Terrapin Hopsecutioner - Terrapin Beer Company

bamadog

Kentucky

3.68/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Picked up a growler of this at the Whole Foods for $8, when the price is that right, you can't go wrong. Review is from notes taken on 10/19/2012 and poured from the growler to a pint glass.

Appearance: Pours a hazy golden and coppery color; starts with a big and full, creamy 2 finger slightly off-white head that fades eventually to a thin and uneven foamy skim and lots of lacing holding tight to the glass; body is pretty clear with just a touch of haze, plenty of carbonation.

Smell: Plenty of hops, and they're citric, mostly lemon and perhaps a touch of bitter grapefruit; definitely a grainy malt bill behind it. Pretty good, and I remember the smell being decent out of the bottle, but I also remember being a touch disappointed with the taste.

Taste: Yeah, it's still not the best, but it's certainly not awful. It's got plenty of bitter hops, but it seems that the bitterness doesn't carry the flavor that the smell would make believe it does -- the citric aspect starts alright with some lemony aspect, but then it kind of fades and I'm left with a more or less, just plain bitter, slightly metallic tinge on the tongue.

Mouthfeel: Mouth is decent - carbonation keeps it alive and the body is fairly smooth and creamy; a nice thin, sticky coating is left all over the mouth, holding the bitterness well into the aftertaste.

Overall: Glad it's in the growler because it's cheaper than getting a six pack. It's not bad, it'd probably be a better lawnmower beer. I think a slightly sweeter grain bill and some more flavorful and robust hops would make a world of difference.

Serving type: growler

10-20-2012 02:25:18 | More by bamadog

richkrull

Wisconsin

3.73/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Received a half growler of this from awalk1227 in the Hotter than Hot BIF. Thanks a lot!

Poured a transparent copper color with a small white head on it. Lacing is ok but not great.

Smell is light and malty with some hops coming through but not a ton.

Taste is pretty balanced. This beer is more malty than I was expecting. It does have a bitter hop finish but not very strong.

Mouthfeel is relatively light. This is a pretty easy to drink beer.

I liked this beer but it's not one of my favorite IPAs. It could have used some more hops in my opinion.

Serving type: growler

05-22-2011 18:11:10 | More by richkrull

ejimhof

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A= poured a light amber color as an IPA should. Nice lacing that sticks to the glass.

S= Citrus and pine smells are present.

T= Slightly hoppy but not overdone. Malty and semi-sweet.

MF= light bodied and not very heavy.

D= Easy drinker and easy to have more than one of these.

Serving type: growler

07-03-2010 23:30:03 | More by ejimhof

cdizinno

South Carolina

3.6/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Okay, new review of a fresh growler.

A: Clear deep orange/amber color with a noticeable red tint in the growler. Small off-white head with light to moderate lacing.

S: Mild pine, heavy citrus, and mild spice aroma.

T&M: Light to medium bodied. Slightly rough up-front and fades to a heavy oily tongue feel that finishes very dry. Piney bitter hops hit up front with some citrus and floral tastes.

Definitely better than the bottle I reviewed way back when, but I have found that the IPA's are always better FRESH! It is fairly well-balanced with malts and hops in the fresh state, but still the flavor isn't anything special.

Serving type: growler

04-24-2010 19:25:22 | More by cdizinno

SaCkErZ9

Florida

3.5/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This is served from a grolwer from Charleston Beer Exchange in Charleston, SC. Pours from the grolwer into a pint glass a clear copper color with a small white head. The head quickly recedes into a film and leaves a very thin veil of lacing.

Aroma is hoppy yet strangely musty. Smells like someones under arm or pit sweat. Not exactly redemming but oddly enough, not a complete turnoff. Citrus and grapefruit hops with minimal malt presence in the nose.

More of that armpit juice flavor but a sweetness follows. Quite bitter but well balanced, even without much of a malt flavor or feel.

This one is in the hoppy realm. It is bitterly hoppy without being over the top or out of whack. Nicely carbonated but finishes stark dry. Slighlty thin on the mouthfeel but I think the dryness is to blame for that. Not a bad beer. I actaully like it pretty well because I dig slightly-out-of-balance-towards-the-hops type beers.

Serving type: growler

12-29-2009 20:52:08 | More by SaCkErZ9

JackMcAwesome

Florida

3.76/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Poured from the bottle into a mug.

