Hop Riot IPA - High Water Brewing

dannydetox

California

3.33/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

recommended to me, but left me unconvinced. poured an orange-gold color with a tiny head. the serious lack of carbonation is evident at this point, but the aromas are inviting. nice elements of mango, pine, and floral notes in this flavorful nose. across the palate i get initial sweetness at the front, with some bittering elements finishing the beer. the flatness turned me off big time; feels like yesterday's half-empty growler. admittedly, i crave a highly carbonated drink - beer, wine, water, whatever - as the bubbles enhance my drinking experience every time. i also noticed a bit of a tea-like tannic hit at the end, too. don't know if this is off, but i don't think i'll revisit it any time soon.

Serving type: on-tap

12-13-2012 07:35:39 | More by dannydetox

UCLABrewN84

California

3.95/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Tony's Darts Away in Burbank, CA.

Pours a clear light honey orange with a foamy beige head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Foamy rings of lace line the glass on the drink down. Smell is of citrus fruit, citrus zest, and some slight tropical fruit aromas. Taste is much the same with some malt flavors on the finish. There is a medium amount of 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 with a nice mild tropical presence in the aroma and flavor.

Serving type: on-tap

06-28-2012 04:45:24 | More by UCLABrewN84

Koufax21

New Mexico

3.18/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Had this one on tap at the Blue Palms in Hollywood, CA. Arrived at my table with a nice soapy white head that sat at about 1". Smelled of citrus hops and a mild biscuit like aroma. This one came across as very average. Seemed to follow the super bitter, not much balance feel. Pine and mellow citrus dominate this ale. Light bodied and well carbonated. I guess I'm looking for something a little better when it comes to an IPA. It's a decent beer, but when accompanied by so many other great beers on the menu, it will be an easier decision for me next time.

Serving type: on-tap

12-03-2011 17:55:41 | More by Koufax21

Nugganooch

California

3.48/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Stone Brew

11-05-11 – Bitter Saturday
*16oz tulip

A: Pours a light and hazy golden amber color with a one finger white head. Some splashes of lace upon my glass.

S: Smells sugary with a caramel sweetness and some fruity hops.

T: Semi sweet overall but does taste rather juicy with some fruity hop flavors. Has a nice grassy dry hop component as well. More crystal malt influence here than most others. Caramels are winning this riot. No noticeable ABV’s. Not bad with some decent balance.

M: Light to medium in body with a semi creamy texture. Resinous mouthcoating. Dries up in the finish.

D: Decent drinkability as this is not a terrible attempt at a West Coast IPA. Some decent hop bitterness in affect here but a bit heavy handed with the Crystal malts for my liking. Caramel sweetness clouds that hop essence.

Good but not really the Hop Riot I was looking for…more like a Hop Scuffle.

Serving type: on-tap

11-09-2011 00:09:46 | More by Nugganooch

avaldivia

California

2.83/5  rDev -22.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

On tap at the Coddingtown Whole Foods Tap Room is Santa Rosa

A: Clear golden hay color. Decent white head with ok lacing.

S: Pine. Nothing special. A little bit of grapefruit.Honestly, it smells like any other middle of the road IPA.

T: Taste is the same as the smell. Honestly, there is nothing to differentiate this from any other IPA out there. A bit dry, a bit piney, a bit citrusy.

M: I'll admit, good mouthfeel. It had a nice body, and good carbonation.

O: I doubt I will ever pick this up again. I thought it was a pretty standard and unimpressive IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

08-06-2011 05:00:01 | More by avaldivia

illidurit

California

3.58/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Burger. in Santa Cruz. Pours a dark golden bronze with a huge creamy white head. Thinking the CO2 might be off on the tap line, because the foam is massive, billowing, and constantly fed by tons of streaming bubbles. Aroma is leafy and green, with some bitter grapefruit and a touch of metallic character. Flavor has a low-sweetness pale malt profile with a little caramel as it warms. Hops aren't too forward here, light herbal notes with a vague citrus thing going on. Nice bitterness and dry on the palate. I'm left wanting some fruitiness. Solid west coast IPA but not elite. I liked the Valley Cobra IPA better.

