.

S: citrus hops at first. then you get some nice melon flavors, some peach, orange peel, and some nice piney aromas. just a really nice and clean hop aroma.

T: just like the aroma. citrus, peach, piney, and some caramel. it is dry and bitter.

M: has a good medium-thin mouthfeel with good carb for the style.

O: this is a solid offering, that I wish i could get more.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2011 05:10:20 | More by ottovon

UMNbeerhunter

Minnesota

4.43/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured in to an HotD tulip on 4/13/11.

Pours a beautiful golden amber with two fingers of frothy off white head that dissipates quickly leaving almost no lacing. Not very much head retention in this beer but it looks very nice post pour before the head disappears.

Smells of carmel malts and then the hops hit you. Tons of hop notes to pick out for my underdeveloped nose... Citrus grapefruit and others. This really made my mouth water.

Taste is a lot of the same. I get the sweet malt taste that comes through very well but then a nice mix of fruity hops. Still has some booze flavor but very delicious.

Mouth feel is a medium weight. It goes through the palette smooth with some alcohol burn on the backside. Some resin that leaves a little of hops bite left over.

Drinkability on this one is high. Takes a little hit because of the alcohol burn but the juicy hops and malt balance is great. Well balanced and hey! Its organic and certified carbon neutral according to the bottle which I can dig. Good beer I will definitely be asking for this one from my Portland trading partners.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2011 00:06:03 | More by UMNbeerhunter

OakedCanuck

Washington

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

22oz bottle poured into cervoise.

A - Pours a clear, deep amber. Very little head formation, almost none. Minor lacing remained. I would have liked to see a nice rocky head, but no big deal.

S - The whole gamut of hoppy bitterness smell here. Mostly tropical fruit, grapefruit, tangerine, papaya, lemon. Pine and juniper as well.

T - Hop bomb here. Lots of flavour exactly like the nose. All kinds of juicy citric hops. Grapefruit, orange and some grassy graininess to it. I picked up very minor, almost non-existant, malts.

M - Slight heat at back of mouth due to high ABV, sticky, very drying.

O - This is an awesome IIPA, a true hop lovers beer. It would have been nice to have a touch more maltiness, but really not a big deal as this beer is all about the hops. Delicious.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2011 14:34:40 | More by OakedCanuck

jellikit

Washington

4.38/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: orange-orange. No head. Just small bubbles. Not much lacing. Thin and quick.

Smell: faint floral and a little orange peel. Not in your face aroma.

Taste: hate to say it, but orange peel and more citrus. Not too powerful. But hops linger for a few. Balanced well with the high alcohol level.

Mouthfeel: Medium-high carbonation. Medium-large. Not thick, but full body. Think Jenny McCarthy.

Overall: hoppy taste and strong bittering make this a hoppy, strong beer. Good. I would buy it again.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2012 04:05:06 | More by jellikit

goatgoat

California

4.35/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured into Sam Adams pint.

Pours a hazy burnished copper and gold. Moderate tan head with no lace. Big hop aroma, a slap of citrus, grapefruit and some pine. Taste starts strong, the bitter comes in quick, big and clean. Feel is resiny, chewy. Tasty.

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2010 19:27:32 | More by goatgoat

slaintemhor

Oregon

4.33/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had this in September of 2009 at the Hopworks Urban Brewery in Portland, Oregon. The colour was orange-amber with no had at all. The aroma was full of citrus skin and pine pitch. On the palate, a burst of froth followed by piney, resin-like hops in front and more citrus-like hops on the soft and back palate. Highly cloying, but not in such a manner as to be offensive [to me]. I thoroughly enjoyed the long, bitter finish that lingered for many minutes.

Serving type: on-tap

02-10-2010 05:03:13 | More by slaintemhor

ElGordo

Oregon

4.33/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from the 22oz bottle into a Gordon tulip glass. Body is a a pretty orange-amber color, topped by just a thin ring of creamy head that doesn't leave much lacing. Huge aroma of hops, hops, and more hops. Grapefruit and weed are the primary notes, balanced by a bit of sweet caramel malt.
Palate is sweet up front, the caramel malt blending with a slightly vinous hop character. The citrusy character comes through towards the back of the tongue, bringing out grapefruit and weed. A decent amount of heat makes its way through on the finish and builds long after the swallow.
Body is thick and full, alternately sticky and creamy. For something this super-hoppy and strong, it goes down pretty easily. One of my favorite brews each year, the Ace is difficult to trump.

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2010 06:28:31 | More by ElGordo

Kakaraht

British Columbia (Canada)

4.33/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a crisp amber with a finger of light tan head than has good retention.

