Terrapin Oaked Big Hoppy Monster - Terrapin Beer Company

rangerred

Tennessee

3.44/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.25

12oz bottle into a pint glass.

Pours a hazy very dark brown with a one finger tan head. Poor head retention and a just a small bit of lacing on the sides of the glass.

Lots of spicy, earthy hop aroma with a decent amount of oak thrown in. It is all kind of muddled, however, with a little bit of toffee and caramel spread around the edges. Nothing offensive but it is just a little messy.

Oak figures very prominent in the flavor with the hops taking somewhat of a back seat. Earthy hops prop up the oak but much like the aroma, there is really no strong definition or separation of flavors. Toffee and caramel are mild in the background along with just moderate bitterness. Mouthfeel is sticky sweet with drinkability being somewhat limited.

Overall, a nice attempt by Terrapin but I'm not so sure that it works. It is just a little bit of a mess. Glad I got to try it as I normally love oak aged beers but this one just doesn't really work for me.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2013 03:03:44 | More by rangerred

Immortale25

Florida

3.84/5  rDev -2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Poured into a snifter. Label says Vintage 2012.

A- Pours a rubyish light brown color with a 1/4 inch tan head that retains a bit before becoming a thin ring around the edge of the glass and a mostly full sheet of surface foam, plus a small patch of bubbles in the middle. Semi-resilient lacing slowly cascades down the glass.

S- Big blast of oaky malt and earthy hops. Also some heavy booze characteristics but everything works together to make a decently pleasant, if not rough around the edges, bouquet. Notes of caramel, bourbon and some light vanilla.

T- Taste is similar to the regular BHM but with a solid smack of oak right off the bat that steadies into a comfortable malt sweetness mid-palate. Becomes semi-astringent upon multiple sips. Hops aren't as prevalent as one would expect, they're more of just an afterthought to all the other bold flavors, providing a semi-bitter aftertaste. Alcohol and hops are more noticeable as it warms.

M- Very sharp and dry with medium-low carbonation and a full-ish body.

O- I like the original a bit better, but fans of barrel aging will certainly get their kicks with this one.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2013 03:21:43 | More by Immortale25

MacQ32

South Carolina

4.34/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

A - Pours a mudied amber/brown with a finger of tan head that dissipates after a few minutes leaving a only a (relatively thick) layer across the surface. The outer ring rides up the glass nicely.

S - Very oaky, decent amounts of piney hops, plenty of alcohol, some pineapple, toasty caramel, and dark fruit.

T - Sweet pineapple, piney hops and oak up front. Dark fruits and alcohol follow. Slightly dry and slight alcohol/dark fruit twang at the finish, lingers a bit but not too strongly.

M - Medium bodied, very smooth, less carbonation, not a total sipper but pretty robust.

O - Very flavorful, very well balanced, very smooth, and its a big beer. Very good.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2013 01:28:34 | More by MacQ32

Arithmeticus

Maryland

4.43/5  rDev +13%
look: 2 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured chilled in large ale glass

A: red-brown; very good carbonation, but latent--very little head
S: robust, oaky hops come through in abundance; smells like a mean red ale; very inviting
T: wooh; love the flavor; huge hop bomb, combined with a classic red ale; very boozy, turning this in the direction of a barleywine style; watch out--this thing will knock you out

Very pleasing beer; don't let the label fool ya

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2013 02:30:38 | More by Arithmeticus

thagr81us

South Carolina

3.65/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Shared this one at a tasting while Mississipping was in town! Served from growler into a Mikkeller taster flute. Poured a deep red-orange with a half finger off-white head that subsided to a minimal amount quickly. Maintained nice lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, sweet alcohol, caramel, citrus, citrus hop, and oak. The flavor was of sweet malt, oak, caramel, citrus, citrus hop, caramel hop, and sweet alcohol. It had a light feel on the palate with medium carbonation. Overall this was a pretty decent brew. If you would have not have told me this one was oak aged, I would have definitely been able to figure it out based on my first sip. The oak in this one was so strong on the flavor it wasn’t even funny. I’m sure it covered up some subtle flavors, but I do know this is what Terrapin was aiming for when they did this brew. The aroma was quite nice with the citrus going on and really kept it interesting. Glad I finally got the opportunity to try this and hope I get to try more of Terrapin’s specially treated brews out there.

