Hopgasm (Sunset Over Yakima) - Al's of Hampden / Pizza Boy Brewing

stakem

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

There are 3 different versions of Hopgasm. The sunset over yakima is the dark version listed as an imperial "blackish" ipa. Served in a shaped pint, the brew appears dark brown to amber with a creamy finger of off-white to tan head. The cap displays solid retention with a full wall of lace sticking to the glass.

The smell is dominated by hops as expected with fruity resins and some tropical quality with zest and earthy to herbal hints. There is a mild vegetative quality also present perhaps from the usage of the fresh hops in this batch.

The taste brings on the melon flavoring of hops. Somewhat like cantaloupe that morphs into more resin and catty to herbal and veggy quality. The whole spectrum of hops is showcased here with a mild bready to biscuit grain inclusion. Some mild alcohol tingle is present for the listed 10% but it is very well integrated. The aftertaste is a little grassy and vegetative.

This is a medium bodied brew with a modest amount of carbonation. It is smooth and dangerously drinkable for 10%. Looking forward to trying the other batches upon their release.

Serving type: on-tap

09-18-2012 12:07:53 | More by stakem

Invictus

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +7.3%

05-07-2013 10:52:46 | More by Invictus

runner_pe

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -11.6%

05-04-2013 12:06:54 | More by runner_pe

StormKing47

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -5.3%

02-07-2013 13:53:41 | More by StormKing47

prdstmnky

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -5.3%

01-26-2013 15:07:05 | More by prdstmnky

stmgl01

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +1%

10-21-2012 14:05:58 | More by stmgl01

jwat

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +7.3%

10-13-2012 18:11:59 | More by jwat

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

4.08/5  rDev +3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this on tap at Al's in a sampler sized pour.

The color is deep bronze bordering on caramel brown with mild haze and a minimal tan head sits atop with lace clinging on the glass. The smell has a huge floral aspect with lots of fruit esters and mild spice with subtle caramel accent. The feel is good with a resinous hop texture and moderate sweetness with mild alcohol influence on the palate.

The taste is intensely hopped yet not highly bitter just nicely balanced with some caramel sweetness and light toasted elements in the malt with citrus and gentle vegetal elements from the hops which are not shy in this dark IPA, Overall I liked this a lot, not as much as the original, but I am pleased with the fresh flavor and would have this again.

Serving type: on-tap

09-28-2012 18:57:34 | More by Slatetank

orangesol

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on-tap at Al's of Hampden.

A - Pours dark brown with hints of amber orange around the edges, a one finger off white head, leaving sticky rings of lace down parts of the glass.

S - Smells of floral citric and piney hops, dulled fruit, resin and some grainy chocolate malt. The hops really dominate the nose at the beginning with the base black body coming through stronger toward the end of the glass.

T - Starts off with a big dose of citric hop bitterness that never really fades away. Hints of fresh cut pine, light fruitiness and some lightly bready chocolate malt. Finish is still fairly bitter, lingering on the palate long after the finish.

M - Medium body with moderate carbonation. Really bitter but still relatively smooth feel throughout the glass. The 10% ABV is fairly well hidden, only really showing itself toward the end of the glass.

O - This feels like it is stuck between a regular DIPA and a Black IPA, I guess thats why they are calling it a "blackish IPA." I would have preferred they had picked one of the two and stuck with it, I think it would have been much better. Either way a very nice beer, albeit a confused one.

Serving type: on-tap

09-28-2012 02:17:18 | More by orangesol