Serving type: on-tap

07-14-2011 19:05:59 | More by illidurit

PerHops

California

4.03/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I like this beer. I think I like this beer...
A- Darkish orange color. Cloudy, nice 1/3 inch head.
S- Grapefruit, pine, sunshine and spliffs.
T- On tap, two different times. First: Amazing. Citrus, fresh green flavors, bright, a little carmel, a little pine.
Second: Light citrus, heavy caramel, HEAVY pine. Very resinous, somewhat overwhelming. Very bitter. But yet still not bad.
M: medium carbonation, syrupy heavy resinous feel (at least during my second tasting).
O: 3.5-4. Have a feeling this beer is very dependent on the food you pair it with. Pop a handful of jalapenos and then drink this beer. Delicious.

Serving type: on-tap

05-26-2011 05:26:05 | More by PerHops

OBeerMeGreatOne

California

4.15/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a very nice orangish with a finger of head and pretty nice lace retention.
Very fresh hop aroma, citrus, pine with a small malt background.
Super aggressive hop taste as well. Feels like I'm chewing hops (which I haven't done, but I should). They talk about citrus notes being heavy, it is, but pine is much more dominant.
Very nice going down.
This is a pretty top notch west coast IPA. Super hoppy and certainly worth a try!

Serving type: on-tap

05-21-2011 23:52:37 | More by OBeerMeGreatOne

wethorseblanket

California

4.6/5  rDev +26%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at Library Alehouse today.

Pours a hazy, egg yolk yellowish orange with a good foamy white head which fades to clumpy lace. The smell is fantastic with white grapefruit/citrus notes, and pungent spring flowers. Taste is juicy citrus fruits, some sweetness from the malt, very hop forward. Bitterness and balanced malt combined with a nice carbonation feels just right on the tongue. Overall, so glad Steve Altimari of Valley Brewing in Stockton has found a new home in San Leandro to brew. The 7.3% is so well hidden and this is a must have.

Serving type: on-tap

02-21-2011 23:37:25 | More by wethorseblanket

nataku00

California

4.35/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Reviewed from notes, on tap poured into a nonic. Beer poured orange with a slight haze to prevent seeing clearly through it. Finger of off white egg shell colored head, foamy with small bubbles, that dipped to half a finger leaving some light lacing. Lots of carbonation coming up from the bottom of the glass helps to maintain a little bit of head.

Nose is nicely bitter orange and grapefruit peel, fresh pine needles, countered with some light caramel and biscuit malts.

Very smooth tasting beer, good hop bitterness, citrus peel and pith, wet pine needles carried by sweet caramelized biscuit malt sweetness. A light lingering citrus and floral hops bittering on the tongue that last for several minutes, but not overpowering.

Light to medium bodied beer, very well carbonated so it's a bit aggressive on the tongue. Very easy to drink IPA, no hint of alcohol in the taste, but I'm sure I'll feel it later.

Serving type: on-tap

02-20-2011 02:56:32 | More by nataku00

largadeer

California

3.53/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I had to adjust my ratings because this beer has changed dramatically. First two batches were excellent beers, newer batches are decent but very different and much less impressive.

Original review:

4.5 / 5.0 / 4.5 / 4.0 / 4.5

On tap at Gourmet Haus Staudt.

Clear orange-amber with a dense white froth. Bright and clear, spot-on for the style.

Awesome hop aroma. Mango and pineapple, a hint of onion, grapefruit, just a touch of sweet malt. Sharp and pungent, this smells great.

The hop flavors mirror the nose, sweet up front with notes of juicy peach and pineapple, citrusy grapefruit, spicier notes of onion. The body is light, just malty enough to have a backbone for the hops. It finishes with a sticky, resiny, lingering bitterness. The hop character is massive here, belying its 7.3%. Phenomenal stuff.

Serving type: on-tap

02-17-2011 06:11:58 | More by largadeer

colforbin73

California

4.55/5  rDev +24.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

had on tap this afternoon at the trappist in oakland. pours a clear, light, orangey amber with a modest head. it retains a good spritey carbonation right up to the last drop. lovely hop aromas... very flowery overall. the bitterness level is very satisfying and not a drain on your palate -- goes down smooth and leaves little aftertaste. i gave a 5 on the drinkability scale for this one: the abv comes in at 7.3% but you barely notice it. this was a really satisfying brew, and was a perfect follow up to the moonlight/old combine lager i had first. could have another one... or two.... or three. never heard of this brewery before, but i would definitely order this again, as well as try other High Water beer. great west coast ipa!!

