Hoptober Golden Ale - New Belgium Brewing

DoubleJ

California

3.85/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Quickly, on to the beer:

Dirty yellow colored with a short head that leaves lots of dotty lacing onto the glass. Nose is subtle, but refreshing. It's grassy and has an appealing honeydue aroma.

The subtlety theme continues into the taste, which is a little bit of a surprise for a beer at 6% ABV. Melon rind and a little grassy bitterness are the dominant flavors in the bunch. Also a suggestion of wildflowers. Slight spice, perhaps from the rye. Or maybe it is the carbonation, which is medium-high. Its clean finish with some melon leftovers in the aftertaste are appealing and leave the beer with a good note.

As is the case with most of New Belgium's line of "regular" beers, Hoptober can appeal to a wide variety of personal tastes. This is something to keep in mind for future falls.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2011 05:57:22 | More by DoubleJ

glid02

Georgia

3.88/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at Taco Mac Metropolis in Atlanta.

Pours a clear golden color with a one-finger white head. The head recedes into a patchy layer on top leaving decent lacing.

Smells great - tropical and citrus hop aromas with very light amounts of pale malt.

Tastes good, although it's not as good as it tastes. Light citrus hop flavors up front segue into a lightly bitter ending. Pale malt flavors lurk in the background. Neither the malt or hop flavors are as intense as the smell lets on.

Mouthfeel is good. It has a nice thickness with moderate carbonation.

Drinkability is good. I didn't have a problem finishing my glass and could have another.

Overall this beer smells great but the taste doesn't follow through as much as I'd hoped. Still, it's worth a shot.

Serving type: on-tap

09-11-2009 21:32:49 | More by glid02

kojevergas

California

2.63/5  rDev -31%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

33cl brown glass bottle with standard pressure cap served into a hard rock cafe hefeweissbier glass in low altitude Los Angeles, California. Reviewed live. Bottle was obtained as part of a New Belgium variety pack. Served alone, unpaired with food.

A: Pours a four finger head of light cream, fair thickness, and good retention. Colour is a slightly cloudy lemon yellow.

Sm: Aroma is light in strength: all me broken nose can pick up is a vague citrus ester. All apologies, lads.

T: Sloppy indistinct citrus esters mixed with clean bland barley. It's poorly built and balanced. Very simple as well.

Mf: Too smooth and too wet. Classic fallacy. Doesn't really suit the flavours. It's almost watery.

Dr: Not very drinkable on account of the limited quality. Decently priced as part of a variety pack, but still not worth a go for any serious beer fanatic. (or advocate, as it were...)

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2011 01:43:39 | More by kojevergas

mothman

Saskatchewan (Canada)

3.63/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into Bud American Ale glass

Pours 2 fingers of slight beige head. Amazing retention with a ton of lace and lace walls. Color is a clear pale golden yellow/orange.

Aroma: kind of interesting and not really what I was expecting. There seems to be a decent amount of hops here. A big floral aroma. Some spices mixed in, but mainly pretty hoppy.

Taste: Wow, this beer is unlike any other I have had. It is super sweet with a ton of hops. Has some spices that linger around for a bit. I really don't know what to think of the taste as it is really unique.

Mouthfeel: Bitter and smooth at the same time. Medium bodied with a decent amount of carbonation. Ends with a dry hoppy aftertaste.

Overall, this is a unique beer. It isn't quite and IPA, but it resembles similar tastes. I am glad I just bought one of these, as it just isn't flowing for me. It is drinkable, but nothing I want a lot of.

Just a fun side note, but did anybody else notice the guy on the label to the far right? Kind of funny.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2009 01:01:38 | More by mothman

JohnGalt1

Idaho

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

12 oz picked up today at the COOP... poured into my Delirium goblet.... Crystal clear gold... nice foamy head and pretty good retention and lace...

Nose is grassy and floral hops out front with (I think?) some sorta menthol notes... pale malts help out but are more second string.

An interesting beer.... I'm having a hard time with it... Good bitterness at the front with some spicy/lite oily/slick notes also sorta at the front... nice floral hoppiness mid palate and a lingering spiciness that I would guess comes from the rye and oats... The body is on the medium side and a nice sorta creamy carbonation.. Reminds me of an over-hopped, rye-dominant cream ale I brewed eons ago.. I haven't thought of that beer in years :-)

Still don't know what to make of this beer other than I like it... definitely in my mind this a blending of at least a few different styles.. that said, I would have bought this many times to have something interesting and very drinkable in the Boise heat... the fact that it's out now in very late summer will probably limit my drinking, but as long as it's on the shelf, I'll almost certainly make sure to have some in the fridge... good beer for sure.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2009 06:56:40 | More by JohnGalt1

Cyberkedi

Georgia

4.18/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a nice clear amber golden with a decent white head. Aroma is richly hoppy and just slightly fruity. Flavor is seriously hoppy but not too bitter and has both malty and fruity hints. Texture is fizzy and leaves a nice hoppy finish that is only slightly bitter.

