Hop Knot - Four Peaks Brewing Company

falloutsnow

Illinois

3.93/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

From: Gifted by CE from trip to AZ
Date: None on bottle
Glass: Tulip

Pours a 1cm head, just off-white, fades with minimal lacing to just a ring around the glass. Body is a transparent, light copper orange color. Carbonation is visible, active and numerous.

Aroma of citrus, lemon and grapefruit in particular, which is balanced nicely on top of a malt base that is somewhat like sweet tea. Generally very fresh, hoppy, and inviting.

Sweetness and hops are well-mixed, with hops being main attraction. Hop flavors of grapefruit and Meyer lemon, mainly citrus, little pine. Malt base is noticeable in the first half of the sip, again has sweet-tea characters. Bitterness on sides of tongue in back of palate. Aftertaste is mildly sweet and lingering bitterness.

Beer is medium-light in body, a little watery around the edges. Modest carbonation leads to gentle foaming on palate and a creamy mouthfeel.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2013 19:16:33 | More by falloutsnow

bashiba

Iowa

3.3/5  rDev -19.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

poured a nice clear golden with a thick white head.

The smell is lightly hoppy with a touch of lemon.

the flavor is mild with a lightly bready malt backbone. the hop flavors are mild for an IPA. The bitterness is very low for IPA as well. Drinks more like a nicely hopped blonde.

Nice smooth and creamy mouth feel.

Good but doesn't really feel like IPA.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2012 23:23:09 | More by bashiba

ocelot2500

Arizona

4.22/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a clear golden color with a tight, white head that leaves a nice sheet of lacing.

Smells of bright citrus hops.

Tastes of the bright hops with a solid malt base. Hops hits first with notes of grapefruit, pine, and some tropical fruits. Malts add some brown sugar, caramel, and bread on the end. Solidly bitter.

Mouthfeel is medium with a slightly smooth amount of carbonation.

Overall, a good IPA that is more than worth the price, and could be great if some tweaks were made to the recipe.

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2011 03:37:33 | More by ocelot2500

aval89

Arizona

4.08/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

a: pours a nice deep golden color.. solid finger worth of head.. some bubbles streaming up..

s: right away i got hit with that signature cat-piss simcoe aroma.. fresh green grass hop as well.. also some overall fruitiness with an almost cake-like aroma..

t: upfront is that green leafy/wet hoppiness..then you get hit with some mild citrus & some fruitiness.. some caramel malt also pulls through.. finish is semi-bitter with mild citrus rind bitterness..

mf: light-medium body with an almost crisp feel.

o: solid ipa for arizona.. not sure on the freshness.. cant wait for this to be start rolling out in cans!!

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2011 10:52:01 | More by aval89

azdback

Arizona

4.38/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Just picked this one up at Papago Brewing in Scottsdale. Poured into a Spaten tumbler glass. Light, clear orange color. Medium carbonation bubbles with a one finger bright white head. Looking pretty sticky now.

Smell is an overpowering green, leafy, wet hop aroma. Citrus smells of yellow grapefruit rind.

Taste is over the top. Just a fresh, green, resiny, oily hop taste. Tart orange flavor. The only other beer I have had with this hop profile is Abrasive. Just fantastic.

Mouth is what it should be for the style. Bright and easy to drink. Rich and not a bit watery anywhere in the swallow. Very enjoyable!!!

Overall I feel like a douchebag!! This has been in my backyard for many years and I just tried it? I was told but didn't believe. A fantastic representation of the style and a must try if you are in the Phoenix metro area!!

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2011 07:03:30 | More by azdback

Georgiabeer

Georgia

4.1/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours golden with a somewhat scant head. Nice fresh aromas of hay, wax, citrusy and piney hops. Well balanced. The taste is equally balanced. A tad on the grainy side, but lightly resinous hops with a waxy, citrus zing and some light pine and earth give a reasonable level of bitterness, and a certain moreish quality. Quite tasty, and nice to see this in the bottle.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2011 02:59:46 | More by Georgiabeer

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.18/5  rDev -22.2%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

From notes:

12 oz bottle received as an extra. Pours a very slight hazy pale golden yellow color with two finger frothy white head that quickly settles into a thin ring. Minimal spots of lacing.

Very bland aroma that isn't very hoppy. Slightly floral with pale malt and light citrus fruit notes in the nose.