Serving type: on-tap

02-17-2011 02:11:56 | More by colforbin73

facundoCNB

New Jersey

3.85/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

a deep clean orange pour with a finger of head, nice amount of lacing. the aroma of hops is incredible on this one. floral, pine, grapefruit.. with a very sweet malty profile. bitter pine and earth notes up front, a mellow grassy overall flavor to this, with a basic malt profile.. a bit of a hint of booze is present, which is surprising because i don't remember their DIPA tasting like alcohol. medium body, barely any carbonation.. sticky on the lips.

a decent ipa to relax after a stressful day of work. nothing out of the ordinary, but still a really nice hop aroma throughout the session.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 01:32:01 | More by facundoCNB

harrymel

Washington

3.53/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottled:unk

Pours amber with a couple fingers of light tan foam. Smells of pine, resin, bitter matls, some special B, some smells of crackers and biscuit. Tastes bitter with good malty character with some pine and a nice grapefruit. Very drinkable. Medium bodied with moderate carb and a standard fnish. Very drinkable, not upper eschelon

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2012 16:05:27 | More by harrymel

ccrida

Oregon

3.7/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bomber picked up at City Beer. Dark gold, white head, nice heavy lace.

Smell is strong, earthy hops, some citrus, especially as it warms.

Taste is loads of hops, citrus, wood, moderate bitterness. The orange drink comes out as it warms.

Mouthfeel is slippery, medium-light bodied.

Drinkability is fine. Solid IPA, and wholly forgettable. I'm not a fan of the British style, which this flirts with too much for my taste.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2012 08:25:06 | More by ccrida

StJamesGate

New York

3.68/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Dark amber with think steady beige head. Deep orange hard candy nose with some resin underneath.
Marmalade, burnt sugar, and a bit of bread crust that backs up gooey orange rind and sap hops.
Hint of cantaloupe to end and chalky linger. Medium, sticky and chewy, a bit of burn.

A good reference point for a Cali IPA - plenty of sticky hops which get more orangey as it opens. But it's a bit too bitter and hot to be drinkable which, at this ABV, shouldn't really be the case. A watching-sports beer that's nothing to chase.

Thanks to Chris for bringing this from SF.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2012 14:44:59 | More by StJamesGate

AgentMunky

Alabama

4.2/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 22 ounce bottle into an Allagash cervoise glass.

A: A finger of white head tops a clear, bronze beer.

S: I love these hops! Loads of juicy fruit with a touch pine. An ideal IPA.

T: A solid IPA, virtually unassailable if somewhat stolid. Generous grapefruit, with a bitter hop base that surprises me in its intensity. A nice balance of fruit and hops, with a touch of something tropical before the West Coast hops return. Lingering hop finish that is not dry.

M: Adequate, if unremarkable. Sturdy.

O: Excellent! Drinkable, excellent, and highly recommended. I will drink again. A benchmark for West Coast IPAs.

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2012 07:35:23 | More by AgentMunky

HalfFull

California

2.83/5  rDev -22.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured into a globe wine glass from a 22 oz. bottle. Pours clear with a copper golden hue. Half inch of foam shows moderate retention and offers some sticky at times lace. Bit dark for my personal taste but steady as she goes.

Aroma is hoppy though surely malt infused and somewhat one dimensional in nature. Touch of citrus and and ethanol, bit of subltle caramel malt and a touch of pine. Bit hollow overall and not offering any reason to linger on the inhalation.

Flavor follows with some citric qualities, a short finish and a lack of a lingering close. What's there is lightly malty with some orange pith, a bit dry and chalky even though pleasant enough. Offers a mid to moderate bitterness with a bit of citrus. No real lasting bite but well balanced in a sense for the structure of the beer.

Feel is decent and balanced. Carbonation is full though a bit slick on the finish. No date code noted on bottle by the way so not sure of the age of this beer.

Overall not exactly a Hop Riot nor a Malt Bomb. Taste is a bit thin and offers a surprisingly light bitterness. As my children say. Meh...

