HellRazer - DuClaw Brewing Company

JPlo

Maryland

4.54/5  rDev +24.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Orange copper or light honey color. Hazy clarity. Head is creamy with above average lacing and lasting.

Smell/Taste: Aroma is nicely aromatic. can smell the hop. Taste orange or grapefruit peel... or some other exotic fruit. hops are very complex and interesting (a very good interesting). bottle says it uses New Zealand hops. Malt is present and balances the hop rather well.

Feel: smotth, light carbination, medium bodied, avg-long lasting with a wetish finish.

Overall: Very good, I really enjoyed the interesting exotic flavors. Will def be buying again.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2013 16:12:12 | More by JPlo

HopeinHop

Virginia

4.45/5  rDev +21.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Poured steady and observed a beautiful mixture of copper brown and gold elixir as it finished to a one finger lingering head.

S: Slightly floral:roselike, fruity: strawberry, peach, honey..some malt. It's not your average west coast ipa because of the new zealand hop usage but I really like it, enjoyable scent

T: A Fruit & pine taste lingers bitter, not complex on malt so hop taste is forward. There's some tang and alcohol to it as it warms. New hop flavors made this an enjoyable brew to try. Different strains are always fun to try, especially here when it is a unique hop.

MF: Has a lighter to medium weight, refreshing, session-possible?!,
Bubbly, hoppy.

Finale: Innovative tasting IPA, really enjoy the different flavors/scents here. Comparable in quality and taste to great west coast IPAs on the market. Try this out, support local beer,
trip your taste buds out.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2012 03:14:09 | More by HopeinHop

Spfarner

Maryland

4.38/5  rDev +20%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured a nice red/orange color with white head!

Aroma was out of this world with loads of citrus, grapefruit, and lemon.

Taste was citrus at first with a little sweetness and a very very nice hop bitter towards the end.

Taste and smell of some bread notes!

I enjoyed this just a couple days old directly at the brewpub! So good I had to buy a growler, trust me I'm going back for more!

Serving type: on-tap

01-21-2012 03:25:37 | More by Spfarner

hdofu

Maryland

4.35/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

An really good beer. Came out smelling citrus and a dark then ipa red color with a thin white head. Taste was hoppy and a sweet herbal taste. There was a Crisp clear mouth feel. And without a a doubt this was one drinkable beer, lite enough to drink more then one of.

Serving type: on-tap

10-20-2008 23:53:59 | More by hdofu

slvrmon82

Delaware

4.33/5  rDev +18.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Wow. Best one on the menu. It was perfect. Poured a nice hazy deep red color. Nice 2 finger head that stayed the entire tme. Exceptionally hoppy in the nose. A little spice behind it. The taste was right on. Sweet, creamy, citrus like grapefruit and lemon, with a very floral ending almost sour at the end but in a good way. Mouthfeel was very smooth and creamy. I had a couple of these and want to comeback for more.

Serving type: on-tap

10-22-2008 22:28:45 | More by slvrmon82

alpinebryant

Connecticut

4.28/5  rDev +17.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours a grapefruit orange color with a half inch white head and dusting on the top.

S: Aroma of grapefruit and mildly juicy citrus. Passionfruit scent with wet grass and a tiny bit of pine.

T: Flavors of freshly hopped American IPA, plenty of bitterness mixing with some gentle fruit esters and a grapefruit presence that is rather strong. For the most part this is a very refreshing hop profile. It is not too bitter or too fruity. Relatively earthy hops along with a decent malt bill of biscuit and crackers.

M: Medium to heavy body for an American IPA. I can really enjoy the thickness of this as well as the fact that it is not overly dry.

O: I enjoyed this a lot . Definitely happy to have some Motueka hops in the fridge waiting to be brewed in a future batch of mine. Where the aroma could be better, there is nothing lacking in flavor. This is well rounded and the flavors are not tired like some of the more hopped up American IPAs.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2012 01:49:14 | More by alpinebryant

Theheroguy

Maryland

4.18/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Rich amber color with an off white head. Smells spicy like saaz hops with citrus notes. Taste of lemon lime citrus hops with pine hops in the back ground. The brewery itself describes the aforementioned flavor profile as “tropical fruits”. Surprisingly crisp for an IPA.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 21:39:00 | More by Theheroguy

GiantMidget

Pennsylvania

4.11/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bought in a variety pack at Bryn Mawr beverage.

