Humulus Lager - The Bruery

rudzud

Massachusetts

4.38/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Enjoyed this at the dive. Poured into a tulip.

A - Poured a nice crystal clear honey hue with a one finger head that left sticky lacing ans a thin blanket.

S - Aromas of grapefruit peel and orange. Nice light malts, gentle lager notes.

T - Taste is nicely grapefruit with light malty sweetness. Nice citus with good flesh and rind. Super drinkable.

M - Mouthfeel is very drinkable with light carbonation.

O - Overall not a bad beer. A great west coast ipa lager nut truthfully I enjoy Jack's Abby lagers a bit more.

Serving type: on-tap

05-16-2013 22:59:02 | More by rudzud

ElSid

California

4.44/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The Beers of California

#86

On-tap at Father's Office in Culver City

A: Yellow golden with a moderate white head of foam

S: Floral, pine, big citrus zest, and tropical fruit. There is also some cracker maltiness and honey sweetness.

T: Nice hop complexity which follows the nose: spring flowers, pine needles, grapefruit peel, and tropical fruit. The malt is light, crackers, bread and honey which adds a layer of sweetness. Refreshing but flavorful with building bitterness and faint warming alcohol in the finish.

M: On the lighter side with strong oily linger and supporting carbonation. Some chewiness is also there

O: A wonderful lager with diverse hop notes which is both refreshing and flavorful making for an easy drinking and enjoyable brew.

Serving type: on-tap

05-16-2013 00:36:28 | More by ElSid

bennetj17

Arizona

4.1/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bright gold color, thin white foam head. Floral, citrus bouquet with west coast flair. Clean without much coming from the malts. Just a very hop forward smell.

The taste has an intense citrus bite with a grapefruit twang and melon sweetness. Quite bitter in the finish as the citrus kind of hangs for awhile. A nice presentation of hops but something is very one dimensional here. Good carbonation, the mouthfeel has a slight syrupy feel but is otherwise lighter and smooth.

Not sure if its because its not an ale, but this beer lacks complexity and the flavor begins to weigh heavily after while. Still a hoppy monster though and was glad to try it, but its perhaps a bit overrated.

Serving type: on-tap

04-16-2013 03:32:22 | More by bennetj17

SirBentham

California

4.68/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

A: Gold, slightly hazey with a thick head.

S: Citrus, hops and yeast.

T: Slightly bitter with a lot of citrus and pine jumping out. Long and smooth aftertaster

M: Moderately carbonated. You notice the lager here a bit more than your standard IPA.

O: I'm now obsessed with IPL's. This gets the slight edge over Ballast Point's Fathom.
Highly recommended.

Edit - it's so important to drink this fresh. I just had one from another restaurant 6 weeks later, from the same batch and the difference was huge.

Serving type: on-tap

04-11-2013 08:35:40 | More by SirBentham

xnicknj

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

on tap at hawthornes - served in Duvel tulip

Slightly hazed golden yellow color with a one-finger crop of foamy head resting on top. Solid retention and rings of patchy lacing all over the glass while drinking.

Pungent tropical hops in the nose with pineapple, apricot and citrus peel. Toasted grain, soft malty scents and a hint of warmth. Smells like a lager/DIPA hybrid - oh, wait.

Wonderfully expressive citrus and tropical hops right up front. Bitter and juicy at the same time, filled with pineapple, apricot, mango and citrus peel. Toasted grains and malt with that familiar lager yeast creeping through. Finishes fruity and bitter with a touch of alcohol warmth.

Medium body, decent carbonation, crisp and refreshing on the tongue. Despite the ABV, I could easily have 2-3 of these in a sitting. Refreshing, flavorful and probably the best Imperial Pilsner I've had the pleasure of quaffing.

Serving type: on-tap

04-09-2013 01:00:38 | More by xnicknj

MDDMD

Pennsylvania

4.34/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A-slightly hazy golden amber color with a nice white head and good lacing

S-citrus, pine, bready malt, slightly herbal notes

T-grapefruit, pine, cracker malt, hints of tropical fruit, nice bitter dry finish, alcohol not very noticeable

F-medium body with moderate carbonation, crisp

O-a delicious pilsener that has many IPA-like qualities, really enjoyed this beer

Serving type: on-tap

04-04-2013 01:49:42 | More by MDDMD

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.21/5  rDev -27.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

First had: on tap at Pinocchio's, Media, PA

Poured a clear golden-yellow color with a good-sized white head that retained well and laced the glass. For a lager, this had a very nice nose, crisp, resinous hops, balanced with biscuity pils malts. The taste fell quite short of the aroma, dry and bland, cork-like malts, grainy, and though some of that nice resinous/citrusy hop profile found its way through, it quickly faded to a stale, metallic bitterness. Light-bodied, moderately carbonated, and fairly decent overall, but not something I'd ever want to have again.