Medium bodied with some earthy bitter hops up front that are quickly countered by a pilsner malt like backbone. Slightly earthy/piny before with hints of subtle citrus. Crisp and easy to drink with a slightly dry finish but nor very exciting.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2010 02:29:27 | More by corby112

ShogoKawada

Rhode Island

4.13/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz thanks to Phelps in Blind Beers BIF III.

Blind review.

A- Nice filtered pale golden color, thin but lasting head, sticky but spotty lacing. 2nd pour kicks up a bit more head.

S- Tropical fruity hops, nice resiny sticky hop nug aromas.

T- IPA for sure, good fruity bouquet and great clean bitterness. Tangerine, honeydew, mango/papaya. Pretty pale, no heavy malts here.

M- Mot much malt, drying, def. a west coast interpretation of an IPA. Really easy to drink.

D- High.. Easy drinking, low ABV, strong hops. Hop profile kind of reminds me of sculpin (nowhere near as intense though). I enjoyed this one a lot- if this is available to you locally, buy some.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2010 00:32:14 | More by ShogoKawada

Florida9

Illinois

3.48/5  rDev -14.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Clear amber gold in color. Forms a smallish, rocky white head that reduces down to a rocky surface coating. Good lacing.

S: Some light hops. Citrus and pine. Aroma is kind of weak, though.

T: Caramel malt, biscuit malt. Pine resin bitterness. Slightly sweet with a lot of unpleasant bitterness. Way off balance.

M: Lighter bodied with active carbonation.

D: A decent beer, but out of balance. Lighter bodied, but still malty, with the hops never really showing through in a positive way. Out of balance? yes. Out of date? possibly, but no way to tell.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2010 03:22:15 | More by Florida9

boomer31

Minnesota

4.2/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Taken from notes 10/8/10

A - Clear and bright yellowish orange with a tiny white head that leaves rather quickly

S - Big piney and citrus hops. Very nice nose, almost no malt just luscious hops

T - Piney and grassy hops from start to finish with a touch of fruity hops only after your palate adjusts. The finish is dry and grassy but not overyly dry.

M - A light IPA, very crisp and dry. High carb

D - I couldn't put this down. I really enjoy all the hops from the nose to the finish.

I was impressed by the balance of hops in this beer. Very nice array of hops from pine to grass to fruit...a very solid American IPA

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2010 16:44:30 | More by boomer31

DPFRD

Arizona

4.43/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- Clear Golden with a sudsy head.

S- Citrus and Floral hops exploding all over.

T- This beer is intense first sip. Just a crazy wonderful mix of hops. Spicy, bitter and citrus all dominating. The aftertaste is nice and will leave your mouthwatering.

M- Spicy & carbonated, light bodied.

D- I can't explain how awesome this beer is. At 6% it's got nut, but you can still pound them.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2010 20:51:31 | More by DPFRD

yourefragile

District of Columbia

3.63/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle poured into a nonic. Thanks Phelps!

Pours a clear golden amber color with a quickly dissipating foamy white head. Leaves behind intricate webs of lacing. Aroma is mild, sweet with citric and pine hops and light caramel malt. Body is a little too thin for the style, but appropriate fine carbonation. Flavor has a strong citric hop sweetness and a malty and grainy presence that doesn't quite balance it, so much as fight it. Reminds me a lot of the Starr hill northern lights IPA, in that it smells like an above average IPA but falls apart a little in the flavor and body.

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2010 00:17:56 | More by yourefragile

craytonic

District of Columbia

3.45/5  rDev -15.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: clear gold-copper, some head and lacing

Smell: Bit of hops, pine, grapefruit, orange tangerine, and sweet malt, a little weak

Taste: Very crisp, if that is a taste. bit of piney hops up front with some medium-body malt on the back-end adding a bread element.