Serving type: growler

12-31-2012 13:36:26 | More by thagr81us

Hopswagger

Oklahoma

4.2/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

P: Hazed dark brown-amber body with a short lived crown of khaki bubbly head that settles to an alligator skin film on top.

S: Robust roasted caramel malt, toffee, timidly smoked oak, orange dish soap, vanilla, figs, apples peels, pumpernickel bread and dirty barley.

T/M: Huge flavors bursting into a robust malted beast with vanilla oak, smoldered barley and spicy-floral hops. Bready yeast, flowers, orange oil, figs soaked in spiced rum. This is similar to a barley wine style ale. Coffee comes out faintly in the background once swallowed. Full mouthfeel that is dense and chewy with moderate effervescence. Finish is dry with lingering bartlett pears, oak and pippali pepper.

O: A definite big boy beer. Robust and complex with big roasted malts and a great bombardment of spiced and floral hops. This is a beer I will always look forward to. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2012 04:24:28 | More by Hopswagger

nickthegun12

Alabama

4.13/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

pours a dark red color with a frothy tan head

smell is of american hops, with a sort of pineapple, gummy bear, fresh produce smell right off the top...a dark vanilla bean is there too

taste is thick, the alcohol is very present in the taste. vanilla is prominent too. the hops arent that noticeable in the taste

mouth feel is thick and leaves out dry from the alcohol

overall this beer is fan F*(^^%$#tastic!

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 23:47:47 | More by nickthegun12

beerluvr

New Jersey

4.03/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Vintage 2012. Pours into a Duvel Tulip with not much head, settles quickly over super hazy almost opaque brownish/red-colored liquid. Taking a whiff of the nose reveals little oakiness but there's a nice hoppy aroma with sweet malt overtones...smells inviting. Nice smoothly carbonated mouthfeel gives way to nicely balanced hop bitterness and malt sweetness on the palate. Smooth. Finish is again nicely balanced but still not sensing any oak barrel notes...not complaining though, finishes on a not-too-bitter yet hoppy flavor note with a little alcohol warmth (it is a respectable 9.1%). Fits perfectly on this cold and damp late Dec. evening.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2012 22:56:48 | More by beerluvr

shand

Florida

3.8/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Oak Aged Big Hoppy Monster pours a deep red color with a thick head that retains very well. The aroma is oaky and toasty, with some sharp hops. The taste is sweeter than anticipated from the nose, with the oak and a large amount of sweet malts really amping up the sweet factor. The candied hops only amplify this. The finish is very woody and a bit sticky from the hops. The mouthfeel is medium bodied and lightly carbonated, and the drinkability is solid. Overall, a good beer. I think I like the non-oak aged version better though.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2012 03:45:28 | More by shand

MasterSki

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottle from Wine World in Destin. Served in a tulip.

A - Light tan foam settles to wisps and a thin collar, leaving minimal lace. Transparent amber-chocolate color. Some visible bubble streams.

S - Oak and piney and earthy hop notes, with a crystal malt imparting red fruits, cotton candy, and perhaps a touch of milk chocolate. Oak dominates, and it's a bit heavy-handed and sharp. Otherwise it's a balanced imperial red ale.

T - The taste has more balance, with a nice mixture of chocolate, caramel, red fruits, and and earthy hops. Oaky vanilla is present but less overwhelming, and mingles with the hops to provide herbal and woody bitterness. Alcohol is quite well-hidden.

M - Exceptionally smooth, medium body, pleasant moderate carbonation, and a dry, toasty finish. Perhaps a hint of warmth, but otherwise quite nice. Probably my favorite element of this beer.

D - Enjoyable stuff, although it's verging on brown ale in malt profile. I also expected more hop aroma from a beer called Big Hoppy Monster - the bitterness is there, but it's not at all what I was expecting. Still, quite drinkable and fairly unique.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2012 04:18:27 | More by MasterSki

axeman9182

New Jersey

4.08/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle, 2012 vintage. It was poured into my FIrestone Walker tulip.