Serving type: on-tap

08-30-2009 00:59:42 | More by Cyberkedi

ccrida

Oregon

4.13/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On draught at Monty's, Hoptober is gold with a white head that leaves nice lace.

Smell is nice, very interesting, floral notes, some sweetness, wildflower honey, clean cereals.

Taste is similar, a nice bit of hop snap, more of the nobles then the west coast style hops that are often more assertive. Similar to the nose with the potpourri and honey, cereal, very clean and enjoyable.

Mouthfeel is a bit slick, with some dryness, and a medium light body.

Drinkability is good, a tasty beer that is subtly complex, sessionable but satisfying.

Serving type: on-tap

11-17-2010 00:24:55 | More by ccrida

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

scruffwhor

Illinois

4.2/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Nice foamy head topping two fingers an sticky lacing. Just exceptional bubbling, hundreds of tiny columns of bubbles rising to the top of this foamy brew. The color is a golden hay with light copper hues mixed in. Medium hoppy nose, adding light citrus and heavy earthen grass aromas to a dry pilsner malt smell. The taste is mildly bitter to start Repeats of the earthen grass, but no citrus. The malts add a dry toasted gristy taste and mouthfeel. Pretty good balance for a hoppy blonde ale. Good tasting beer, but the hoppiness makes this beer falls a little short for drinkability on my scale. Still very good overall.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2009 19:41:33 | More by scruffwhor

ZAP

Minnesota

4.43/5  rDev +16.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-Golden colored...minimal head

S-Big juicy citrus aroma...oranges, tangerines, grapefruits, etc..the longer I smell this the more the other layers become evident...it also has a sweeter, sugar note as well as a spicy rye dimension .

T-Juicy citrus flavor as well....the rye malt is clearly evident and I love the citrus hop/rye malt mix...

M-Light side of medium bodied...smooth but not creamy..they used oats and it must have added a little to the body but it is not super creamy..finishes with a little citrus tanginess.

D-Nice creative golden ale that is a joy to drink. Only 40 IBU but it smells and tastes very hop forward.

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2009 18:13:17 | More by ZAP

dirtylou

Washington

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

12oz single, presumably from woodmans

served in a ND pint while watching a (presumably) ND loss to Stanford

appearance: bright golden body, foamy white crest and bubbly carbonation. decent retention

smell: fresh hop profile - tangerine and orange zest, crisp pale malts

taste: this one was a nice surprise - very hop-forward blonde ale. Tangerine, sweet orange zest, lemon juice, dry bready malts. Lots of sweetness from the citrus - interesting choice for a fall seasonal

mouthfeel: light, crisp, easy drinking

drinkability: good

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2010 20:39:43 | More by dirtylou

Bitterbill

Wyoming

3.75/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This pours a bright yellow gold with 1 finger head of foam.

The smell is very hoppy with some spice..probably the hoppiest nose of any NB brew I've tried. It's like you're holding the hop in your hand and taking whiffs. Sticking my nose into the glass, I can just make out some malt but it's very very faint.

The taste is more balanced but them hops are dominant. Very floral, light citrus, very light maltiness that's really struggling for attention but it ain't getting much according to my palate.

Medium bodied for the most part(it does get a bit watery in the finish) with medium carbonation, it finishes quite bitter with just a tad of honey like sweetness. The head retention is good as is the lacing.

Drinkability? It's easy enough to put this bottle away. A tasty brew that may be a little too aggressive for the style but it works alright for me.

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2009 22:38:41 | More by Bitterbill

cokes

Wisconsin

4.38/5  rDev +15%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Clear bright brass under a tight-cropped carpet of white cream, pockmarked with large bubbles.
The crisp, crackery pale maltiness is scented below a varied layer of hops. Equal parts flowery, citric, and evergreen. The seem well meshed and cohere into a vibrant and unified hop aroma.
Down the hatch, the dry maltiness arrives first. Toasted egg bagels and oyster crackers. Slowly, the other grains reveal themselves. Wheat first, with a suave sub-sweetness. Rye with a tickly spicy note. Then finally (and maybe most evidently) the oats with their whipped sense of cream. Hops hit immediately, again, multidimensional, with intermeshed citrus, flowers, and pine, and a concluding and lingering, peppery, grassy bit.
The oats are the ringer for me, and they add they inimitatable glossy beefy slickness in the feel. Yet this still drinks with abandon with its sparkling carbonation. This shows a fantastic amount of complexity on its smallish frame, as each of its components takes its turn in the spotlight. It's sometimes difficult to slow the gulps down in order to savor and parse it.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2009 07:49:57 | More by cokes