Drinkability: nice to try, but very forgettable. You could put a few back though.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2009 00:23:47 | More by craytonic

fo5s

District of Columbia

3.75/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12oz bottle courtesy of Tayner (also got one from Justn!) in a trade. I loved the first one and decided to review the second bottle she sent. No date on the bottle, but it was relatively fresh when Tayner sent it and it's been in the fridge ever since.

a- pours clear, rather pale, with a fluffy 2 finger head

s- citrusy hops, but not overly sharp, coming from the west I set the bar high and it doesn't disappoint

t- hop forward profile, with a small amount of citrus, and surprisingly balanced given the origin. Could be sharper on the hops

m- fluffy feeling, good carbonation for the style

d- very drinkable, 6% abv so I could have a few of these. That said, not the most drinkable IPA I've had.

overall a very enjoyable beer. I wouldn't go out of my way for this, and it's not irreplaceable, but I'd love to have this as a local/standby...thanks Tayner! We'll have to see how this compares to leatherlips, which I sent her.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2009 02:33:46 | More by fo5s

seaoflament

California

3.08/5  rDev -24.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to Joey for opening up this bottle at La Bella Pizza tonight. I have heard quite a bit about this beer and wanted to try it for a while.

This beer poured a bit too pale for an IPA in my opinion, almost a straw yellow but with a decent amount of head, good lacing too.

Huh? Hardly any hops detectable on the nose, what I first pick up is a weird dirty grain aroma. Maybe a little citrus after the beer warms up, some grassy tones, light caramel, but there really isn't all that much in there.

Tastes grainy, and the grain bill does not seem to be in harmony in this beer. Hardly any hops in the flavor as well, just a little earthy at times. Some lemon flavor later on. Very thin body. Faint caramel in the finish.

Decent carbonation but a bit too thin for an ipa, seems more like a pale ale.

Quite disappointed in this one, not sure if we had an old bottle but it doesn't seem like it...the malt was also very thin.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2009 07:48:34 | More by seaoflament

Deuane

Pennsylvania

4.3/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to sholland119 for sharing a bottle of this one.

A-Brilliant orange kissed golden yellow with a thin white head and a little bit of lacing.

S-Tart citrus of grapefruit, tangerine and orange. Low amount of malt sweetness detected.

T-Potent citric acid punch with a boat load of citrus fruit flavour. Most of it a bland of grapefruit and orange. Notes of softer fruit flavours in the background such as apple and peach. A complimenting malt sweetness in the finish.

M-Medium body with a pleasant, long lasting bitterness.

D-A totally solid and nearly sessionable west coast IPA. All the citrus hoppy goodness that I crave with a minimal amount of malt sweetness....YUMMY!

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2009 16:27:41 | More by Deuane

sholland119

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Got this in Secret Santa '08. Thanks, Tayner.

A-Clear golden apricot with a thin white head and a little bit of lacing.

S-Lots and lots of grapefruit. Yummy!

T-Nicely citric with a bit of honey sweetness in the finish.

M-Nice lingering bitterness, a bit dry.

D-A quite drinkable West Coast IPA.

HV

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2009 02:52:48 | More by sholland119

sonicdescent

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Received this one as an extra, I wish I took better notes so that I could thank whoever it was, but you're out there and Cheers to trading anyway!

Pours a very nice golden hue with a nice bubbly head that dissipates into a reasonably thick crown. Carbonation is very active in my Samuel Adams sensory glass.

Smell is actually very close to DIPA territory, pretty potent stuff. Hop sweetness is prevalent, mostly of the citrus and pine resin variety.

Taste, while more potent than most IPAs is still weak for my DIPA battered palate, but what is there is quite tasty and even refreshing for IPA standards. For specifics, see the smell, but this is sweeter and more drinkable than a lot of other IPAs that I find too puckeringly bitter.

Mouth is thin to medium in body and reasonably heavy on the carbonation. Works well here.

A very drinkable IPA and I'm pretty sad that I will probably not have the opportunity to try this one again, but glad I had this one chance. Very good stuff.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2009 22:15:59 | More by sonicdescent

MasterSki

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks for tayner for throwing me a couple of these. Served in the usual Surly pint glass.

A - A half finger of cream-white foam that dissipates quickly - nice lacing though! Murky golden-yellow color. Not all that interesting.

S - Very balanced - some sweet citrus hoppiness with loads of tangerine, orange, grapefruit, and a hint of pine, and some sweet caramel malts with maybe a touch of honey and biscuit.

T - Tastes a lot like it smells, which is a good thing. Again - very balanced, with hoppy tropical flavors, a hint of pine, sweet caramel malt, honey, and bread. Not particularly unique, but well crafted. Aftertaste is neutral.

M - Smooth, with a little prickly carbonation at the tip of the tongue. Good viscosity and nice residual oily resin.

D - It's got all the things I like for sessions - low alcohol, not overcarbonated, no strong aftertaste, and a nice flavor. If I lived in Phoenix I'd keep a sixer of this in the fridge.