Oak Aged Big Hoppy Monster pours a pretty clear ruby red, with some lighter red highlights. About two fingers of off white foam tops the beer, hanging around for a little bit before leaving a few chunks of lacing clinging to the glass. The nose is really nice, with aromas of caramel and oak mingling and playing off of a bit of resinous, piney hops. The flavor starts off with a healthy dose of caramel sweetness. A brief, but bracing bitterness follows, before allowing those same piney hops to come in. The finish though is straight oak, and a little more intense than is probably necessary. The body, while sturdy, stops well short of being syrupy or too heavy. The carbonation is definitely on the low side, in fact I'd probably say just a little too much. While this fresh bottle of oaked Big Hoppy Monster is drinking nicely, I think six months to a year of time will do some favors for the other bottle I have on hand.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2012 06:35:08 | More by axeman9182

tdm168

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - dark amber with a thin, off white head that has good retention

S - woody, earthy, alcohol, caramel, faint candy sugar

T - oaky, bready, caramel, juicy fruit, herbal, citrusy

M - medium bodied, smooth, well carbonated

This was a nice amber ale. Normally, I would have appreciated the oak touches here. I'm only disappointed because I love the regular Big Hoppy Monster. The oak here takes a bit away from the lucious malt flavors that I get from the original. On it's own it's a great beer, but in comparison to the original it leaves me wanting more. No matter the comparisons, it's definitely worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 14:48:26 | More by tdm168

kangarooAdam59

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Birthday present from my Dad when he and I went to New Jersey to visit my sister around Thanksgiving:

Into a pint glass:

A: hazy brown colored body, small white foamy one finger head appeared and died immediately. The body was too dark for any carbonation to be seen rising. Some spotty lacing was left.

S: great amounts of oaked and caramel, hops were there trying to come in strong but still overpowered by the oak and caramel. Some citrusy flavors came out as the beer warmed.

T: sweet mixture between all of the previously mentioned flavors. A dry woody finish came in.

M: medium with a nice smoothness all around. It leaves a sticky aftertaste. Though the ABV was fairly high, I would say its very drinkable.

O: though this is my first one by Terrapin, I'm impressed and would have this again.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2012 21:07:51 | More by kangarooAdam59

clayrock81

Virginia

4/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a darkish brown with good two finger white head and lace down the glass on top of a very hoppy aroma mixed with oakey and slight sweet caramel and sugary malts. Taste is more of the same, as is mouthfeel, as a sturdy, heavy but easy passing beer goes over my tongue with a mix of grapefruit like hops, sugary sweetness, touch of oakiness and a dry, sturdy finish. Hops flavor profile is mostly like a wet, grape variety, and the malts are caramel and other sweetness and the beer is not too complex but has a good amount of depth. The dry finish is a great complement to a good beer and this is a very enjoyable sipper.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 20:59:44 | More by clayrock81

brewdude1982

North Carolina

4.45/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This was a 12 pz bottle poured into a snifter.

It pours a dark brown and has medium clarity. It smells very oaky and some malts are present as well. It tastes oaky and malty up front and then eases off into a pleasant hop finish. It has a big body which is a plus in my book and has decent carbonation. I would recommend but I could only do one or two before my pallet would be wrecked.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2012 22:00:51 | More by brewdude1982

rapidsequence

Virginia

3.43/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle from a four pack bought at Ned's.

Appearance: Hazy iced tea with almost no head. Leaves some spots of lacing.

Smell: Smells oaked and big, but not all that hoppy. Some caramel malt and a bit of toast. There is some sweet citrus hops, but nowhere near the original BHM.

Taste: Upfront lots of malt sweetness, but the heavy oak flavor takes over. Lots of toasty oak and vanilla. Too much. Finishes dry, woody, bitter.

Mouthfeel: Big upfront, but undercarbonated, and way too dry in the finish.

Overall: This is a big step down from big hoppy monster. I thought it sounded good, but its just OK.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2012 02:06:11 | More by rapidsequence

Alieniloquium

Florida

3.55/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. bottle poured into a pint glass. Bottle says 9.1%.

Appearance - Worrying lack of a pfft when I crack the cap. As I pour, there isn't much by way of bubbles. Not until the end do a few stray cream bubbles make an appearance. In the end, it has a collar on top of an opaque reddish brown body.

Smell - Oak, caramel malt, not a huge hop presence. Some of it's there, I guess, but it just smells like any other over-inflated red ale.