Poured into a nonic.
Minimal head with slight lacing.

The citrus essence and leafy grassy tones come forth.

The hops are very solid and linger to the back of the tongue. Grapefruit and other citrus pininess come out throughout each sip. This is a really good American IPA that I thoroughly enjoy.
In fact out of the variety pack I drank these pretty quickly.
Good dry nature and medium mouthfeel with just the right amount of carbonation.

Good stuff.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2013 02:50:21 | More by GiantMidget

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Du Claw HellRazer
12 oz. bottle, no apparent freshness dating
$2.95 @ The Beer Shoppe in Ardmore, PA

I've never heard of New Zealand Motueka hops, but I guess I'll find out what they're like as this apparently utilizes "death defying levels" of them.

It pours a hazy orange-colored body beneath a short head of yellowed-white foam. The head retention and lacing are better than average.

The aroma expresses a combination of sweet, caramel-like malt and delicate, spicy and leafy hops with a hint of citrus. It's certainly not as hoppy as I'd expected given the name; nor are the hops as robust as I thought they might be.

The flavor is as the aroma suggests, and it's a really pleasant combination of malt and hops. The malt is gently sweet, and the golden caramel flavor goes just far enough without going overboard. A little too much dark crystal malt and the hops wouldn't come through as they do. As to the hops, I'm really pleasantly surprised. They're a bit spicy, slightly grassy, and just mildly citrusy/fruity (not citrus-rind raspy or tangy like grapefruit, but sweet/tropical like pineapple juice). They could almost pass as noble hops. And I'm not sure if it's the choice of hops, or the balance the brewer has put together (is it still Jim Wagner?), but it seems to work really well. Additionally, the bitterness is kept in check. It's solid, but it's not overdone. Just 5 more IBU's could leave it sticking at the back of your throat, whereas now it fades away relatively easily, and then lingers gently. Some alcohol does sneak through, but given that it's an American IPA I'd expect at least a little. Without it I might feel that something was missing.

If there's a downfall to this beer it's that the head retention could be a little bit better. And I guess it could be clearer if that's your thing. The alcohol? Well, I guess that's an argument too, but I feel it works. The hops do give it a unique quality, and I'm eager for more. Nicely done!

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2013 15:06:03 | More by NeroFiddled

stephenjmoore

Maryland

4.08/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A- Transparent amber body with a thin bone white head.

S- Spicy hop aroma with a slight malt backbone.

T- More hoppiness than the smell would indicate. Some almost Belgian-like spice note mixed in, with some tropical hoppy taste.

M- Very smooth, refreshing and drinkable.

O- Had it on tap a couple weeks earlier and was very impressed. This one had a different taste, but was still very good. Get it fresh if you can.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2012 02:18:37 | More by stephenjmoore

IronLover

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Reddish copper orange in color with a slight haze. Poured with a short, thick foam that reduced to a healthy, thick cap that left lot sheets of sticky lacings on the glass. Pine and citrus hop aromas in close competition with pine aromas a bit more dominant. In addition, to the hops a well defined sweet malty aroma throughout. Medium bodies with a lightly resinous feel up front and a buttery smooth finish. Pine hop flavors with citrus hops just beneath from beginning to end. Sweet malt backbone beneath with a sticky sweetness that lingers at the finish. Finishes with sweet malt and light pine hoppiness.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2012 04:25:00 | More by IronLover

dmamiano

West Virginia

4/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours nice amber with decent off white head...lacing holds nicely.
Smells of citrusy hops mixed perfectly with malts. The scents of caramel,bread, pine, fuits of grapefruit and a twange of orange.
Taste was very nice. Bitter hops take precedence here.
Very nicely balance with malts and nice on the palate. Good feel

Serving type: growler

02-22-2009 13:33:03 | More by dmamiano

gkatsoris

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Semi clear golden yellow. Thin whispy, white head. No lace.