S: Wow, super malty with raisins and caramel, The hops have a very floral and bitter like aroma.

T: Almost like a barleywine, the delicious malt body has sweet brown sugar and caramel flavor, and the bitter citrus like flavor of the hops balances it out perfectly. The alcohol and a nice warm burn to the beer as it warms.

M: Heavy body, medium carbonation and a warm round character.

D: A little expensive at $25 dollars a bottle, but ohh so tasty.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2011 01:38:00 | More by Kakaraht

benpopper

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a Stolzle Beer Glass a great bright amber with an inch of off white head that fades fast leaving behind only the faintest signs of lacing.

Smelled fantastic and Strong! There are a lot of differnt fruity smells in there but the one I got most of seemed to be grapefruit esk. made me want to swim in it.

Taste is very similar, but very surprised and happy to to get a whole lot of alcohol. Sweet malt taste surrounded by fruity hops.

Feels pretty good in your mouth. Drinks easily with a little heat on the tail end. Bitter finishing, but not so much you don't want to go right back in.

This drinks great. Much closer to a very hoppy IPA than the double I'd say. Wanted more of it, but there were different bottles to be drank!

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2011 20:43:57 | More by benpopper

gford217

Georgia

4.33/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to hopburster for this 22oz bottle.

Pours deep, clear amber with a creamy egg-shell head that recedes quickly to a soapy cap leaving only bits of lacing on the sides.

Lots of citrus in the nose with grapefruit and pineapple, takes on a sweet juicy character. There is a light malt sweetness in there but it takes a backseat to the juicy hops.

Pithy, bitter grapefruit right up front on the tongue with a hefty alcohol burn that lingers through the finish as well. There is enough malty sweetness to keep things balanced but the bitterness of the oily hops is what I'll remember in the taste.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied and really stick with hop juice. Soft carbonation and a spicy alcohol coating on the palate.

For those of you who like their DIPAs pithy with grapefruit and don't mind some alcohol presence, this is a really nice beer. Since I put myself in that category, I have to say I enjoyed this one.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2011 03:04:37 | More by gford217

2xHops

Texas

4.33/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - The color looks golden and cloudy when you tries to look through it. It certainly isn't transparent, and for me it means it will have at least some body.

Taste - It tastes very citrus-like while very hoppy at the same time. It's why I like Imperial IPAs more than the usual fare you see with breweries offering ordinary IPAs.

Mouthfeel - The beer lingers in your mouth for a while, and the finish is certainly hoppy.

With a strong ABV and higher price point, I imagine there's not a lot of people that would buy this beer regularly. However, it's definitely something I would want to drink once in a while when I'm in the mood for an Imperial IPA. It's also nice to see that you can brew quality beer that is organic.

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2011 01:25:25 | More by 2xHops

NorCalYeti

California

4.33/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

taste- citrusy hops, compact bitter hop finish, butterscotch flavors

color- orange amber

clarity- pours clear but dense in glass

smell- complex notes, citrusy hops, must, candy

body- compact bitter hop finish

appearance- thin slightly off-white spotty carbonation and lacing, good carbonation when agitated in the glass

overall impression- above average double ipa, nice presentation on the palate, well balanced, beer opens when consumed but not overly so, nice lingering character with hop bite at the front of the mouth and nice sour/bitter character on the sides and back of the mouth, not a "hot", over the top abv which makes it easy to drink...thumbs up. beer is a nice example of the style

beer spy- ashland or, june 2011, 22oz

glassware: tulip

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2011 03:23:00 | More by NorCalYeti

zeff80

Missouri

4.28/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Poured out a clear, copper color with red highlights. It had a one-finger, khaki colored head with good retention. It left thin rings of lace.

S - Great aroma. Grapefruit and bubblegum dominate this one with a mix of tropical fruits and caramel.

T - It taste of bubblegum, grapefruit and sweet caramel. Good bitterness from the hops balance out the sweet fruits and caramel.

M - It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A medium bodied ale that hides its high ABV quite well.

D - Simply put - fabulous aroma and a really good tasting DIPA.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2010 01:25:13 | More by zeff80

kitty66

Washington

4.28/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Tastes like a souped-up hopworks ipa. Great hop tang, very piney and oily. Kind of a straight-shooter, would be more interesting with bigger malt body.

Overall a good choice for the cooler days of spring in the rainy northwest, sweet but not syrupy, a kiss of caramel to soften the booze.

Nice artwork on the bottles, might become popular with rock bands.

Rock on ace !