Taste - Better, for sure. More of a hop presence here. A little grapefruity. Lots of caramel and toasted malt. Maybe that's the oak, though. Gives it a little bit of a charred taste. Strong oak presence that becomes very dry in the back. Vanilla is all over in the finish. Oak lingers on the palate along with a hop bite.

Mouthfeel - The oak doesn't make it feel as big, but it's a slow drinker for an amber. The taste points to sweetness without really providing any.

Overall - Nothing terribly special. Too big for it's own good. I don't know why they had to make it even more alcohol than before. The oak is a nice foil to the malt, though.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2012 01:42:53 | More by Alieniloquium

Lawl3ss

Texas

4.1/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Lightly chilled 12 oz. bottle poured into a stemless tulip pint. 2012 vintage.

Look- Near opaque cream soda/dark ruby amber color with three fingers of dense toasted marshmallow head. Gobs of lace cling to the glass, excellent retention.

Smell- Resinous, earthy, powerful hop presence with a vague lemon feel that's all but overpowered by the dusky green aromas. Strong toast and burnt caramel notes, with a bit of sweeter toffee emerging as it warms. Swirling brings out some booze, candied pear, and a blast of woody vanillin. This is what I was hoping for, but hadn't dared to expect

Taste- Woah oaked. This one comes off as a vanillin-char-woody-toasty-boozy flavor bomb. Toffee, tea, and vague hints of bright citrus barely peek out past the strong barrely flavors. Not as bitter as expected. Big, bold, and not something I've ever encountered before. Not quite sure how I feel about it, but it's tasty and unique.

Mouthfeel- Medium-full body, light-medium carb, silky feel. Not particularly boozy for the ABV, lighter than expected. Good drinkability.

Overall- I've not had the original, but for some reason I feel like I would prefer it. Worth trying nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2012 06:04:28 | More by Lawl3ss

C20Percent

Virginia

3.6/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a nearly dark rusty red with an average bubbly tan-amber colored head on top. The color is nice and complex -- reminds me of Maine's amber ale. The head is dissipating rather quickly. Definitely like the color, though -- lacing isn't good, though.

S: First thing I smell is hops followed by some sweetness. Reminds me a bit of Nugget Nectar. Certainly get that oak smell too. There's some caramel in there some fruitiness. It's smells like a nice imperial red ale that's been oak-aged -- surprise.

T: Get a lot of the sweet malt followed by some oakiness with a nice bitter, slightly dry, finish. The hops are there, but trail behind the malts and oak. The fruitiness is there to, but way in the back for me. The beer warms the throat -- it's not boozy or anything. I'm just not quite sure I can give this beer a 4. Close but not quite.

M: Heavy medium feel. Light medium carbonation. A little bit of chewiness, which brings out the oak and booze. I really like the feel, and the warmness. But, it's just above average for me.

O: I want to like this beer more than I do, but than I do, but Nugget Nectar, Lagunitas IRA and Maine's Red Ale are all better than this. And, for me, those are the most comparable. I'm not quite sure the Oak adds much. It's a nice addition, but I just don't think the backbone is there. That said, it is a good beer, I'd drink it again, but I don't think I'd search it out. This would be a good extra in a trade.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2012 18:31:23 | More by C20Percent

maximum12

Minnesota

2.8/5  rDev -28.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Thanks again to AtlCarl as I work my way through all the beer that landed, with a resounding noise heard for blocks around, on my porch not long ago. 12 oz. bottle.

Pour is a clear light red that turns to mild murk as the last bit is poured from the bottle. Much like it's namesake sans oak, this is a beer dominated by malt (Big Malty Monster?) - my pharynx is filled to overflowing with sweet, sweet toffee. Neither hops nor oak appear on radar.

Oak Aged Big Hoppy Monster, once tasted, definitely needs a moniker change. Caramel malts flap in your face like a loose feather boa covered in sickly sweet honey. Oak is barely visible over the shoulder of the malts, & a tiny bite of vanilla appears. Hops? None. Heavy. After a few sips I feel like I've ingested three Krispy Kremes in less than a minute. Stomach, expanding.