Tone

Missouri

4.25/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a clear, golden color. 1/2 inch head of an off-white color. Good retention and great lacing. Smells of hops, earthy malt, and sweet malt, and some citrus. Fits the style of an American Blonde Ale. Mouth feel is smooth and slightly thick with an average carbonation level. Tastes of hops (not too strong or bitter), earthy malt, sweet malt, citrus (fruit-loops), and some more hops in the finish. Overall, good bodied, smooth, inviting, well-blended blonde ale.

Serving type: on-tap

09-29-2009 02:07:41 | More by Tone

beertunes

Washington

3.85/5  rDev +1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Best before date of Jan. 29 2010. Poured into NB goblet. Poured a clean, clear, bright golden straw color. Even with an aggressive pour, less than 1/4 inch of white head appeared and had poor retention but left attractive lacing.

A very pleasant and pleasing grain aroma greets the nose, then is followed by an interesting hop scent. The flavors were very tasty, a pleasing mix of the malt and hop.

The body was typical for the style, but still crisp and refreshing. Drinkability is excellent, You want to, and could have, a bunch of these in a row and remain pleased throughout. This will be a great beer for tailgates and fall parties in the backyard.

Overall, a very pleasant surprise from a brewery that I don't have high expectations for. I'm sure this beer will be near you soon, I think you'll be as happy with it as I am.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2009 22:57:28 | More by beertunes

kylehay2004

Florida

3.85/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Enjoyed on tap at the brewery.

A: single finger head, clear amber color with little lace

S: pale malt and some earthy hop notes.

T: excellent flavor and nice hops with a semi bitter finish. Grain notes.

M: medium body and moderate to high carbonation.

Overall: A drinkable beer that is relatively simple.

Serving type: on-tap

09-27-2011 01:42:28 | More by kylehay2004

twiggamortis420

Texas

3.43/5  rDev -10%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12 oz bottle with a freshness code of 19MAR10. Pours a brilliantly clear, medium yellow color with a creamy topping of white head. Retention is excellent as is the lacing. This is a great looking beer.

Smell is hopalicious, as tropical, grassy and piney hop aromas are dominant. I guess that is to be expected with five varietals of cones. There is a bit of underlying snappy wheat and grainy barley in there, but they definitely take a backseat to the fresh aromatic hops.

I get the spiciness of the rye, crisp wheat and creamy oats, but it almost seems like it is too much for a blonde ale to handle, especially with the multitude of hops assaulting the palate at the same time. Bitterness is high and hop flavor is very grassy and hay-like. After the delicious aroma, I feel like the taste has let me down a bit. Just too much going on in this beer for me to find it overly enjoyable, although I applaud NB for trying something like this.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2009 01:34:19 | More by twiggamortis420

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

3.98/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle poured into a Nonic. 40 IBUs, Serve at 45 degrees F, 6% ABV, Best before 12FEB10.

A - Totally clear golden yellow with a rocky white head. A solid two-finger construction with good retention and superb lacing on the glass. Totally blanketing any area of the glass possible.

S - Plenty of American hops burst fourth in the nose. A lot of grapefruit citrus punch with a bit of resiny, sappy, pine needle. The hops are balanced well by a sweet malt backbone, but still take the lead.

T - It's a nicely balanced beer that, while maintaining the American hop presence up front, allows for a good malty structure underneath. The hops are still citrusy grapefruit with the pine resin but not as potent as the aroma would lead you to believe. The malty backbone has a complexity to it with a sweet touch and holds it all together.

M - Well-carbonated but smooth, this medium-bodied golden ale goes down nicely . It's a bit slick and oily on the tongue too.

D - A good early fall beer, it's crisp and refreshing qualities blended with it's medium-body and bouquet of hops makes it a drinking winner! A fantastic beer to cool off with after a brisk afternoon of raking leaves.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2009 02:10:59 | More by BeerFMAndy

smakawhat

Maryland

3.88/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from the bottle into a nonic pint glass.

A very shocking large white head with some fairly good retention and foamy, sits on a crystal clear lager like straw gold body.

Sweet grain and almost corn like, but goes more to honey on the nose. Faint hint of grass like hop, but sweetly dominant smelling.

