Hoptober Golden Ale - New Belgium Brewing

Hullabaloo2

Nebraska

3.55/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Aroma - Mild citrus hop aroma. Some esters. malty sweetness. The aroma is very soft.

Appearance - Amber color. Crystal clear. White head settled at about one fingerwidth. Quite a bit of visible carbonation.

Taste - At the start I get malt followed closely by slight hop bitterness. Given time in the mouth hop flavor comes through more. Slight hop bitterness on the finish. The bitterness lingers, but not for long. Like the aroma, all of the flavors are quite soft. Pretty well balanced.

Mouth Feel - Thin to medium body. Slight carbonic "bite." Easy finish. No perceived alcohol.

Overall Impression - A fairly solid beer. Just enough hop aroma and flavor to please the palate, but very underwhelming. This would be very refreshing on a hot Summer day. Worth a try, but I probably won't but again.

Serving type: on-tap

08-27-2009 18:20:13 | More by Hullabaloo2

minnunderground

Wisconsin

3.55/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Bought a single bottle of this stuff. Pours a golden clear color. Smells hoppy with citrus. Tastes pretty good hits you with some hops off the bat then ends on some citrus and malts making it easy to drink. Mouth feel is pretty light all and all pretty drinkable. In the end it is a pretty good brew, Not sure if I would buy any more though.

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2009 21:53:45 | More by minnunderground

Zorro

California

3.55/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Clear golden colored beer with a small white colored head.

Smell is all Northwestern style hops. Strong grapefruit and other citrus aromas, this isn't very piney to me. Little bit of menthol and wood in this one with a minimal amount of malt scent.

Starts out dry and malty with a woody flavor. Slightly warming in the chest some of that is from a menthol and mint sensation from the hops. Slightly sour taste from the hops this is almost all citrus. Bottle says only 40 IBUs.

Mouthfeel is medium.

Flavorful and quite easy to drink. Smells stronger than it tastes, basically what we have here is a hoppy pale ale. Tasty beer I can recommend.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2009 03:38:45 | More by Zorro

JamesS

Indiana

3.55/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Pours a nice light yellow/semi-gold color with nice head and a bit of nice lacing. Nice scent, clean and fairly crisp with a nice sweetness and a faint bitter hop aroma. Nice taste, clean and clear with a nice mixture of hops and malts, although nothing really stuck out; balanced but not strong. Goes down quite well, nice and smooth. Would be a much better summer beer, I think, than a fall brew.

Serving type: on-tap

10-19-2009 18:25:21 | More by JamesS

devilben02

North Carolina

3.55/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a rich golden yellow color and a thick cloud-like eggshell-colored head. The aroma is dominated by pine and earth hop characteristics, with maybe a little lemon creeping in as well. The flavor is likewise primarily driven by a dull, earthy hop character up front with a bit of peppery spice, all balanced by a comparatively subtle nutty sweetness. Finely carbonated, this one is easy to drink but not special in that regard, although it is noted that it tastes lighter than I would have expected for 6% alcohol. Overall, it is a solid, hop-forward golden ale.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2010 01:52:47 | More by devilben02

Zraly

Virginia

3.55/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours golden with a two-finger head into a Dogfish Head signature glass. Nice citrus and earth notes.

Medium-bodied and quite smooth, this is a citrusy and earthy ale and warms up a bit in the middle. The addition of oats adds a nice silky touch to the mouthfeel. Bready but balanced.

A really nice early fall drink to help wash down a good spicy spaghetti dinner. I could see this also working well with grilled seafood.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2011 22:09:44 | More by Zraly

johnnybgood1999

Virginia

3.58/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

This reminds me of Sierra Nevada's Summerfest Ale. Anyways, nose is nice and hoppy with citrus flavors coming through. There's mostly hops in the flavor, though its not pale ale like. It's very refreshing. Malt is very light, but plays a role in complimenting the citrus hoppiness with sweetness. A good unfilling beer if you've got a hop craving.