Just like the original, this is a heavy, filing, brutal beast of a beer that gets points knocked off for false advertising.; I couldn't do more than six ounces, nor would I want to. This monster doesn't even frighten to mediocrity; sub-par.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2012 02:52:34 | More by maximum12

oberon

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Great to finally have this oaked.Poured into a standard pint a clear rich amber with a thinner slightly off white head atop that lasted well.Toastiness and brownsugar notes slightly out weigh the resiny hops,faint toast from the oak is there as well.A mix of caramel and brown sugar sweetness mixed with piney hops,again the oak is subdued wich might be a good thing.It's solid, not amazing by any strech but just a good oak aged hopped up "big" amber.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2012 22:22:00 | More by oberon

One2Remeber

Florida

4.3/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Thin khaki head. Dark mahogany, with a light red hue, body hazy.

S: Red sugar candy, toasted wood, caramel candy, no toffee, with gummy hops.

T/M: Yummy! Heavy wood up front slides easy with a sticky caramel candy coating on the palate. Turns to a sugary, warm vanilla sensation. Hops are resinous rather than bitter adding complexity instead being hop focused.

O: Well balanced. Red ale style lets the wood properties shine while huge caramel malts try to fend for attention. Big, pronounced hop flavor without being a hoppy beer.

Serving type: on-tap

11-28-2012 02:41:09 | More by One2Remeber

zac16125

South Carolina

4.05/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle into a pint glass
Vintage 2012

A: Pours a slightly hazy dark reddish brown with just over 1 fingers width of khaki colored head which dissipates at a moderate level down to an outer ring with whispy center. Leaves a fair amount of lacing down the sides of the glass.

S: Sweet, caramel malts, candied sugar, dark fruits, booze, hints of citrus and piney hops, raw oak. Hop presence is mild. Smells very good, not like a Red Ale though, more like a barley wine or old ale.

T: Oak is significantly more prominent on the taste than the nose. Huge oak component. Burnt sugar, some booze, citrus rind and piney bitterness on the backend. Vanilla-y oak lingers for a long time after each sip.

M/D: Smooth for the style, full bodied, slightly chewy, boozy in the taste and smell but not at all hot. Drinkability is very good.

O: Overall, another great beer from Terrapin. Ive only had the regular BHM once, and it was at about 8 months after bottling date, but I absolutely loved it. The hop presence had mellowed and it drank like a barleywine/old ale. The oak aged version also is reminiscent of a barleywine, which is a good thing as its one of my favorite styles. As of now, I like the original BHM more. However, Im gonna try to grab a couple more of these to let them cellar for a while. I imagine this one will age really well, mellowing out the hops and bringing out some of the malt flavors. At 9% with big boozy notes, this one might age well for a year or two. As is, still very good though! Definitely worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2012 00:34:22 | More by zac16125

BeerLover99

New Jersey

4.2/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: copper/rust/cloudy body, trace khaki head,

S: big oak, bready malt, clean pine

T: lemon peel, smokey oak, bread, long bitter pine finish

M: med/heavy body, hint of bubbly/oily mouth

O: POW! Again, really thrilled to have found Terrapin.
This is another gem that I will seek out and recommend.
So great to see a fine brewery in the South.

VERY TASTY, TREAT YOURSELF!

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2012 20:37:58 | More by BeerLover99

argock

Virginia

4.1/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz brown bottle into a Duvel tulip. Vintage: 2012 on side of label. 4-pack purchased at Wine Warehouse (Charlottesville, VA) for $14.29.

A: Very clear orange-amber with 1/2-to-1 finger of off-white head with decent retention and only rare spots of lacing.

S: Caramel-toffee, tropical fruity and citrus hops, and strong but mellow oak aroma

T: The flavor is exceedingly smooth with the oak pretty dominant throughout. It is a non-vanilla oakiness which is not a problem as the caramel and bready maltiness is solid throughout. The hops qualities are mostly providing a low-moderate bitterness with only a little of the fruity and pine character from the aroma. The alcohol is not easy to feel -- except in your belly.

M: Very smooth and creamy with medium-body and low carbonation. Superb feel.

O: A really surprising beer as I remember BHM being pretty bitter and hoppy and this beer is neither of those -- very smooth and unassuming with great malt backbone and a nice oak current throughout.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2012 04:35:44 | More by argock