Look: A golden yellow with a one finger head, which went down to a thin ring. The lacing was minimal, not what I'm use to with a great IPA.

Smell: The standard notes you come to identify with an IPA. Nothing particular stands out for me, but it's still a very decent aroma. Just wish there was something a bit underneath.

Taste: I had to visit the website out of curiosity on their hops, they don't seem to specify but say there are six different types. I think for me, that's where the problem might be. I personally like a smaller variety (2-3 range) so I can try to identify them. The result here seemed to just be a bunch of citrus, grassy taste. Again, decent, just nothing really stood out.

Feel: A generally well balanced brew. The malts are prevalent enough to give it that balance. A medium-light beer that I could drink anytime.

Overall: A good beer, just nothing too special. There are a few others in this category that I would seek out before coming back to this one. Worth trying definitely.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 23:21:43 | More by JackMcAwesome

OBeerMeGreatOne

California

3.85/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Pours out a nice orange, small head, very mild lace.

Citrus, wonder bread, slight pine and toffee make up the smell.

Citrus, floral hops, tobacco and saltless saltine start of the taste. The finish is citrus and grass, light but lingering. A little thin for the style.

A nice, aggressively hopped brew from the South. Almost would call this their attempt at a West Coast IPA. Though I wouldn't put it in my normal rotation (which I can't anyway being I live in CA, not GA), I would never turn one down if offered. Nice job Terrapin!

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2013 00:20:22 | More by OBeerMeGreatOne

Ellis_the_Executive

Kentucky

3.13/5  rDev -19.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

Poured from a bottle into a 6oz tasting glass.

A: Pours a hazy amber-orange color. Head is off-white and retentive, yet thin.

S: I honestly didn't get much aroma off of this beer. The nose is muted and faint. Very slight hints of sweet caramel malt and grapefruit/citrus resins.

T: Slight citrus hint, faint pine notes, mild malt body, quite sweet on the finish. The alcohol is very well hidden, this beer drinks very well for 7.3%

M: mild bodied, leaves a lingering pine/citrus note on the finish.

O: I honestly didn't care for this beer. I found it a very "average" IPA at best. I had always wanted to try this beer and had a friend stop in Georgia to grab it for me. The only saving grace is that it is VERY drinkable for it's ABV.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 01:05:41 | More by Ellis_the_Executive

hopheadhoward

Florida

4.38/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25

Hopsecutioner is a nice ale. Not perfect, but if you like hoppy ales, this is a pretty good IPA. Nice bitter start, and it feels good on the mouth. Why do you like hoppy? You want flavor, right? Hopsecutioner has flavor, and it looks and smells like an IPA? Is it perfect? No, but this is a nice IPA. Alcohol is 7+%, so be aware.

Serving type: on-tap

04-25-2013 23:59:40 | More by hopheadhoward

BrianJohnson

South Carolina

4.04/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

I absolutely love this beer. It is one of the best that Terrapin makes and I've tried many of their beers. This is an approachable IPA - not too much of a hop-blast to turn off those new to IPAs, but enough to keep me happy. Their other beer, kind of like DFH, are variations of hop-heavy brews, but this one is a pure, unadulterated, clean, drinkable IPA.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2013 16:50:09 | More by BrianJohnson

xShoWTeKx

South Carolina

4.16/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A: Poured from bottle to pint glass with a one finger white head, beer is a nice amber color with a slight orange tint.

S: Smell is very citrusy with a light sweet note.

T: Light caramel malt front with a large citrus and pine hop back

M: Medium bodied with nice carbonation, very dry finish.

O: A nice beer to pick up on the fly but not something I would personally go out of my way to seek out.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2013 04:32:11 | More by xShoWTeKx

tut2528

Illinois

3.49/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: pours golden brown that elicits just a bit of transparency. the head is cream white color and also creamy in its appearance. and the lacing is quite nice.

S: really not getting much on the aroma here and I am really having to pull for this. lemons, malt, and pine. ???

T: glad to see that there is something to this brew because the smell wasn't there. subtle citrus notes, some malt, piney hops, there is a unique sugar candy sweetness here too. at 7.3%, the alcohol is extremely well hidden

M: medium bodied, leaves a nice bitterness with a slight citrus profile on the palate.

O: the bottle description couldn't be more wrong in my opinion. as this one is very plain and doesn't give me that "hophead" feeling. i will say that the 7.3% is extremely well hidden and i find this one pretty drinkable. overall though, i want a beer to at least resemble its description, and i feel cheated on this one.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 21:15:58 | More by tut2528

dogfishandi

New York

3.81/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

12 oz bottle at fridge temp poured into a snifter. Best before month 5 notched.