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2009 02:20:15 | More by johnnybgood1999

Genghis22

California

3.58/5  rDev -6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Best Before 2/26/10 on bottle.

A - Pours a bright golden yellow. Nice creamy white head. Very clear. Nice lacing.

S - Good hop presence on the first smell. The sweet malty notes come through on the seconf whiff. Bitter citrus smells, grapefruit rind, with some piney floral hops as well.

T - Very mellow actually. A bit bisuity, and slightly tangy, like a mild belgian yeast strain was used. The hops that are in the nose do not come through on the taste at all. The malts over power this beer, which is unfortuante given the name of the beer. There is a slight hint of the hops in the aftertaste, a nice bitter drying effect takes place.

M - Very smooth. Medium to light body with moderate carbonation. Very crisp and refreshing beer.

D - Great session beer. Doesn't live up to the name IMHO. This is a good BBQ beer that might help BMC people get into craft. I wouldn't turn this one down, but I won't seek it out again. The best thing about this beer was the smell.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2009 00:27:16 | More by Genghis22

atsprings

North Carolina

3.58/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Flying Saucer served in a standard pint glass a crisp pale yellow with a slightly frothy off-white head. Aroma is a mild blend of sweet malts and citrus hops. The taste is a nice subtle blend of citrus hops and pale malts with a nice subtle lingering sweetness. The beer is on the light side of medium with decent carbonation. This is certainly an interesting beer, one that would also be good in summer.

Serving type: on-tap

09-28-2009 19:09:54 | More by atsprings

KeefD

Minnesota

3.58/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Yep, it's golden alright. Light carbonation, small white head that faded into a ring but is leaving some average lacing on the glass. Nice floral, hoppy aroma, hints of honey and light malty sweetness. Flavor is pretty well balanced between semi-sweet malts and lightly bitter hops. Light bready malts and lighty citric/herbal hops. Very easy drinking, nothing particularly outstanding, but it's a good golden ale to be sure. This would be a great session beer if the ABV were dropped by about 1.5%

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2009 17:25:35 | More by KeefD

zhanson88

California

3.58/5  rDev -6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pale copper color, a finger of white head, slight lacing. Nothing to write home on, honestly.

Smell: Citrus (orange, limes and pinapple) with some piney hops.

Taste: Very crisp and refreshing, a bit biscuity and pretty citrusy with a decent amount of piney hops at the end. I was very pleasantly surprised by the taste of this beer.

Mouthfeel/Drinkability: Light bodied, crisp and refreshing, and not overly carbonated which is a nice plus. Nice drinkable beer that actually has some flavor.

Serving type: on-tap

10-07-2010 01:50:50 | More by zhanson88

HosP

Indiana

3.58/5  rDev -6%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a pint glass.

A- Light golden color with fluffy head. Lots or carbonation to it.

S- Lots of citrus aroma with a little floral scents added in. Maybe a little spice added to this which I'm hoping for.

T- Surprisingly taste is pretty good. Was expecting not much but good citrus and floral hops. Had a little malt backbone to it too. Some spice to finish it off too.

M- Lighter to medium body. Good amount of carbonation. Slight bitterness to the drink.

D- Wasn't expecting a whole lot from the beer. Actually enjoyed the couple that I had. I'm more inclined to try some of their other seasonal beers now too.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2010 21:37:05 | More by HosP

kruthar

Indiana

3.58/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Shared this with friends, review is from notes

A - Deep golden in color, fluffy white head that leaves sticky clumpy lacing all the way up the glass.

S - Holy hops batman, fresh green sweet hops.

T - Bitter fresh hop body, with a single hidden flavor that i can't pin point.

M - Bitter and biting all the way down, could be a tad bit more smooth for me licking.

D - suited for the major hopsters, i enjoyed this beer but if you don;t like bitter beer this may not be for you.

