Hop God - Nebraska Brewing Company

StoneTSR

Colorado

4.45/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

APPEARANCE: Very bright, hazy yellow-ish orange with a lovely quarter-inch of white head on top. The head collapses relatively quickly, but leaves some solid lacing.

SMELL: Huge citrus. Orange peel dominoes with a little banana in the mix.

TASTE: That orange flavor is still dominant with a little corriander, banana and clove behind it. Very well balanced with a nice hop bite, but some sweeter caramel malt and fruity yeast.

MOUTHFEEL: Medium body with a sweet start and a nice dry finish.

OVERALL: This is a beautiful example of the style. It's what an IPA should be and it's what a Belgian beer should be. Not quite sure how they made both work so well in one beer, but I'd have to say this is one of the better Belgian-Style IPAs I've had.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2013 23:00:39 | More by StoneTSR

bucho

4.43/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Wow, this ones a party starter. There's nothing better than a kick start to social gathering. Grab yourself some plastic cups and make your rounds - this one is an instant "buzz" in a bottle. Nothing I'd sit down with to unwind from a busy day, but nice to have when you want to light it up.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2012 21:27:04 | More by bucho

SkeeterBoganski

Colorado

3.8/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Poured from a bomber in to a tulip-pint.

Thanks to MinorThreat for this extra.

A - Nice, crisp-looking golden hues; looks nice and bubbly with an off-white head

S - sweet and bubblegummy; floral-hop; the Belgian yeast stands out here

T - very Belgian-hop hybrid in flavor...in a sense that the two styles are obvious; some candied fruit here; slightly bitter on the back-end; a little spicy; not overly hopped; malty-sweet

M - medium body; chewy; boozy; easy carbonation; pretty smooth up-front but ultimately a little bitter overall

O - really interesting beer and overall a solid Belgian IPA; I'm not real sure what else is around in Nebraska, but this is a pretty decent introduction to NE beer

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2012 23:47:30 | More by SkeeterBoganski

Tucquan

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this on 2011-12-26 in Columbia, PA

A - Very hazy golden orange with a long-lasting pillowy white head and good lacing.

S - Pretty strong aromas of fruity belgian yeast with the emphasis on peach then citrus, some light malt, alcohol, not much hop floral.

T - Really tasty and not what I expected. The Belgian yeast flavors are fairly subdued and the peach flavor is plentiful with a touch of candied orange. There is some hop bitterness; more on the aftertaste and it isn't aggressive. The bitterness is approachable by non-hopheads (like my wife). There's a pleasant sourness in here as well. I'm reminded of a strong Saison.

M - Light-medium body and medium carbonation. It is smooth yet crisp. Not syrupy. A bit resinous.

O - This is a very good beer; a well-done Belgian IPA in the new, western style. Well-balanced and pleasing but not a beer that would be a replacement for the preferred American IPA or DIPA for my palate.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2011 17:48:51 | More by Tucquan

drpimento

Wisconsin

4.28/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A slight difference betwixt this bottle and the draft, as we all recall. Poured with a smallish off white, fine head and plenty of lace. Color is slightly hazy, burnished bright brass. Aroma is yeast, malt, hop, sour, fruit. Flavor's almost exactly like nose with the addition of carbonic tang. Body and carbonation are great. Finish is like flavor with the tartness along with fruit lingering longer. Interesting beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2011 01:36:31 | More by drpimento

smakawhat

Maryland

3.48/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured on tap into a small snifter at Churchkey DC. From notes.

A very cloudy lemon body, quite orb glowing, with a very sudsy and cream bleach white heat. Lots of thick lacing.

Nose is kind of strange. A mushy wet malt sense, and lots of candied sugars. Very sweet smelling, and there's almost a macro like sense of smell to this also. Gets better as it warms up letting some fruit apple and pear and spice. Unfortunately alcohol fusel heat starts to dominate.

First sip is a dry hop bite of pine, with a very light mouthfeel and moderate carbonation. Luckily much of the biting alcohol is maksed on the palate with a sense of creamy density to go with the feel. Hop action and sweetness seem to be out of balance, and don't really compliment each other.

Overall it's sort of a weird one, drinkable, but not feeling the love here.

