Hoptologist DIPA - Knee Deep Brewing Company

lordofstarside

Nevada

3.58/5  rDev -8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

bomber to snifter

Pours a deep golden orange with a finger of foam. Retention isn't bad, nice thick lacing on the sides. Mild carbonation stemming from the very center of the beer which is pretty interesting.

Smells of juicy hops, with a strong ruby grape fruit shining through. Pine, lemon grass, alcohol and a faint sweet malt is present, has everything a good dipa should have

Taste is of hops, pine, a bit of citrus and some malt. Not a lot going on here, it's pretty bitter but the elements aren't represented well and overall leaves it pretty bland, a big disappointment given the smell

Mouth feel is pretty good, wet finish and good carbonation

Over all given the appearance and aroma I was pretty disappointed by the taste- just not a lot going on here. I'd recommend trying it, but not for the $7 I ended up paying

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2012 01:44:42 | More by lordofstarside

srandycarter

California

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

A - Murky orange, small thin head, some cling bubbly lace.

S - Sweet malt, citrus and maybe a tinge of pine. Mostly citrus.

T - Pretty average. Malt and hops at battle. Pleasant but nothing out of the ordinary for DIPAs. Alcohol well hidden.

M - Medium to light body, somewhat creamy, good carb and fair balance.

D - Pretty easy to drink. Good to try.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2012 23:15:19 | More by srandycarter

vic21234

Illinois

3.65/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

22oz bomber poured into a snifter. No bottled on date listed.

A- Very typical DIPA; Pours a cloudy orange with a small amount of white head that quickly fades to some froth and lacing along the sides of the glass.

S- All hops on the smell, mostly of pine with some grapefruit and citrus in the back end as well.

T- Starts off bitter with the hop presence. The hop bitterness is really all pine for me, I get no citrus in the taste. The end of each taste is just an overall sweet maltiness.

M- Light to medium bodied, carbonated nice, alcohol there but not overly noticeable.

This is a good DIPA, but nothing mind-blowing. Very average in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2012 19:07:24 | More by vic21234

mschind

California

4.3/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Poured from a bomber into a snifter. Brilliant clear reddish orange color with a thin head and not much retention or lacing.

S- Powerful hop blast, grapefruit and pine tar. Hard to pull anything else out of this.

T- Very bitter with just enough malt sweetness to keep it fresh and drinkable. The finish is clean and dry. For 9% ABV, the alcohol is well hidden.

M- Medium body, carbonation a bit on the low side but it is smooth and not at all flat.

O- Another great West Coast hop bomb DIPA.

Serving type: bottle

09-30-2012 21:42:28 | More by mschind

ngeunit1

California

4.43/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours a fairly clear golden-orange color with a finger of frothy white head. The head fades down at a normal pace leaving behind some nice lacing.

S - Aroma is a full of grapefruit, tropical, and pine hops with some sweet caramel and biscuit malts.

T - Starts off with a mix of grapefruit, orange, tropical, and citrus hops with some bitterness and sweet caramel malts. Through the middle, some pine and floral hops come through with more bitterness and some biscuit malts. The finish is a mix of pine and grapefruit hops with some sweet caramel and bready malts and some resiny bitterness.

M - Medium-plus bodied with moderate carbonation. Feels smooth with a bitter and dry finish.

D - Very drinkable. Good strong hop profile with some nice bitterness throughout. Good overall malt and hop balance.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2012 06:28:10 | More by ngeunit1

Nugganooch

California

3.75/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Notes from 09/04/12
22oz bottle into a standard pint glass

A: Hoptologist pours a light brassy caramel color. Effervescent with some superb clarity. Head is almost non-existent as is the cling. Just some light fizzy white stuff. Very minimal in that department.

S: Pine is assertive with some equal parts catty Simcoe hops. Herbal marijuana notes with a touch of citrus fruit. Some caramel sweetness is detected. Pine and cat up in here for sure.