Taste is a hop and grass mix of crispness. Sweet grain in the mid palate and doesn't bring a hind of adjunct suggested from the nose. Small lingering hop bitter on the finish with some citrus zest in the aftertaste. Texture is a nice mix of smooth and crisp.

Overall pretty enjoyable, and highly drinkable as well.

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2011 03:41:17 | More by smakawhat

FosterJM

California

3.88/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

948th Review on BA
Draft to pint
16oz

@Lucilles, Chino Hills, CA

App- A very golden color with some streaking yellow and only a 1/2 finger of head that fell to a great wall of sheen and cling.

Smell- A good crisp aromatic little beer with a bunch of little notes to comprise a very subtle one. A little citrus and a little wheat and a little bit of floral.

Taste- A crisp little beer with a little bit of each aromatic note flowing into the taste. A little bit of wheat, malt and citrus with out a very minute touch of bitter from some hop oils. One of the better blondes I have had.

Mouth- Light bodied and a medium/high carbonation level. A good bit of bubbles with a touch of hop oil and floral malt residual flavors.

Drink- A light and refreshing little beer with some solid flavors and creates a good pairing with a tri-tip & pasilla pepper sandwhich, really cut the heat and refreshed at the same time. Alone, I probably wouldn't have this beer but with that meal yes.

Serving type: on-tap

11-16-2011 05:04:43 | More by FosterJM

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.33/5  rDev -12.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

turns out hoptober isnt very octobery at all. the tap had autumnal colors and fall leaves all over it, i thought this beer would do much more justice to the season. poured a watery yellow into a pint glass, nice lacey head. aromas of hops are robust and somehow also seemingly delicate. mouthfeel is light, this beer doesnt have much of a body to speak of. taste is good, not as unique as other new belgium beers, but its a nice pint. i enjoyed it with a burrito, but i find it not too fall. might be better as a spring seasonal, light and growing kind of, like spring itself. it worked out well enough though, given that october 1st here in denver was sunnny and 80 degrees.

Serving type: on-tap

10-02-2011 19:17:32 | More by StonedTrippin

champ103

Texas

3.8/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a clear golden/yellow color. A small white head forms and leaves some light lace.
S: Citrus, grassy, and floral hops. Some grapefruit bitterness. Not much sweetness for balance.
T: Follows the nose. Citrus, grassy, and floral hops again. Some bread and grain. Not much else, but still enjoyable.
M/D: A medium body with crisp carbonation. A little watery. Not hard to drink. Something I can session.

Not bad at all. I can see the appeal for this beer. It just does not do a lot for me. This really is worth a try though.

Serving type: on-tap

10-01-2009 03:37:31 | More by champ103

GClarkage

California

3.5/5  rDev -8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

09/21/09- Purcahsed at Safeway in San Mateo, CA.

Presentation- 12oz bottle, did not look for a freshness code. Poured into a standard pint glass.

Appearance- Nice medium golden colored pour with a sparkiling white 1/2 inch head and some minor lace streaks and spots remaining.

Smell- Some slight grassy aromas, a bit of toasted malt and a decent cascade hoppy aroma.

Taste- Not as hoppy as expected. Fairly light in flavor with a split between a lightly toasted malt and some lighter grapefruit spiked hops. Maybe a touch herbal.

Mouthfeel- Medium carbonation level with a light bitter aftertaste.

Drinkability- Thinking more of a lighter APA rather than a Blonde Ale, but still drinkable and better than average.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2009 20:21:51 | More by GClarkage

tdm168

North Carolina

3.53/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a dark gold with little head that quickly fades. Smells of floral, earthy hops with faint wheat notes. Taste is malty and bready with mild grassy, earthy, floral hops; slight bitterness in the finish. Mouthfeel is light bodied, well carbonated, and refreshing.

Overall a nice beer. Definitely a nice change of pace from the marzen/pumpkin soaked fall market.

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2011 18:43:11 | More by tdm168

Vancer

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Well, this golden ale certainly pours a semi-hazy gold in the tulip glass, nice white head and a layer of sheet lace around the rim.

Certainly not a blond ale as listed here on BA, close to a IPA (or maybe an APA) with all the hops swirling around in the aroma and taste. Bits of citrus, orange and even some toasted bread kick in for a pot puree of flavors. Only one drawback for me, a sturdy dose of floral - but I'll not knock off for a personal quirk. Crisp and clean finish, no hint of any alcohol for this 6% brew.

Another good beer from NB - they continue to crank out nice beers at an economical price.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2009 21:32:41 | More by Vancer