Serving type: on-tap

03-29-2013 12:49:08 | More by smakawhat

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.23/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Nebraska Hop God
On tap at The Twisted Cork, Omaha, Nebraska 12/24/2012

Strong hoppy Belgian Golden Ale: Hazy deep gold body with an orange cast. Some golden highlights through the hazy body when held to the light. Bright white head holds well / creamy collar. Excellent lacing! Spice and malt in the aroma. Coriander. Mild bubblegum. Fruit. Wafts of grass and light yeast. Flavor: Spicy with coriander, perhaps cardamom, black pepper, clove, apple/citrus, alcohol, some minor yeasty chalkiness, bold bitterness. Hops in the finish. Impressive. Rounded, but to a certain extent, "unconfined". Nice. Well worth trying.

Serving type: on-tap

12-25-2012 02:29:31 | More by NeroFiddled

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

3.75/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from tap into tulip at crescent pub in omaha. Pours a hazy holden straw with about 3 fingers head. Big belgian yeast aromas with a good citrusy hop note. Taste is mild belgian hop. Its very typical of the stil but a bit dry. Easy drinker and pleasant. All around decent but not amazing.

Serving type: on-tap

11-14-2012 23:50:50 | More by DrinkSlurm

katan

Colorado

3.88/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Growler picked up a the restaurant

A - Pours a golden hue, fairly bright. Clear and effervescent with lots of bubbles clinging to the side.

S - Huge amount of esters, sweet, citrus, little bit of bubble gum. Hopping is not coming through very strongly.

T - Starts off smooth and sweet, a combination of malts and a bit of citrus hops. Mid-stream gets more of the fruity esters and a second fiddle of citrus hops. Finishes mostly clean with some pilsner malt sweetness sticking to the palette. Some alcohol warmth in the finish.

M - moderate body and light on the carbonation. Has a sticky sweet mouthfeel to it. Alcohol is very noticeable.

OD - A good belgian IPA that wasn't as hoppy as I thought it would be. This beer may have some variability as I thought the stuff on tap was stronger. Worth a try for a burgeoning style.

Serving type: growler

09-03-2012 03:27:43 | More by katan

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

2.35/5  rDev -41%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Pours a cloudy yellow, looked more like a bretted beer than an ipa, but anyways, it had about 3/4" of white head on it, decent lacing.

Aroma, for something named Hop God, this was woefully inadequate in terms of its hop presence, much less any dry hopping. Phenolic belgian yeast is way more noticeable, and lots of alcohol.

Taste, ugh, jeez man, where's the dang hops? All I get is the belgian aspect of this. Lots of herbality and some pepper. Alcohol plenty easy to taste, its a large component of the flavor profile. Alcohol dominates, I can't really taste any citrus, hops etc. . . its just a bunch of alcohol heat and belgian yeast.

Really disappointed in this one. There's no way I shell out the huge bucks for a bottle of Nebraska stuff after having this. An even bigger disappointment than Mo Betta Bretta at the FW Invitational.

Serving type: on-tap

07-19-2012 20:44:15 | More by Beerandraiderfan

FightingEntropy

Minnesota

4.23/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Stark white head that looks creamy in the tulip glass. Hazy gold to amber. Peppery spice in the nose, very Belgian yeasty. Hop is clear but under the spice. Strong hop bite on the tongue, but smoothed by the Belgian characteristics, especially the vinuous and oily traits. Nose opens up as it warms, the body lightens and the yeasty characteristics become more assertive, and, to be expected, the nearly 10% alcohol becomes more apparent in the taste. Good a several temperatures, this is a great beer to sip.

Serving type: on-tap

07-19-2012 20:18:57 | More by FightingEntropy

DCon

Missouri

4.48/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Enjoyed on-tap @ the East Nashville Beer Festival in East Nashville, TN. Tapped from the Hop God handle into my 8oz Yazoo Festival Glass.

Aroma- The aroma starts with a big time Beligan and floral hop aroma. A fairly strong yeast strain is present as well. Tons of fruit and the presence of malt is well blended.

Appearance- Received with a 1 finger head that has average head retention. The color of the body is deep golden. Leaves suds behind.

Flavor- The hop flavor in this one is medium but very sweet and fruity. A bit of spice and yeast come in throughout the flavor and helps characterize this one as a Belgian IPA. High Bitterness level at the finish.

Mouthfeel- Medium-Full Bodied, Medium Carbonation, Smooth, and finishes with TONS of fruit and hop flavors on the palate.

Overall Impression- A great brew from Nebraska. I have never purchased a bottle of this b/c of the price point but now interested in splitting again with a friend. I highly recommend if you have a need for a perfect example of a Belgian style IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

04-09-2012 18:07:59 | More by DCon

TheSarge

Illinois

4.65/5  rDev +16.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Served to me in a tulip glass, this beer makes about a finger thick bright white head and the body is hazy with a copper color.