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2010 04:09:09 | More by kruthar

Mora2000

Texas

3.58/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer pours a very clear golden color with a white head. The aroma is wheat, light lemons and some grain notes. The aroma is a little bit lacking overall. The flavor is more prominent. I get some lemon and orange citrus notes, as well as some wheat and some grassy hops. The overall bitterness level is low, but it is nicely done. Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2010 00:56:54 | More by Mora2000

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.58/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

From the bottle at Rustico Alexandria yesterday during the New Belgium kickoff. Served in a goblet.

Pour brings a light yellow liquid with a good white head and a bit of foam on top. Nice lacing as it goes down.

Nose brings forward some light floral hops and a touch of citrus. Light malt base. Flavor is slightly hoppy with some light bread to back things up. Just a touch of sweetness.

Light body with crisp carbonation. I guess the hops are the biggest component, though they're not all that strong.

Pretty good for a blonde. A nice summer brew that could serve well as an introduction to craft.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2011 21:58:33 | More by Thorpe429

vandemonian

Maryland

3.58/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

New Belgium Hoptober is a pleasant and drinkable beer. Not a whole lot of flavour though.

A: Yellow colour with a 3 mm head that fades to good lacing. 4

S: Grainy with a reasonable amount of hoppiness. 3.5

T: Grainy with a hint of tanginess in the tail. A small amount of bitterness is noticeable. 3.5

M: Foamy. 4

O: Pleasant and drinkable. 3.5

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2011 03:29:20 | More by vandemonian

Daniellobo

District of Columbia

3.58/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Easy flowing amber ale, pleasing if a bit unremarkable.

Presentation:22 oz brown capped bottle. New Belgium paper label design with a n image of a party bonfire framed by hops. Side paragraph goes over intent, main ingredients and serving notes. Show best before date 01jan12, and 6% Alc. by Vol. Served in a tulip glass.

A - Clear gold pour with a rig frothy head, good retention and surface memory with showy lacing.

S - Fresh hoppy nose, nothing too pungent but pleasing range of pineapple, and grapefruit,

T - Flavors offers a soft if correct biscuity pale malt sense with a lighter touch of hops… very light notes of grapefruit and a muted bitterness.

M - Medium/light body… In fact probably lighter but held by a medium carbonation that sustains the brew well. Light prickly finish with a tiny bitter touch.

O - Pleasing flow, a bit generic and safe for a mass audience, in that sense the aroma and looks are the most notable qualities, as an entry craft brew this might work well.

Notes: It's quality but I'm not crazy about it by far… Logically this can be part of the massive launch of NB brews in the region. Price/quality ratio is remarkable and in that context this could do very well. Having said that… If only for that nose, I'd take this over their pervasive Fat Tyre any day.

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2011 17:59:15 | More by Daniellobo

jifigz

Pennsylvania

3.58/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottle poured into a pint glass.

A: As the name suggests, this beer pours a pretty golden/orange color with a nice lingering head and some pretty nice lacing. The beer is pretty clear but a little hazy.

S: The beer smells slightly floral and hoppy, once again as the name suggests. Since this beer is pretty damn cold that is about all I am picking up.

T: The taste is really more delicate than I expected. The taste is hops throughout the whole of it with grass, hay, and other earthy leafy flavors mixed in throughout. There isn't near as much flavor as I was expecting.

M: The mouthfeel on this one is very silky and creamy. It feels great and very unique on the palate.

O: This is a solid ale. Very easy drinking and very simple to handle. this is not nearly as flavorful as I had expected but a good ale nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2011 20:42:22 | More by jifigz

jjboesen

Maryland

3.58/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

I live in the Washington DC area; New Belgium has just begun distribution in this area. "Oh boy!," I thought. This one, the Hoptoberfest, was the first one tasted.

It pours a thick soapy head that makes a shimmery crown atop a vibrant body of light amber. Within, if you should care to observe, is an active school of carbonation bubbles.