T: Flavors are dominant with evergreen trees but are lacking much depth beyond that. I get a bit of grass and dirty herbal weed stems. Any life of citrus fruit seems pretty muted. There is a good dose of caramel sweetness with a bit of dry cracker malt base. Sharp upper moderate bitterness peppers at the palate. Slight warming alcohol noted but not offensive. Nice big DIPA with some Simcoe action but rather one dimensional.

M: Moderate body with a little creamy consistency. Smooth and crisp overall with a thin watery finish. Hop oils are resinous and a touch astringent on the palate.

D: A nice big DIPA that is rather smooth in drink but lacking much depth of character. The pine oil essence is notable. I would have enjoyed a bit more tropical/citrus fruit integrated here.
Stick with the Simtra.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2012 21:17:20 | More by Nugganooch

MeowTom

3.98/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A- Super clear copper. With huge head that stays around for a while. One of the clearest beers I have ever seen and just a wonderful look to it, maybe one of the best I have seen for a DIPA.

S- A well balance of hops and malt. Some dark carmel notes to it.

T- Very bitter hop to it and man does that slap you in the face. There is a sharpness to the bitter that really goes a long way.

M- Super light and great for a refreshing IPA.

O- Very good DIPA, it is a wonderful example of how huge this category can be and all the different highlights that can happen.

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2012 23:13:44 | More by MeowTom

ikantspel

California

4.33/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

bomber into a pint glass

pours a translucent bronze color with a barely there head and lacing that covers the glass

citrus, grass, pinewood, and orangetree in the nose. very sweet!

some malty sweetness turns into a hoppy peppery burn that lingers on.

not too shabby at all. dont remember the price but couldnt have been over $6. ridiculously good value. i can see a snobby bum sippin this outta a styrofoam cup

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2012 05:33:37 | More by ikantspel

NoLeafClover44

Delaware

3.93/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 oz. bottle poured into a DFH signature goblet.

A - Pours a hazy burnt orange with a steady finger of dense white head. The froth leaves behind lace down the entire glass. Looks very appealing. The head lasts for the duration of my 16 oz. pour.

S - Citrus fruit and brown sugar malts dominate. Some alcohol accompanies the tropical sweetness and floral notes. A lot of good aromas, but they don't meld perfectly.

T - The sweetness from the nose is overpowered by big floral hops. What begins with citrus and tropicals, quickly transitions to a nice bitter finish. Drinkable, without much alcohol in the flavor.

M - Great mellow carbonation as expected from the retention and density of the head. Medium in body.

T - Thanks to FGITP for sending me this one as an extra. An above average big IPA with impressive floral hop flavors. Adequately hoppy for the style, although probably favors balanced over one dimensional. This is one I would get again if it was in my area.

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2012 01:23:18 | More by NoLeafClover44

brydeen

Minnesota

2.88/5  rDev -26%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

22oz bottle poured into a snifter, thanks to cayenne

A: Pours a dark amber color, with a thin off white head. Little retention, and some lacing.

S: Smells musty and dank. Some pine, with a bit of mango as well.

T: Much sweeter than expected. Fruity and moist. Not much bitterness at all, but has a bit of a stale feel to it.

M: Full bodied and creamy. Very subtle carbonation. Slightly heavy.

O: Really dissappointed in this one. It just doesn't come together. The hops just don't pop, in either the smell or the taste. Wouldn't recommend this to anyone

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2012 01:08:45 | More by brydeen

Rhettroactive

Virginia

2.83/5  rDev -27.2%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

From 22oz bomber to Hess imperial pint glass on 6/14/12
*From notes

-- Thanks, cayenne --

A: Clean, fairly dark amber. It looks like a Marzen. A tight 2.75 finger head and good retention follow. Decent lacing coats the glass.

S: The nose is disappointing. I get a lot of stale pine and not much else. Hints of barley linger, too. A touch of booze and an odd Christmas-like spice are present as it warms.