Pours a hazy orange- light copper color with a skim, yet retentive off white head, big bubbles. Spotty lacing.

Not the big hop aroma I was hoping for. Grapefruit citrus and pine resin. A bready, light caramel malt is right there.

A better taste than the aroma. Dry, slightly sharp grapefruit citrus, pine resins. A big bready, slightly caramalized malt balances things out. Finishes with a sharp lingering hop bitterness.

Slightly heavier side of medium bodied. Adequate carbonation.

Fell a little below my expectations. Maybe better fresh. Hops tasted and smelled quite faded overall.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2013 22:09:21 | More by dogfishandi

gillagorilla

Maryland

3.54/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

12 oz. bottle into Terrapin Pint

A: Poured with a nice head that stays for a bit but fizzles to a film with a large section of bubbles. The lacing is quite nice too. It is a slightly cloudy golden amber color.

S: Quite citrusy with a bit of pine intermingled. It is a pretty nice smell, but it kind of reminds me of a stout smell for some reason.

T: Not the best tasting out there. There is a mild citrus note that is overpowered by the pine in it. I remember it being more citrus-y on tap.

M: Pretty crisp all the way through but it is still quite mild.

O: I feel like there is either something wrong with these beers or with my palate today. I had this at a Terrapin event but it was just a sample. I remember it tasting better. Luckily, a friend gave this to me. Their Hopzilla is much better. Still not a bad IPA, but it is one of the lesser IPAs I have had.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 00:10:00 | More by gillagorilla

rodlavers

Pennsylvania

3.81/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

Noticed an enjoy by 5/13 bottle and decided to give it a try.

Pours a very clear orange amber color, with a foamy fluffy white head. It's got some decent retention and lacing is chunky.

Smell overall is a bit muted. Light pine hops and citrus zest, with a tartness to it.

Flavors consist of light pine resin, lemon zest and a now blend of hops.

Not too bitter, very smooth and tart.

Overall glad I tried it fresh. It's crisp and tart, which is unique, but smell and flavor are not entirely there for me. Cheers.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2013 01:45:34 | More by rodlavers

buschbeer

Ohio

3.54/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

12 ounce bottle
Served in a perfect pint glass
Thanks to sommersb for the beer

A - It looks like a sunset with an orange center and golden highlights. It is hazy and has a couple inches of off-white head.

S - I notice it has an evident malt presence. I can tell by the aroma I will not appreciate this IPA. I has that overtly bitter smell that warns me of bitterness in the taste. I also get some citrus.

T - As expected this is a bitter bastard and not in the way that I like. There is some malt but not enough to balance it. It has the taste of a very bitter grapefruit.

M - Medium

O - I'm sure this is a great IPA for some, but this hops profile does not agree with my palate. I cannot eat a bitter grapefruit, and this beer reminds me of that experience.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2013 21:04:28 | More by buschbeer

Craigory

South Carolina

3.88/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

12oz bottle, poured into a Samuel Adams Perfect Pint Glass.

A: Hopsecutioner pours a deep, slightly murky orange, with a finger's white head and plenty of bubbles. The head quickly dies down to a slight ring on top of the beer, leaving decent lacing on the sides of the glass.

S: This is not the most aromatic of IPAs, but I do get a good whiff of pine and juicy (tropical, rather than citrus-y) hops. Smells pretty good, on the whole.

T: Good pine-y bitterness over the tongue, followed by a light tropical fruit sweetness. Finishes dry, with a little interplay of bitter and sweet. Pretty standard IPA profile.

M: Medium-bodied, with moderate carbonation.

O: A good, but not amazing, IPA. It hits all the right notes, without setting itself apart. I do think the name invites certain expectations that only an extraordinary DIPA could meet, but this is a solid IPA. I would grab a six-pack now and again.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2013 23:13:40 | More by Craigory

socon67

New York

4.19/5  rDev +8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A - Light copper color. The acing on this one is very nice with rings around hte glass. Pour is a nice frothy foam. Minimal carbonation and translucent.

S - Scents of pine cones, pine resin, and mandarin oranges. Very fresh smelling IPA.

T - Initial sip has an earthy hop bitterness that stays throughout. Slight tartness of citrus balances this out.