I admit I haven't had many "IPLs," but this was no champ among them.

Serving type: on-tap

03-28-2013 20:35:00 | More by Rifugium

kawilliams81

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Map Room served in a tulip.

A- pours gold with a 2" thick white head. Huge rings of lacing that coat the glass.

S-bread, honey, lemon, citrus rind

T- pale malts, light honey, bitter citrus, some sourdough.

M- medium body and carbonation. Very creamy feel.

O- excellent pilsner and I am not a fan of pils but would drink this.

Serving type: on-tap

03-21-2013 17:55:21 | More by kawilliams81

emerge077

Illinois

4.41/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25

Draft serving in a tulip glass.

Bright saturated orange, bright clarity, lasting presence of creamy white foam on the surface. Fluffy couple fingers of foam that last for awhile. Lots of lace, looks more like an IPA.

Resiny pungent hop aroma, citrus sweetness, fresh and dank.

Very smooth and easy drinking, a fistful of citrus hits first, lots of grapefruit and resiny hop oils. Moderate bitterness that sticks in the teeth, lingering long into the aftertaste. Grapefruit flesh and pith dominate, this is a deceptive layer base, as it masquerades as a dank west coast IPA. Pretty nice stuff, hope we see more of it in Chicago.

"This lil motherfucker is tasty!" - Mr. Show

Serving type: on-tap

03-21-2013 00:18:51 | More by emerge077

StonedTrippin

Colorado

4.71/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

not only the best lager ive ever had (not even a close second), but possible the best beer ive ever put to my lips. this stuff is incredible. on tap at the monk on Colfax. the pour is glowing golden with an orange hue, mostly clear, and an inch of white thick whipped cream looking head that lasts, and is easily roused with a swirl of the globe. the nose is really hoppy, this was obviously dry hopped generously. the lager yeast gives it a crispness, and I smell some tropical fruit in there with all the bitterness. the flavor is just astounding, it has a very similar hop complexion to the pliny the younger, no kidding. its that decadent. the grains are light on the toast but give a lot of body, which I think works well with the lager yeast, a fuller bodied crisp clean beer with a ton of hops, its really a nice and new combo. so much fruit and hop oil here, ive really never had anything like it. the mouthfeel is also fantastic, lots of tiny bubbles and a full body make it feel like almost a nitro dispense, and the texture is so big and coats the whole mouth with this fresh hopped goodness. this is a beer that is worth every bit of its hype, it reopens the lager category as exciting for me, and it is another reason why the bruery is near the top of the brewing world right now. this is absolutely divine, and I cannot wait for my next one. A+

Serving type: on-tap

03-16-2013 17:53:55 | More by StonedTrippin

oline73

Maryland

4.15/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

I had this on-tap at Max's, served in a goblet.

Pours a clear amber with gold hue and a layer of off white head. Smells of fresh green hops, citrus peel, and some sweet bready malt undertones. The taste is made up of citrus peel bitterness, green hops, and a sweetmalt and bitter hop finish. The body is medium with tingly carbonation and a finish that is not very dry.

Serving type: on-tap

03-15-2013 05:13:47 | More by oline73

SpeedwayJim

New York

4.5/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Pony Bar UES. Served in a 8oz. pint glass. Reviewed from notes.

.5 finger foamy white head with moderate retention. Beer is a slightly cloudy goldenrod. Lacing is web-like with good stick. Real solid.

Nose is citrus, tree sap, grapefruit and other tropical fruit hop bitterness. Aromatic. Real appetizing.

Opens citrus, cane sugar, grapefruit, papaya, passion fruit. Very fruit forward with a big malt presence. More tree sap hop bitterness balanced with cane sugar in the middle. End is citrus with a sweet papaya and tropical fruit aftertaste. Probably the most complex and enjoyably hoppy pilsner I've ever come across.

Light bodied with moderate carbonation. Crisp and light in the mouth and goes down quenching. Real drinkable and the 7.2% is barely there. Finishes sticky with a dry aftertaste. Very nice.