T: A pretty big dose of rustic hops and a bit onion-like up front. Not a lot of fruit, sadly. Dry. There's a coffee ground thing going on. More pine and a big, bold charred malt backbone hits the mid to finish, like it was left to cook while the maltmaster when to lunch.

M: Fairly nice. Big, creamy and dense. Loads of texture, and the carbonation is well done.

O: Meh. This DIPA is at best just ok. Would I appreciate it more if it were from the East Coast? Doubtful, though it certainly drinks like it's from this side of the Mississippi. Lacks the kind of character I look for in a bigger, hop forward West Coast brews. In my opinion, this isn't worth seeking out, as there are better and more readily available DIPA's on your local shelves.

Serving type: bottle

06-24-2012 00:26:12 | More by Rhettroactive

calir1

Oregon

3.13/5  rDev -19.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

This beer was a complete disappointment. In all honesty I could have made this beer on my stove using unsanitized everything and would have been better. How it beat Pliny, let alone any other beer is beyond my imagination. Save the $5 and pick up a Sierra Nevada instead.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2012 03:33:30 | More by calir1

stlunatic15

California

3.38/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

Bottle poured into a tulip.

A: Amber color with a very white head. The beer looks thick.

S: Smells fruity to me; bright red berries, specifically. Maybe a tad bit of plum as well, but very light.

T: Deep, very deep. Definitely hoppy, but not incredibly overpowering. I was expecting it to be almost insane, but it's actually more mild than I had thought. I'm noticing a combination of pine and white grape.

M: It is indeed thick for a DIPA. I know that the majority of them are going to be slightly thicker in general, but this one takes the cake. Quite a short finish though - it's not lingering in my mouth as long as I thought it would.

O: Yes, it's a massively hoppy beer, but I think Knee Deep could've done a better job. I feel like they were too determined to create this particular beer, that they kind of got off-track and only made it to meet the standards of a typical hop head. This beer actually placed 1st in the DIPA festival in my local town, beating Pliny (Younger & Elder) and many others. I honestly disagree with the judges' decisions, but hey - everyone has their own preference. Overall it is not a bad beer, and I would definitely buy it again.

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2012 09:47:10 | More by stlunatic15

facundoCNB

New Jersey

3.83/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

perfectly clear golden amber pour with 2 fingers of fluffy/creamy white head, excellent amounts of lacing. smells of pine, caramel, honey, soap. mellow bitterness up front with a sweet earthy taste on the roof - it's hard to wrap my senses around the flavor.. it's a citrus like bitterness, with hints of dirt/earthy bitterness, almost a burnt caramel like backbone but the bitterness is somewhat subtle, so it's very enjoyable.

smooth on the palate, medium body with a slight creamy feel to it, mildly carbonated yet feels fizzy and refreshing on the roof of the mouth.

this is a great DIPA and for the price ($5) you absolutely can't go wrong. i was honestly blown away after pouring it, the closest pour i'd seen to it was pliny, and even that didn't have as nice of a head as this (score one for the underdog!). granted, the other characteristics weren't as solid, they were all still more than average ..hell, i am VERY strict with my scores, the taste could probably be a 4, but it was just hard to determine what tastes there actually are. even though it is a delicious beer, i feel like it could be slightly more complex with the flavors. everything else is fine. actually, the more i sip it, i rather like the mystery of the mellow bitter-sweet flavors and burping up a sweet pine taste.

anyway, my overall statement on this one is to pick it up if you see it on the shelf. do not think twice.

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2012 06:15:42 | More by facundoCNB

UCLABrewN84

California

3.6/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle shared at drewone’s tasting.