The aroma is citrus with heavy doses of caramel.

The taste is of grapefruit, melon, and candied sugar.

Feels moderately carbonated, full in body, and warming in the end.

Serving type: on-tap

03-22-2012 21:40:13 | More by TheSarge

DocSkalski

Minnesota

4.9/5  rDev +23.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I went and had a growler filled with Hop God at a local grocery store, with no previous knowledge of the brew....and wow, quite a pleasant surprise I must say. A bountiful citrus and complex hop aroma is noted up front, followed by visualization of a crystal clear amber pour with an expected two finger head. Taste is overtly malty and sweet with a smooth hop finish, noting bold notes of tempered red fruit, typical of Belgian yeasts yet perfectly complementing the grain bill which I assume included the infamous Special B malt. Palate is thick and reminiscent of an imperial stout, which is always a plus with a crystal clear IPA like this (in my book). Pleasantly surprising. Overall, worth the price and I will definitely buy more. This may even out-compete Surly Furious in my book.

Serving type: growler

01-01-2012 03:31:35 | More by DocSkalski

distantmantra

Washington

3.48/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Nebraska Brewing Company. December 26th, 2011.

A: The beer poured a cloudy yellow-orange color, very reminiscent of a Hefeweizen. There was a tiny head of a creamy white foam that floated on the surface. Decent lacing clung to the sides of the glass throughout.

A: There is a very strong aroma of sweet malt, Belgian yeast and candy sugar, along with a nice backbone of citrus hops.

T: Very Belgian in a very big way. Lots of honey, yeast and candy sugar. The hops are more prominent than you'd think from the aroma.

M: Pretty heavy body with a thick mouthfeel. Intense carbonation which greatly helps with overall body of the beer.

O: Hop God is good, but definitely not the best Belgian IPA I've ever had. However, as this was the "flagship" beer at NBC, I had to try it. Worth your money if you find yourself in Papillion.

Serving type: on-tap

12-27-2011 04:12:55 | More by distantmantra

BeerImmediately

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

First time that I've seen the regular Hop God in PA... so had to get me a growler! (p.s. this picture is wrong and needs to be changed... will submit new one)

Pours with a short white head over a considerably clean/clear golden body w/decent amount of carbonation flowing up. Great lacing.

Belgian yeast, orange, and grapefruit greet the nose. Fairly rich sweetness in the back. Not terribly strong overall.

Rich on the palate, with lots of bready/yeasty paste, herbal, pine, grapefruit, all blend well. Good bitterness, but smooth, the way a Belgian IPA should be. The overall mouthfeel is a bit sticky and rich, but it is 10% after all.

Very enjoyable. Not sure I'd rank it among the very best in the category, but it's damn close to a top 3 in my book.

Serving type: growler

11-30-2011 00:58:20 | More by BeerImmediately

LittleDon

Texas

3.73/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A pint at the Beer Kitchen in Kansas City on 10/15/11.

Golden yellow with a white head with average retention and little lace. A bit on the cloudy side. More Belgian than IPA, but definitely keeping in the style. Earthy hops to go along with spicy, nutmeg characteristics. Big bodied and medium high carbonation.

Serving type: on-tap

10-21-2011 19:06:26 | More by LittleDon

zeff80

Missouri

4.3/5  rDev +8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Flying Saucer, KC.

A - Poured a slightly cloudy, golden orange color with a one-finger, white head of bubbly foam. It left thin rings of lace on the glass.

S - It smelled of grapefruit, mango, other tropical fruits. Lots of sweet aromas, too, almost like cotton candy.

T - It tasted of mango and grapefruit with a bitter hop bite. Some nice caramel sweetness make for a good backbone.

M - It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A medium bodied ale with a dry finish.

O - This is a fantastic Belgian IPA. So glad I tried this one on tap at Flying Saucer.

Serving type: on-tap

10-20-2011 02:22:26 | More by zeff80

cosmicevan

New York

3.38/5  rDev -15.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

16oz growler picked up locally about an hour ago...

a - through the growler, a deep murky orange with a nod towards the color brown...as i poured it into my capt lawrence taster glass it settled with the same murk but had an attractive off white classic ipa head.

s - more belgian saison than ipa. very bubble gum with a bit of earth. banana bread is heavy and there is some clove. some hopping sweetness, but not the citric blast that you'd look for in an ipa...way more tripel/bpa that being said, smells rather nice.

t - a bit odd at first. seems like a lot of things competing for attention. there is some hop bitterness but on top of a lot of bubble gum and banana. feels like it is having a bit of an identity crisis.

m - a bit fizzy. finishes sweet and sour.

o - this beer was missing that umph from the hops that i was hoping for. i've had a few really nice belgian ipas and this beer has the belgian (tripel/bpa), but not the ipa. more saison like to me or even more belgian pale ale or tripel.