Hands down the best pilsner I've ever had. The ABVs are hidden very well and the beer drinks like a balanced, tropical ipa. Definitely worth the praise.

Serving type: on-tap

03-06-2013 02:33:03 | More by SpeedwayJim

dirtylou

Washington

4.6/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

on-tap at Chucks

Served in a mason-pint, bright straw golden body, some nice white lace. Very hop forward - clean and bright citrus, fresh and green with limited bitterness. Definitely at the very far-end of the pilsner spectrum - very americanized. Great beer - tick, tick.

Serving type: on-tap

02-24-2013 22:26:39 | More by dirtylou

Dreadnaught33

District of Columbia

4.71/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Had on tap at the bruery, what a treat this beer is. It really drinks like a fresh hop IPA or pale ale but has a nice dry feel and clean finish that remind me of its fermentation.

Pours a nice gold hue with some orange highlights. Amazing ring of foamy head and lacing, nice look. The smell and taste have an amazing balance of resinous and piney hops along with a dryer fresh bread malt and a hint of subtle kitchen spice. It's well composed and very well balanced in its palate of flavors in both nose and taste. Definitely some citrus rind too.

The feel is dry at the end but very juicy up front. Altogether an extremely good beer.

Serving type: on-tap

02-24-2013 00:06:05 | More by Dreadnaught33

jaasen64

Massachusetts

4.23/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

On-tap at Publick House. 16oz serving in a pint glass. This was a nice treat to see and something I've been wanting to try for awhile.

A- Golden orange, translucent with some haze, decent carbonation that is fairly consistent, about 2 fingers of pure white foamy head that has great retention but slowly recedes and leaves nice layered lacing.

S- Lots of tropical hops with pineapple, oranges, light greeny/slightly earthy hops, and a bit of pine coming out. Fairly aromatic and very pleasant smelling.

T- Again lots of tropical fruits with pineapple and oranges being the most dominant followed by a slight hint of sappy pine and a light malt presence hiding under the hops that adds a hint of sweetness. Finishes with a light bitterness that is by no means overpowering and a nice lingering fruity aftertaste. Overall has a nice flavorful fruity presence while still maintaining a decent balance.

M- Very easy drinking, refreshing although not quite as crisp as some lagers I've had, decent carbonation.

O- This was a great hoppy lager/pilsener with a very nice tropical fruit presence however I'm not sure if it's necessarily better then some of the other hoppy lagers I've had such as Kiwi Rising and HF's Mary. Overall though I thought this was great, I'm glad I had the chance to try it, and I hope The Bruery does more hoppy beers and sends this to Boston again in the future.

Serving type: on-tap

02-22-2013 14:01:34 | More by jaasen64

tarheels86

California

3.15/5  rDev -28.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

Tap at PP Old Town. Pours a chill haze light orange. Sheety white lacing. Nose is hoppy, citrusy, pithy melon, sweat. Taste is dry, very nutty, meaty, lots of paper on the finish. Moving to extremely soapy. Hard to finish. My rating: 3.2 Fiancé rating: 3.6

Serving type: on-tap

11-21-2012 03:35:22 | More by tarheels86

mhaugo

California

4.48/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On draft. 4 ounce pour in mini-snifter.
Appearance: Golden and clear with a thin cap of foam.
Smell: Citrus and mint. Very inviting.
Taste: So clean and dry. A very pleasant bitter aftertaste.
Mouthfeel: Clean and crisp. Very refreshing.
Overall: Amazing beer. I could drink a pile of it. Perfect for the hot day that it was.

Serving type: on-tap

09-13-2012 03:21:12 | More by mhaugo

kevanb

Illinois

4.28/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On Tap at the Bruery Tasting Room, review from notes.

Pours a nice copper color, orange, amber also come to mind, golden hues when held to the light. A finger of so of head appears, recedes quickly, minimal lacing. The aroma is all hops, piney, sticky, resinous, some floral and citrus notes come out, but I really like how earthy the aroma is, compliments the sweeter malt bill very well. The flavors are great, bitter earthy hops, notes of pine, dirt almost, sap, resin, bits of citrus fruit, more like lemongrass, very dry flavors. The malt is certainly there, sweet yet light cereal grains, cracked peppercorn and some richer sweeter malts, munich or caramel perhaps, all come out. Very complex flavors, balanced well, certainly the Bruery's best showing with a hoppy beer. The body is big and rich, I don't really like saying that honestly, could use more carbonation, a bit too syrupy at times.