S: Banana's, very similar to a belgian style. Bread and dough. Buttery.

T: Holy bread! Toast. Dough!!! This could pass a belgian-ipa for sure.

M: Thin and creamy. Very nice coat on the tongue. Medium to full bodied.

O: This totally caught me off guard. Not the typical piney/citrust hoppy IPA. Very nice. I could def enjoy a few of these.

thanks runner440!!!

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2012 01:49:31 | More by gkatsoris

nickfl

Florida

4/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A poured with a nice head of sticky white foam on a slightly hazy, dark copper colored body. Good retention and great lace.

S big, fruity hop aroma with lots of grapefruit and mongo as well as a sweet background of toffee malt.

T sweet caramel malt up front with some pine hops. Pungent grapefruit and pineapple notes in the middle with some interesting spicy, almost tea like character coming out in the end and a strong balancing bitterness.

M medium body, moderate carbination and a dry finish.

D a big, malty and pungent ipa. Well balanced despite significant sweetness but I still find the heavy malt a bit excessive and distracting.

Serving type: on-tap

07-26-2012 01:46:24 | More by nickfl

ckollias

Maryland

4/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Enjoyed this on tap at Duclaw Brewery in Bowie, MD out of a pint glass..

A: Pours a clear copper-amber hue with a thick 2-finger white head that slowly dissipates in to a wispy lace.

S: Nice hoppy aroma with a sweet background.

T: Similar to the smell a great hoppy base with enough malt to balance it out well.

M: Medium body and medium carbonation.

O: Very tasty IPA – great flavors and aromas here.

Serving type: on-tap

08-19-2012 19:16:09 | More by ckollias

WesWes

New York

4/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer pours a dark golden/amber color with a thick frothy off-white head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is good. It has a solid pale, carapils, and crystal malt scent; sweet and malty with hints of alcohol. It has a piney/citrusy hop nose that compliments a balanced malt base. The taste is good as well. Again, it's well balanced with plenty of citrus hop flavor as well as pale and crystal malt notes. It goes down at a moderate pace with a touch of alcohol warmth in the finish. The mouthfeel is fine. It is a full bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is a good drinking IPA. It's full flavored and loaded up with hop character; a fantastic beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2012 23:34:49 | More by WesWes

claspada

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours on the darker side of amber with a medium sized egg shell head that recedes rather rapidly.

Aromas begin with hops of grapefruit, tropical fruits and earthy grassiness underneath the sweeter hops. As it warms the caramel maltiness begins to show itself, almost a light toffee.

The tastes follow the nose with citrus zesty hops balanced by the caramel and bready malt base. Then comes the slightly spicy and pineapple hop flavors. There is some more candied/honeyed malt sweetness as it warms.

The mouthfeel is medium bodied with medium carbonation. Finish is pleasantly balanced between the bitter hops and ample maltiness.

Overall this is one of the most drinkable IPAs I have had recently. The bitterness is restrained and balanced by an above average malt backbone for an American style IPA. Definitely more of an East Coast style which I enjoy from time to time. I wish the advertised New Zealand hops popped a bit more as that was the reason I purchased this but it was tasty none-the-less.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2012 16:22:42 | More by claspada

Billolick

New York

3.98/5  rDev +9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle w/o freshness/bottleing date info.

Pours is clear almond amber, moderate lite tan head, goes to a meager film, thin collar and moderate lace left on the glass.

Bold nose of malts, vanilla, and maple with pine hops in the rear.

First, this beer is quite thick and full on the body/mouthfeel scale...more vanilla and bready malts, over a relatively minor hop presence. Has the feel and attitude of a barley wine, w/o the ABV.

Ehh, decent brew, but not really lovin it on a warm summers day. I like my AIPA's with more of a citric bite and a more zesty feel. Again, this feels more like a nice option for a cold winters day...

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2012 18:10:01 | More by Billolick

Umbra

Maryland

3.95/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I heard that this one is filling up space, as they can't get enogh hops to fill up Venom. Our waitress in Fells said she didn't like this one, it tasted like hops.