Pours a clear copper orange color with an off-white head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Small streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, honey, and citrus zest aromas. Taste is of malt and herbal and citrus zest hop flavors. There is a medium amount of bitterness with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer with a better smell than taste in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2012 01:02:56 | More by UCLABrewN84

Danny1217

Florida

4.38/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - An orange/amber color with a nice one and a half inch white head with good retention

S - Floral and citrusy. Definitely a bit of a pine scent

T - Wow, it's very hoppy, as expected with the 102 IBU. It's also quite malty though, with some sweetness to balance it. It has a strong citrus taste.

M - Smooth for an IPA. Fairly heavy body with lots of carbonation

O - For a beer I picked up rather randomly while in San Francisco, this is surprisingly good. According to BA this has only been brewed once, which is a shame. It would be nice to see Knee Deep Brewing gain a little recognition.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2012 07:12:30 | More by Danny1217

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer looks nice. (As does the label. Lol. Funny.) The beer is good. It has some interesting woody malty tones to it. But the hop tones are very vibrant and firm and working well. There is an earthy and salty tone that really works nicely. Floral tones really kick in on the end. It's nice. It won't win style points, but I certainly think it gets the job done (well). I can suggest this one.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2012 05:25:20 | More by RblWthACoz

MasterSki

Illinois

3.7/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle thanks to Matt (donttazemebro). Served in a Bell's tulip. Bottle says 012 D-1 1606, whatever that means.

A - Near-perfect appearance - two fingers of creamy white foam that slow settle to a creamy, thick cap, leaving behind glass-coating lace. Transparent golden body with stray bubbles rising throughout.

S - Super piney, with mild dank and bitter grapefruit rind aromas as well. Undercurrent of tropical fruits and brown sugar malt, with the latter intensifying as the beer warms up. Perhaps a touch of alcohol as well.

T - The flavor is heavier on tangerine and orange-esque citrus, with balanced sweetness, zest, and bitterness. Again, some mild tropical fruits, grassy notes, and a bready malt character. Moderate bitterness in the finish.

M - Smooth, medium-full body, with a chewy texture to it. Fairly low carbonation, and minimal alcohol presence. I started to get a buzz on my second glass, so the alcohol is there, but not very perceptible. Finish is surprisingly clean, with some mild resinous hop oils that linger.

D - Wow, the reviews for this one seem to be all over the map. While it's not a top tier DIPA for me it was pretty easy to drink and didn't seem plagued by any of the issues cited by other reviews (diacetyl, thin body, etc.). I'm surprised it beat Pliny at the Bistro DIPA fest, but it's a fairly enjoyable, above-average beer. I had no problem finishing the bomber, but I'm glad this was an extra.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2012 02:04:08 | More by MasterSki

51mmz0rz

New Jersey

4.35/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22oz bottle into a Duvel Tulip. No bottle date visible.

A: Clear medium amber. Thick white head, fine bubbles, good retention.

S: Mango and citrus aromas dominate. Some pine. Very nice.

T: Certainly a hop driven beer. Not much malty sweetness, yet it doesn't feel unbalanced.

M: Feels slightly under carbed (maybe it was a rough pour). But otherwise the mouthfeel is very good, not too thick

D: I don't usually gravitate toward DIPAs, but this is a really great example. In my case this is a local brewery, so even though there was no bottle date, I'd imagine it's fairly fresh.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2012 04:18:05 | More by 51mmz0rz

ckcanady

California

3.9/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A- Pours a golden orange. Good head but not the best retention.

S- Super floral aroma with a citrus background. Very small nose of malt.

T- Well balanced for 102 IBU. But it is all hops! Very floral hop flavor to it with a little grapefruit towards the end. But the floral hops return and linger (a good thing).

M- Slight creaminess which is off for me should be a little more full bodied for an imperial IPA. However the hop oils do linger for about 10 seconds. Okay carbonation bite.

O- I think its a good example of the style and a little differnt from most other DIPA's but I dont get the hype. But to each his own. Overall a tasty brew.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2012 04:56:38 | More by ckcanady

Heatwave33

Florida

3.8/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 650ml bottle to a Cigar City Snifter.