Verdict: Carbonation aside, this is a knockout. Great hop profile, easy to drink, refreshing, spot on. The Bruery isn't known for their hoppy beers, but this leads me to believe they have the potential to make a really fine APA or IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

09-10-2012 20:59:19 | More by kevanb

Beer_HOPper

4.23/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Enjoyed on tap at 38 Degrees.

Appearance: Light golden brown with about an inch of fine white head which dissipated slowly. Carbonation slowly rising to top like a TV commercial.

Smell: strong sweet piney hops, smells sticky, wow.

Taste: like it smells, sticky, hoppy, piney, slightly citrus.

Feel: light, airy, dry, bitter finish.

Overall: very good, light, initial attack almost too hoppy. but, I wanted more.

Serving type: on-tap

09-09-2012 07:21:52 | More by Beer_HOPper

DarthKostrizer

California

4.03/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at provisions

Look: Golden yellow with a 1/4 inch white head and good retention with lots of spotty lace

Smell: Soft piney hops with a touch of citrus

Taste: The flavors are similar to the nose but the beer finishes with just a bit of funk

Mouthfeel: Thin body and medium carbonation and a bit dry

Overall: This is a good beer but I wasn't blown away by it

Serving type: on-tap

04-23-2012 01:13:56 | More by DarthKostrizer

vince4953529

California

4.63/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

16 oz poured on tap in Provisions unto pint glass on a lazy Tuesday noon.

Cloudy golden color with a little head. Taste is hoppy and quite bitter akin to a west-coast IPA. Supremely drinkable with a potentially potent 7.2 IBA. Excellent beer, very quaffable, easily to get drunk to.

Serving type: on-tap

03-27-2012 22:15:00 | More by vince4953529

UCLABrewN84

California

4.4/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Bruery Provisions in Orange, CA.

Pours a slightly hazy golden yellow with an off-white head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Foamy streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of grain, citrus zest, and some tropical fruit aromas. Taste is of grain, citrus fruit, citrus zest, and some subtle tropical fruit flavors on the finish. There is a mild bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a very good lager with some very nice aromas and flavors.

Serving type: on-tap

03-18-2012 22:14:45 | More by UCLABrewN84

pmarlowe

California

4.35/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

On tap at Whole Foods Pasadena. Pint glass.

A: Pours a medium golden color with a half inch of very fine, sand colored head. Leads a wall of lacing on the glass. Looks beautiful.

S: Nice hoppy citrus and tropical notes, with caramel and crystal malt backbone. Slight sweetness. Almost a honey like aroma coming from the glass.

T: Lager yeast is offset with a nice hop kick, citrus and some herbal and floral notes, a little caramel and crystal malt underneath gives a hint of sweetness, finishing on the palate with moderate bitterness and not much flavor.

M: Medium-light body and medium-high carbonation with a nice bite.

O: A very good hoppy lager. Glad to see the Bruery with something approaching an IPA, but why don't they just brew this as an ale?

Serving type: on-tap

03-18-2012 20:54:29 | More by pmarlowe

Koufax21

New Mexico

3.95/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had this on tap at the Bruery. Poured a pale light straw color with a 1" pillow of bright white head. Big nose of citrus like hops and a very light biscuit like aroma. The taste was great. Fruit like hop presence with some piney flavors as well. Light bodied and carbonated well. A little dry on the finish. This is a good beer. I'm not much in to lagers, but this is an exception. Tasty stuff here. Heard a lot about this stuff. It didn't disappoint.

Serving type: on-tap

12-03-2011 18:37:07 | More by Koufax21

Gobzilla

California

4.3/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: poured a pale golden yellow in color with a finger of fluffy head that left some frothy lacing sticking to the glass.

S: a nice piney hoppy bouquet was noticeable upfront on the nose with citrus, malty sweetness, and earthy notes but had hints of booze.

T it definitely had a nice piney hoppy punch that was well balanced with the malty sweetness alongside citrus, caramel, and earthy accents.

M: the brew was medium in body with a good amount of carbonation which had a piney, hoppy, citrusy, mild sweet, crisp, and bitter finish.

D: very delicious beer if your a hop head and considering it is not labeled an IPA but was very tasty and drinking really good.

Serving type: on-tap

11-27-2011 07:55:19 | More by Gobzilla