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2012 04:18:09 | More by HalfFull

Cresant

Kentucky

3.28/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Served this 22 oz. brown bottle in a Sierra Nevada Hops glass. No date noted. The body was a light copper/orange color with a fine foamy head. The less than white head left healthy, sticky lace.

The smell was sweet and bread. Not much else really. Slightly like rye bread. Vey subdued aroma, maybe this is an old bottle?

The taste was sweet and earthy. Brash, grassy bitterness. Very flavorful but a bit too malt forward for my tastes. Mild tangy fruitiness. Hops spiciness was evident. Not clean tasting.

The mouthfeel was medium bodied with modest carbonation. This is not one I would seek out again.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2012 01:05:21 | More by Cresant

BucannonXC5

California

4.05/5  rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a bomber into a pint glass. Color was caramel orangish. About 1 ½ fingers of head. Frothy white lacing that lasted throughout the pour. Lots of film on the sides.

Initial smell was a healthy amount of citrus hops, mainly lemon and lime. Light pine in there as well. Good sweet smell.

Tasted a big bitter alcohol bite first. Definitely lemon citrus hops. Light taste of caramel as well.

Medium body. Mostly creamy texture. Lively (above average) carbonation. Abrupt finish.

A pretty good beer overall with the smell coming through by far as the best part.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2012 06:28:03 | More by BucannonXC5

TheCrowsNest

California

2.4/5  rDev -34.2%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

22oz.

Pours hazy from the dry hopping. Nice off-white head forms. Moderate retention.

Mid-High hop aroma, not quite as strong as the name suggests. No malt aroma.

I got very little floral taste, it was mostly bittering with some of the malt bill showing through.

Hot. Too hot for a 7% IPA. The heat combined with the bittering creates a slick mouthfeel that stings as it slides off the tongue.

As an IPA, this beer needs some work. It finishes too hot and could use with some more residual sugars to help balance everything out.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2012 19:37:14 | More by TheCrowsNest

dbossman

Nebraska

3.75/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Orangish-yellow--like a true amber color with a thick frothy and beautiful one-inch head with great lacing

S: Some alcohol notes as well as a citrus and crassy and pine hop presence but fairly subdued--some bready notes as well

T: Herbal medicinal almost pine and lemon rind bitterness up front; mostly an oily hop residual with some bready malt base

F: Sticky, oily, and yet a bit creamy--actually quite creamy

O: A different but nice hop forward IPA; I wish it tasted and smelled as good as it looked and felt but still a nice beer

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2012 05:43:26 | More by dbossman

Ratman197

Colorado

4.22/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bomber poured a clear orange amber with a lasting amber head. Aromas of biscuit, skunk bud, earthiness, pine and light grapoefruit. Mouthfeel was medium bodied and crisp with a dry finish. Flavors of biscuit, earhiness, pine and light grapefruit with a crisp dry moderatly bitter lingering earthy finish.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2011 23:54:20 | More by Ratman197

Seanibus

California

4/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A musky and sharp IPA, strong but satisfying.

Pours clear copper with a strong fluffy head and lots of carbonation. The aroma is funky and musky, followed by the flavor, which is earthy, musky, with toasted nut, menthol, wood, and a leathery, cigar edge. The mouthfeel is thick and prickly, with a woody, bitter finish and lots of piny, earthy hops on the tongue.

Intense.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2011 00:04:00 | More by Seanibus

kevanb

Illinois

3.65/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This IPA has been getting some buzz in SoCal recently and for the low price of five dollars for a bomber, I had to try one. This beer pours a very earthy light brown color almost like a dark honey color but more brown than orange. It has a pretty nice thick head that renders some really webbed lacing. It smells hopped up, lots of citrus in the nose as well as some resinous pine and some earthy root notes, not really any malty flavors. The flavors are pretty powerful, LOTS of bitter hop flavors with some lighter citrus notes and some firm pine flavors. This beer is a true hop riot, it’s very aggressively hopped and the flavors are a bit out of balance. It goes down pretty smoothly, has a nicely carbonated body but leaves a little astringent feeling from the alcohol, but at only 7.3% it could’ve been hidden a bit better.

Verdict: Certainly an aggressive IPA. I don’t mind an IPA this bold and for the price it’s certainly a bargain compared to some other offerings, but this one isn’t for everyone.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2011 22:40:24 | More by kevanb