Don't let the B+ fool you - this is a sold session IPA option that has a score skewed by its lackluster appearance. If it looked a little better it'd compare to Stone IPA and Two-Hearted.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2009 21:18:29 | More by MasterSki

darleys

Arkansas

4.55/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Aroma smells strongly of citrus. Grapefruit is the dominating taste coming from the copious amounts of flavor hops. Bitterness is bellow average for an IPA. Mouthfeel is light to medium. I enjoyed the beer immensely and see this as being interchangeable with Hopslam.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2009 02:01:55 | More by darleys

grub

Ontario (Canada)

3.98/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

got this bottle from tayner. thanks dana!

pours crystal clear golden yellow with a thin layer of dense white head. the head drops fairly quick and leaves spotty lace behind.

aroma is good. orange, tangerine, grapefruit. pine. honey and caramel. biscuit and white bread. light alcohol. touch of toasty character too.

taste is good. medium bitterness level. pine and grapefruit. orange peel. orange and tangerine pulp. lightly toasted white bread. touch of biscuit. the alcohol is almost completely hidden, until a touch of warmth starts in my stomach. there's a bit of a metallic or mineraly character too.

mouthfeel is good. medium-light body. medium-light carbonation level.

drinkability is good. nicely balanced, hiding its alcohol well. the metallic component is a little odd. i didn't mind it overall.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2009 23:03:30 | More by grub

Viggo

Ontario (Canada)

3.5/5  rDev -14.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Big thanks to grub for splitting this bottle.

Pours a clear light amber/golden yellow, thin white head forms, drops to a thin ring pretty quick, but holds there, some lace spots on the glass. Smell is pretty hoppy, lots of grapefruit and pineapple, some floral, caramel, really neat orange peel and vanilla aroma, like a creamsicle, smells great. Taste is nice, quite dry and bready at first, sweet malt, some pine and grapefruit, iron/metallic, almost bloody like, bitter orange peel, bread crust finish, balanced finish. Mouthfeel is light to medium bodied with medium carbonation, but it has a real blood flavour, and kind of feels like swallowing blood in the back of your throat, its weird. Smells real nice though, thanks Russ!

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2009 22:57:08 | More by Viggo

flexabull

California

4.35/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle courtesy of Tayner, thanks again!

Pours a bright gold color with a faint white head.

Aromas are very nice. Great smelling IPA, really fresh hops, bright citrus, oranges, and a little hard candy sweetness.

Taste is quite dry, a little prickly on the mouthfeel. Really hop forward, grassy, resin like, with some citrus orange flavors. A touch of malt sweetness is hidden in the background, it's there, but it takes a back seat to the big hop flavors. Finish is crisp, with a short snappy finish.

Mouthfeel is pretty good, a little prickly at first, but smooths out nicely.

Drinkability is quite good. This is a very tasty IPA. Lots of fresh hop flavors, but not too overpowering. Very drinkable, I'd be happy to drink another. Good stuff!

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2009 02:55:44 | More by flexabull

ClockworkOrange

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to nvsblman for including this in my secret santa package. Poured into my Hop Knot shaker glass (also courtesy of santa). Appears a clear golden yellow color with barely half an inch of thin foam that quickly vanishes to a thin layer. Smells and tastes of caramel malt, lemon, pine needles and grapefruit. Smells and tastes much better than it's appearance leads on (kind of like Sunshine Pils does). Medium body and carbonation. A nicely done IPA.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2009 17:42:02 | More by ClockworkOrange

Pamola

Vermont

4.2/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to stubone for the trade. never tried an az beer before this one.

A: Poured a fairly yellow color with a small, white head measuring less than a finger. Dissipates quickly.

S: Damn! Heavy citrus hops, loaded in grapefruit aroma. Stuff smells like it would cure scurvy in a heartbeat. Aroma is a little one-dimensional but it's incredibly intense and rather mouth-watering.

T: Wow. Sweet and fruity and as said before, intensely hoppy. It's not brutally bitter though, which is nice. It doesn't dry out your mouth and allows that sweetness and citrus to come through more.

M: Maybe a little on the watery side but the hops dance on the palate wonderfully.

D: Could certainly drink plenty of this, even though it's nearly a grapefruit beer. It's very very tasty.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2009 05:59:17 | More by Pamola