M - Leaves a raspy sandpaper feel on the tongue. Easy drinking IPA. Went awesome with my pizza.

O - Glad I can at least make the trip to Jersey to get these guys. If its good enough for the Governor on Walking Dead it sgood enough for me.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2013 00:10:30 | More by socon67

kangarooAdam59

Connecticut

3.89/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Thanx Damian74Shensky:

Into a chalice:

A: golden orange body with a one finger white foamy head slowly dissipating to a film, slightly hazy body, super light filmy lacing

S: super citrus up front, subdued pine only after a bit of warming

T: bittersweet as a good AIPA should be, actually there's a slight refreshing note to this, big wow - as I might want to come back to this in the summer, slight grassy taste as well as it warms a bit

M: light to medium, sessionable, citrus/pine aftertaste and finish

O: very good AIPA that I would immediately come back to

Damian74Shensky is an awesome trader!

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2013 20:23:37 | More by kangarooAdam59

mbunje

California

3.74/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Taco Mac in Atlanta at the Prado

A - clear, copper color with nice lacing.

S - nothing stands out. Mild citrus and biscuit

T - bitter on back of the tongue. Hops are present but don't dominate.

MF - very good. Crisp. Good carbonation. Medium body. Possibly the best attribute of this beer

Overall: I am a west coast IPA snob so keep that in mind. This was crafted very well but the hop profile was weak. Could have used some late boil or dry hops to give it a nose and an identity. Quality beer just not enough hops for what it claims to be.

Serving type: on-tap

02-28-2013 00:40:09 | More by mbunje

popery

California

3.53/5  rDev -9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

From notes, 10/23/10. Good beer, but doesn’t really stand out in any way amongst IPAs. Aroma is kinda musty and a bit muted. Grapefruit rind, pineapples, grass, caramel, yeast. Taste is a little thin. The malt isn’t quite dry enough for a West Coast and not really round enough for a good maltier IPA. OK bitter bite in the finish. Appearance is a nice medium amber, transparent, with a creamy, off-white head. Overall, it was a bit of a letdown for me.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2013 08:04:58 | More by popery

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

3.74/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Poured from tap into pint at flying saucer in Nashville. Pours a slightly cloudy golden brown with some sticky head. Lots of lacing.
Smell is rather boring for an ipa...generic hop and malt aroma. Taste is similar...very generic but I would give it a slight plus. Its good not great...but hits hard.

Serving type: on-tap

02-25-2013 23:35:16 | More by DrinkSlurm

acsprouse

South Carolina

3.74/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

A - copper with a orange hue. 1 finger head with little retention. Slight lacing

S - the hops are there, but not as strong as i thought it would be. Citrus and floral are in the nose... but there isnt much nose at all

T -hoppy and slightly spicy, floral with slight citrus. With a slightly malty sweet finish. Happy to see that the taste is not so faint as the nose.

M - good bit of carbination, medium thickness

O - Good flavor. Not the best ipa but overall its a Good and well rounded beer.

Serving type: on-tap

02-15-2013 06:50:53 | More by acsprouse

GetMeAnIPA

California

3.58/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Received as an extra from tictactoe. Enjoyable and drinkable IPA. However, there is an odd taste that comes through, like a licorice rye flavor...I can't quite figure that taste out. The flavor reminds me of Wookey jack from Firestone. A lot of people love that beer so it might not be a bad thing, and I might be in the minority.

No hopsecutinor (not a hop bomb) but worth a go.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2013 00:07:46 | More by GetMeAnIPA

Gmann

New York

3.63/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Pours a murky golden color with an orangish hue. Nice tight white head with some large carbonation bubbles that leaves a nice wall of lacing.

The aroma is quite sweet. Tropical fruit notes from the hops are combined with a toffee like sweetness from the malt. Some apricot fruitiness. Not a big fan of this hop profile, which unfortunately you see in many DIPAs.

The malt is bready with honey notes and a bit of toffee. The hops are banging the tropical fruit flavor. Big pineapple and ripe mango. Strong apricot flavor as well. Quite sweet. A bit of a resiny bitterness in the finish.

The feel is moderate with fizzy carbonation. There is a nice carbonation edge to it which breaks up the heavy malt body and makes the beer quite drinkable. Mainly sweet on the palate but does have a bitter finish.

A well made DIPA but just not my cup of tea. Too sweet.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2013 19:08:42 | More by Gmann