Serving type: growler

09-11-2011 00:03:06 | More by cosmicevan

Forb

Nebraska

4.03/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at Nebraska Brewing Co....

Appearance: A hazy, bubbly, golden body is presented here with little head.

Smell/Taste: A complex smell of spicy yeast, among vibrantly bitter hop notes. At 10% it present that sharp taste amid a convoluted taste of earthy hop elements.

Mouthfeel: Really carbonated with a dry finish.

Overall: A must try from this brewery.

Serving type: on-tap

07-31-2011 18:53:53 | More by Forb

Gtreid

Florida

4/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the sugar maple in Milwaukee. Poured into a sniffer.

A: cloudy orange color. The pour dropped a finger of cream colored head that retained well and left nice lacing.

A: Sweet malt and candi sugar is prominent. Citrus hop notes take a backseat in the nose. The Belgian aspects of this beer are there is a big way.

T: again this is unmistakably Belgian. Big candi sugar and sweet honey. Hops are a bit more prevalent then The nose would suggest. Distinct Belgian yeast strain as well. Finishes dry and sweet.

M: Heavy body and thick. Good carbonation, which is needed for this beer.

O: Belgian ipa's are usually not my thing, but this one is 't bad. Couldn't have too many due to the heavy nature of the brew, but one I would have again. Skal.

Serving type: on-tap

07-26-2011 19:38:07 | More by Gtreid

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.22/5  rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

small growler sent as an extra, was quite impressed with this one.

nice pour, light golden amber in color with a big head of white on top. Took forever to settle down though and the first few pours were on the foamy side I have to say. Aside from that though, nice side glass lacing and a rich look to it overall had me going in for another look. Light aroma, mild hops with a hint of bready notes to it right under the surface. This peeled back into light peach and banana hints the more it warms and a touch of light grain. Flavor was again interesting, bready and grainy at first with hints of lemon and orange sprinkled in. Warming seems to really mellow the hops completely and allow almost a spicy tone to take hold.

Serving type: growler

07-16-2011 15:20:59 | More by mikesgroove

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

2.95/5  rDev -25.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Pours a hazy yellow to orange-ish color with a white head. In the aroma, sweet candi sugar. In the taste, big candi sugar sweetness and a small dry pine. A smooth and medium bodied mouthfeel, with a dry to sweet candi sugar aftertaste. A small hop presence, big candi sugar, eh! A bit too sweet for me.

Serving type: on-tap

07-06-2011 20:51:49 | More by OWSLEY069

BarrytheBear

Wisconsin

3.95/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Nebraska Brewing Company. Poured into a tulip.

Well, damn. It was 100 degrees outside when we went to the pub at around 5:30 in the afternoon. Into a tulip this poured a hazed orange with a tight white ring and a really slow trickle of tiny bubbles that may have been just really pissed at the scorched earth drama the sun was directing outside. I had to use my pinkie digit as a makeshift windshield wiper to clear the glass and get a good peek inside.

The triple aspect of this hybrid shines in the nose, which is the side I'd prefer played coy. Fruity esters, spice, and yeast. It was difficult to pull the IPA qualities here.

On the tongue the hops are more assertive. Yeast lays a spicy blanket atop mango, pineapple, and heavy dose of peach. Sharp alcohol snap at the finish coupled with the spice.

Mouthfeel is lively, spicy, and pops on the palate. A refreshing, albeit big beer, to hide the day away with.

Being an unabashed Ale Asylum Bedlam lover, I can see the similarities. However, the Belgian aspects play a larger role here, and I prefer these aspects play more of a supporting role. As is, this is a nice beer and worth the trip over on our return home.

Serving type: on-tap

07-03-2011 01:12:24 | More by BarrytheBear

Tone

Missouri

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

Pours a slightly hazy, golden color. 1/3 inch head of a white color. Good retention and great lacing. Smells of slight sweet malt, slight floral hops, hint of spice, and a hint of roasted malt. Fits the style of a Belgian IPA. Mouth feel is sharp and crisp, with an average carbonation level. Tastes of citrus hops, sweet malt, slight dry hop, hint of spice, hint of wheat, and slight alcohol. Overall, good appearance, aroma, great blend, and good body.

Serving type: on-tap

06-22-2011 21:26:10 | More by Tone