The nose detects an intense nose of pine and apple. The palate, meanwhile, is distracted by an initial slap of malt that quickly dissipates into some sugary finish. Bizarre, but not unpleasant. Please note that Hoptober contains five types of hops and four types of malts; this makes for a complex recipe for a simple style of beer.

While it is named Hoptoberfest, I would brand it as a pleasant Summer quaff - not much else, though. A nice beer; not a great one.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2011 01:55:53 | More by jjboesen

EricCioe

Montana

3.58/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This pours pale gold with a tight, frothy two finger eggshell head. On the nose there is a wet brain note lurking beneath citrus fruit. The wet malt note is the only detrimental aspect of this beer to me. In the mouth the citrus comes out as something like mellow orange zest, complimented by crystal malt. It's quite balanced. Body is medium light, perfectly drinkable, with a long but light finish of citrus.

Overall, this is a perfectly drinkable beer, great out of a pitcher at trivia Tuesday.

Serving type: on-tap

10-19-2011 01:46:44 | More by EricCioe

Pintofbrown

Iowa

3.58/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

App- The head builds to an impressive three fingers. It's a nice dome with craters and big bubbles topping on the top. Great amount of lacey film on the side of the glass. The body is clear and dark yellow with some carbonation.

Smell- There are some hops in the nose that have citrus notes, some lemon and orange. The malts balance greatly and have a biscuity sweet quality.

Taste- The flavor profile is nicely balanced with the bittering hops and biscuit malt. Well into the finish though, it does err only slightly on the hops. Which I find interesting as this is a beer named after the "holy cones". The hops are interesting at least, being slightly citrusy, but I was assuming they would be more pronounced.

Mouth feel- The fizz is a little off putting. It also finishes a little dry. I'm not a huge fan for the lighter feel. Maybe it's for somebody.

Overall- For what I think would be a hop forward beer, it is incredibly balanced. It is a finely crafted beer, but they made it so balanced, it fails to be impressive in any aspect.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2011 20:53:14 | More by Pintofbrown

confer

Pennsylvania

3.58/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A- Close to pale yellow and crystal clear. Big fluffy head that lingers.
S- Citrus hops at a low level.
T- Starts with small hop bite but it doesn't last. The hoppiness fades away almost as soon as it starts.
MO-Overall an okay beer. It' seems like a pale ale to me.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2011 01:10:41 | More by confer

avalon07

South Carolina

3.6/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Poured from a bottle to a pint glass. Had a golden color and a completely clear consistency. There was a small amount of foamy head that quickly dissipated and some OK lacing.

S: A nice aroma of floral hops, some malt and citrus.

T: Tasted of malt, floral hops and a hint of lemon. Not bad, though a bit on the sweet side.

M: A decent amount of carbonation with a sligtly slick finish. Light-bodied.

D: A drinkable beer, though it doesn't exactly stand out. Blonde Ales are rarely standouts.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2009 14:46:34 | More by avalon07

pmccallum86

Minnesota

3.6/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a clear golden color with a two finger bubbly head that leaves lacing down the sides of the glass as it dissipates.

The smell is of lemon zest, grass and biscuity malt.

The taste is similar to the smell, lemon notes, grassy earthy notes, biscuit malt and a variety of hops.

Smooth creamy mouthfeel, medium carbonation.

Good drinkability, goes down smooth and refreshingly.

Serving type: on-tap

11-21-2009 23:36:53 | More by pmccallum86

JackieTH

Minnesota

3.6/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Clear, golden with a white fluffy head.

Smell: Malt/bready with a nice dose of floral and citrus/orange. Smells like a toned down IPA.

Taste: Follows the nose. Doses of floral and orange citrus in a nice malty backbone. Well balanced. Finishes crisp.

Mouthfeel: Medium with just the right amount of carbonation, refreshing experience.

Drinkability: I didn't pay much attention to the name. What my brain registered was "Oktoberfest", and not "HOPtober" So this mildly hoppy animal was totally unexpected, but much appreciated. Nicely balanced and a refreshing finish.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2010 17:54:30 | More by JackieTH