Terrapin Big Hoppy Monster - Terrapin Beer Company

eclipse54

Idaho

4.47/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A 12 ounce bottle from jyounger30; thank you very much for this delicious brew! A 2011 bottling into an Alaskan pint glass...

The pour is a gorgeous, dark mahogany/amber color. Brown and ruby hues dance throughout the body as it sits beneath a centimeter thick layer of cream-colored bubbles that constitute the head. It dissipates slightly faster than I'd hoped, but that's a minor gripe.

The smell begins the wonderful experience that is the Big Hoppy Monster. The toasted malt, toffee, caramel, brown sugar, and bit of hoppy citrus immediately inform me that this is my type of amber.

The taste follows through with caramel, toffee, plenty of toasted malt, some orange citrus, and a subtle hoppy finish (read slightly piney and bitter). The alcohol is completely hidden. While my brian knows that this one should probably be sipped, by mouth prevents that from being possible. This thing was gone before I knew it, and I was very sad.

The mouthfeel is phenomenal; very smooth throughout, and the additional hop presence prevents it from becoming too sticky or sweet on the finish.

This is a very well done amber, and my favorite to date. I probably should have rated it higher still, but I wanted to leave room should I discover something else on/above this level. My only complaint with it is that I cannot buy it locally, for this would be a staple of my fridge. Jay, I cannot thank you enough for this one!

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2011 02:31:34 | More by eclipse54

mikeincharleston

South Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +4.4%

05-20-2013 23:51:37 | More by mikeincharleston

twenty5

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -1.7%

05-17-2013 15:27:02 | More by twenty5

oldedog

Connecticut

4.25/5  rDev +4.4%

05-05-2013 01:10:24 | More by oldedog

brudz2134

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +10.6%

05-04-2013 04:29:22 | More by brudz2134

adamwn

South Carolina

4/5  rDev -1.7%

04-14-2013 22:41:57 | More by adamwn

jucifer1818

Florida

4/5  rDev -1.7%

03-23-2013 16:51:41 | More by jucifer1818

DaPan

Ontario (Canada)

4.5/5  rDev +10.6%

03-12-2013 01:16:56 | More by DaPan

Travcofarms

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev -20.1%

03-09-2013 03:01:14 | More by Travcofarms

t0rin0

California

3.5/5  rDev -14%

02-27-2013 12:57:42 | More by t0rin0

UnderPressure

South Carolina

4/5  rDev -1.7%

02-26-2013 15:33:15 | More by UnderPressure

joshbrink

Alabama

4/5  rDev -1.7%

02-05-2013 01:57:17 | More by joshbrink

Budinetz

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +10.6%

02-04-2013 19:24:09 | More by Budinetz

GeorgianBayPackr

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +4.4%

02-03-2013 22:56:27 | More by GeorgianBayPackr

DmanGTR

New York

4.25/5  rDev +4.4%

01-31-2013 21:42:44 | More by DmanGTR

UCLABrewN84

California

3.93/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to Wowcoolman for sharing this one at jmgrub's tasting.

Pours a murky orange-brown with a foamy beige head that settles to wisps of film on top of the beer. Small streaks and dots of lace form around the glass on the drink down either. Smell is of malt, brown sugar, and some mild herbal hop aromas. Taste is much the same with a sweet flavor on the finish. There is a mild amount of hop bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp and medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer that is tasty and easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2013 04:42:52 | More by UCLABrewN84

drewone

California

4/5  rDev -1.7%

01-28-2013 02:34:06 | More by drewone

BigDaddyJohn

South Carolina

3/5  rDev -26.3%

01-20-2013 17:08:38 | More by BigDaddyJohn

jnance34

North Carolina

4/5  rDev -1.7%

01-13-2013 02:43:50 | More by jnance34

ELECTRONICAnonymous

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -1.7%

12-31-2012 20:44:43 | More by ELECTRONICAnonymous

StefanosG

Florida

3.75/5  rDev -7.9%

12-30-2012 17:14:52 | More by StefanosG

mullenite

Florida

4/5  rDev -1.7%

12-29-2012 14:38:06 | More by mullenite

baybum

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -1.7%

12-29-2012 12:53:35 | More by baybum

dsigmon

Virginia

4.2/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had one of these on draft and took a growler home with me after :)

A: Gorgeous deep amber but little to no head retention.

S: Excuse me for being slightly congested but I caught the sweet malty smell with a nice touch of pine and oranges...need to get over this cold.

T: The first thing I noticed was how well balanced this beer was. A perfect combination of sweet malts and slightly bitter hoppiness, not overwhelming as the name may suggest. A nice finish of vanilla and oranges.

M: Terrapin has something good going with this. I love the thicker mouthfeel and how it layers the tongue.

Serving type: on-tap

12-27-2012 21:53:40 | More by dsigmon

sendbeer

Georgia

4.5/5  rDev +10.6%

12-23-2012 05:22:16 | More by sendbeer