Serving type: on-tap

04-01-2011 23:44:36 | More by kitty66

Derek

British Columbia (Canada)

4.28/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Golden bronze with a white head, ring of retention, nice lace.

S: Lemon, citrus rind, tangerine and pine, cotton candy fruity esters and a little sponge toffee.

T: Lemon rind, tangerine, sponge toffee, pine, solid bitterness, candied pineapple.

M:Moderate body has a light residual sweetness, some hop acidity and a slightly drying alcohol finish.

D/O: Easy drinker for a DIPA of this strength, nice balance, well-crafted.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2011 00:36:32 | More by Derek

velosuds

Oregon

4.28/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 22oz bomber into a clear pint glass. No freshness date apparent. Paid $8.19 at John's Marketplace in Portland, Oregon.

A-Pours a slightly hazy golden amber color with a two finger, off-white head with good retention and copious lacing.

S-Citrus like hops, especially grapefruit are prominent. Piney hops too. No wonder since three of my favorites are used: Amarillo, Cascade, and Centennial.

T-Good balance between the aggressive bitterness from the hops at 100+ IBUs and the pleasant slightly sweet, bread like and caramel malt base. But at 21.5 degrees Plato (or about 1.090 original gravity) and 9.5% ABV there is a bit more residual sweetness than I like in a DIPA.

M-Very smooth and extremely well balanced with a medium to full body, but I would like this better if it were a bit drier. Nicely carbonated.

O-Another fine beer from a brewery I like to support due to their commitment to organics and sustainability. Well done, Hopworks!

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2011 02:35:12 | More by velosuds

dirtylou

Washington

4.28/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

22oz bomber. It's IPA Day, also, FU GABF

appearance: served in my great lakes chalice, bright orange-copper body, nice white film

smell: candied sugar, orange peel, sugared grapefruit, sweet malt

taste: potent - fiercely hopped, candied grapefruit rind, moderate to high bitterness, orange, pine resin, sticky and bitter

mouthfeel: big, heavily hopped, bitter

overall: enjoy this one - been through 2 bombers and a few drafts

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2012 03:39:14 | More by dirtylou

draheim

Washington

4.25/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bottle into a tulip. Pours a crystal clear amber w/ a 2-finger sudsy off-white head, good retention, lots of sticky lace.

Aroma is grapefruit, pine, and earthy tropical fruits.

Taste is acidic grapefruit rind, pine, mango, peach, and booze, balanced by a blend of caramel and pale malts. Resinous, sticky, and very bitter.

Mouthfeel is slick and a little oily.

Overall a good strong DIPA, perhaps just a little more malt-forward than I prefer. Well-crafted.

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2012 04:57:11 | More by draheim

brentk56

North Carolina

4.23/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours a hazy amber with a somewhat modest head that leaves a few shards behind

Smell: Although this is a very hoppy beer, the malts come through sugary sweet in the aroma; floral citrus is present, as well

Taste: A perfect example of "Man Candy" with sugary caramel flavors balanced out by the grapefruity hops; other tropical fruit flavors build through mid-palate, with gobs of pineapple; finishes sweet, citrusy and bitter

Mouthfeel: Full bodied, with moderate carbonation

Overall: A real delight; an epitome of the West Coast DIPA style

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2012 00:06:00 | More by brentk56

barleywinefiend

Washington

4.22/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured a light amber color with good carbonation and a nice white head

S: Plenty of citrus, pine and floral notes here, an Earthy nose too

T: Pine, floral and grapefruit, lighter orange peel, booze is a kicker, Earthy

M: Pretty warm, just right on bitterness for me, balanced

D: After having another brewsky before prior this beer put a hurt on me.

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2010 15:48:31 | More by barleywinefiend

wordemupg

Alberta (Canada)

4.22/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

650ml bottle poured into tulip april18 2011

A clear deep amber with a couple random bubbles popping up from random places, just a short lived film for a head though and no lace left behind

S big citric hops with some guava, a little toffee and some booze

T lots of rind and a little more booze then I could smell, caramels come out a little more and there's some pine I couldn't smell, pretty nice tasting DIPA

M full bodied for the color and there's more carbonation then what was visible in the glass, slightly sticky on the lips with a big bitter bite and a aftertaste that lingers for a long time

O no real issues with this brew, quite the hop bomb going on here the booze could be better concealed but the heats not unpleasant just noticeable

looks can be deceiving, doesn't look that great but I don't taste with my eyes, pretty expensive here in Alberta at 14$ for a bomber but that being said I'm not upset I bought one

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2011 05:26:24 | More by wordemupg