Color: A slightly cloudy golden orange with an off white head.

Smell: Floral hops and oranges up front. Followed with pineapples and peaches.

Taste: Pineyn floral hops and oranges up front. Followed by pineapple and grapefruit. The orange comes out slightly on the end again.

Mouthfeel: Good carbonation. Coarse with a full dryness on the palate.

Overall: Medium bodied with a nice balance. The aroma is fantastic! The price is great too! Cheers.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2012 03:15:46 | More by Heatwave33

DovaliHops

California

4.03/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a very clear, golden-orange color with a small-medium white head that disappears quickly. Scent is quite inviting with some dank hoppiness and lovely pine aroma. Some nice citrus notes as well. Taste is initially citrusy with some grass-like flavors. A pretty good malt profile as well...which I tend to like less of in my DIPAs. Nice, clean bitterness on the back of the tongue. Sweet citrus in the front. Mouthfeel is crisp and medium bodied. ABV very well-hidden. Drinkability is very high. Overall, this here is a solid DIPA from a brewery that I don't know too much about. Had the pale last night and enjoyed it. Someone told me this beer beat PtE in the Hayward DIPA festival...I was there (I didn't vote), and I do not remember this beer. I don't see how it could have beat Pliny though.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2012 06:09:42 | More by DovaliHops

DavoleBomb

Ohio

3.63/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a snifter. Big thanks to Bilbosnuts for this.

4.0 A: Super clear pale orange color. Two fingers of Frothy off-white head. Retention is average at best, but a ton of lacing is left.

4.0 S: Flowery and super citrusy hops. Mango, papaya, and orange stick out the most. Very little neutral maltiness and not much else. Simple, but quite pleasant.

3.5 T: Like the nose, this is all hops, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Moderate or a bit more bitterness. Hop flavor, in descending order, includes orange, grapefruit, pine, mango. It's tasty.

3.5 M: Medium body. Good moderate carbonation. Fine, but lacking the creaminess that I like in a good DIPA.

3.5 D: Tasty beer, but unfortunately this occupies the same style as many stellar beers, which makes this one a bit less impressive.

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2012 00:56:07 | More by DavoleBomb

StLThrash

Missouri

3.98/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Received in a trade with Rizalini - thanks again, Bryin!

22 ounce bomber poured into my Dogfish Head signature glass.

A - Beautiful looking beer. Very clear, golden, with a frothy 2 finger head that lasts a while. Left lots of lacing.

S - Grapefruit, piney, pineapple, orange rind - some biscuity malt presence as well. No real hint of alcohol at first, but as it warms, alcohol is present. Nice smelling beer.

T - Bitter up front, a little sweet on the finish. Alcohol is well hidden, even as it warms (unlike the nose which is prevalent). Hops is the star here, with malt taking a backseat.

M - A bit juicy, creamy, well-balanced and good carbonation.

Overall - a very nice DIPA... glad I tried it and would definitely drink again.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2012 14:30:14 | More by StLThrash

AleWatcher

Illinois

2.83/5  rDev -27.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Bomber into tulip pint.
This was an extra tossed in by sideswipe. Thanks a lot John. This 60 pound monster of a box is another in a series of boxes in which each has outdone the last-- you're the best.

Clear, bright, lightly orange-tinted golden color. Light off white head of 3/4 finger head... Really great retention. Average lacing.

Smells faintly sweet, but predominantly dry bready malts lead the way.
Very bitter-- I think this beer overdid the bittering hops and skimped during the other parts of the boil. There is a little citrusy note, with a floral hop note alongside.

Feel is a a touch thin, but decent carbonation.

Overall-- this is not bad, but it isn't really good either. It is average.... The best thing it has on its side is that it hides the 9% ABV pretty effectively. Otherwise, it is unimpressive, though not unpleasant either.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2012 03:12:18 | More by AleWatcher