Clear, light amber brew with a finger or so of white head. Retains and leaves a good bit of lacing. Earthy and citrus hops on the nose.

The earthy/citrus notes come back in the initial rush of flavors, with some nice malt backbone to keep'em honest. Light/medium mouthfeel that finished rather clean. 6% is hidden completely by the hops

Overall: EAsy going brew that would be worth a couple on a warm evening.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2008 19:22:57 | More by Umbra

Gavage

New Jersey

3.9/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: clear orange in color with a 2" head that lingers around a while. Some decent lacing paints the glass.

Smell: floral bitterness with some tart citrus and oranges.

Taste: caramel, oranges, grapefruits, lemon zest, and a bit of grassiness create a decent IPA. Bitterness is not overpowering which is nice. Alcohol is not noticeable at all.

Mouthfeel: lightly crisp at the start and finish, and some dryness arrives late. Aftertaste is full of citrus and is short. Medium bodied beer.

Drinkability: nice IPA that is sessionable. Give this a try if on tap.

Serving type: on-tap

02-15-2009 20:13:34 | More by Gavage

Oakenator

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Pours a nice brownish orange color - slightly unfiltered with a good finger at least of head initially. Head disappates to a nice film on top and a solid ring around the glass. Smell is hoppy but difficult to place in a particular category - good but not over the top. Taste is slightly malty with a good balance with the hops.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 00:45:58 | More by Oakenator

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

3.86/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

I picked this up at Giant in the mix a six cooler enjoyed chilled from a tulip.

The color is deep amber with thick cream cap and tight bead with goodly amount of lace left on the glass. The smell has deep fruity citrus scent like dried apricot and mild herbal odor with slight alcohol ester. The feel is semi-bitter with dry entry and medium full carbonation with mild sweetness and malt body with semi dry finish.

I like the hop flavor that comes forward on the first sip with tropical fruitiness and mild pine accents with subtle malt sweetness that augments the slight hoppy bitterness in the middle with light yeast flavor and fruity tinges in the finish with slight peppery taste. A very impressive IPA with added juice from the NZ hops - I never had Motueka before - a high quality IPA no matter how you slice it

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2013 17:23:32 | More by Slatetank

akorsak

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on-tap at the Fells Point location.

A: The IPA is amber, leaner more towards the red/brown end of the spectrum. A finger of head blanketed the top of the glass but was quick to disappear.

S: The aroma is one of DuClaw's best. Crisp citrus hops tickle the nose with a hop strength. Grapefruit and earthy grasses dominate with the caramel malts also popping through.

T: Much like the nose, the taste is driven by the hop profile. Citrus, particularly grapefruit, is strong, upfront with a resiny touch. Caramel malts are flavorful and provide a strong base for the hops. The finish is pleasantly bitter.

M: The mouthfeel is pretty lively for a hoppy DuClaw beer (in the past, the booze has always gotten in the way). A big improvement over Venom.

D: The ale is a very easy drink with decent flavor and a modest alcohol level. Cheers to DuClaw for going with simplicity.

Serving type: on-tap

02-15-2009 00:03:18 | More by akorsak

marlinsfan4

Maryland

3.78/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Had this on tap a few times, local beer store down the street just started carrying 6 packs of it so decided to pick one up. Pours a copper color, not much head to it. Slightly hoppy aroma. Taste is a bit.. odd. A stronger IPA than most, has more of a sweetness than a bitterness to it that you'd usually expect. Pretty good mouthfeel and finish, but the over-sweetness kind of kills the drinkability. Above average IPA, but if I want a hop bomb I'm going to choose a few other ones over this one.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2012 22:54:05 | More by marlinsfan4

TheBlueWaffle

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Ap- dark orange, pretty thick off white head

Smell - Malty, citrus

Taste - Strong malt in beginning intertwining with some citrus. The New Zealand hops have a strong citrus flavor shining through the malt. Alcohol warmth becomes present after a few seconds.

Mouthfeel - warm, not too slick but not dry

Overall- Not as good as their double IPA but better than the regular. Overall I would buy it again, living so close to DuClaw I try to buy what ever they put out.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2012 01:57:55 | More by TheBlueWaffle