Heady Topper - The Alchemist

Dennoman

Belgium

4.35/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Reasonably fresh can, as fresh as I can get them in Europe. Thank you PaulMcConnell, been dying to try this hype monster since I first heard of it. Canned September 5th, had September 23rd. Poured a small amount into a glass for the appearance.

A: A muddy yellow attractive looking DIPA. Foam dies down very quickly: is this intentional because of the can drinking gimmick, or is there just not enough attention to details like PH levels during brewing?

S: O... M... G. This is where this beer shines. Waves upon waves of citrus. Pineapple is predominant, followed by overripe peach. Slight lemon and orange zest. Some honey and even a tiny bit of booze. Every time you take a whiff off this, you get something new.

T: Everything you get on the smell is what hits the palate first. After the swirl and swallow, it magically turns into a dry bitterness that cleans the palate completely. I might have enjoyed some more fruitiness, which is why it scores lower in the flavor department for me than i.e. the Three Floyds Zombie Dust. It beats any other IPA I've had in the smell department hands down, but the taste just turns overly dry and bitter for me. Not disappointing, but a lot different from what I expected.

M: Nice medium carbonation that befits the style beautifully and makes this beer insanely light (and dangerous) to drink. You need to drink this fairly fast though, as mine went almost completely flat after a good ten to fifteen minutes.

O: Wow. It's hard to say this considering there are so many different styles, each with their own distinct smell and taste profiles, but this is probably the best smelling beer I've ever had. The pineapple and peach aroma is simply divine and one of the easiest 5/5 I've ever handed out. I would drink this by the case-load for the rest of my life, if only it wasn't damn near impossible to get here in Europe. I'm very thankful to have tried this, and it was very interesting to taste a non-West Coast IPA that's still considered one of the world's finest.

A true honor and a reminder to how very humbling it is to be a part of this great community. Thanks again Paul!

Serving type: can

09-23-2012 17:40:28 | More by Dennoman

haknort

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev -4.7%

05-19-2013 03:06:12 | More by haknort

Damian74Shensky

South Carolina

4.25/5  rDev -10%

05-19-2013 03:04:36 | More by Damian74Shensky

eyeenjoybeer

Indiana

5/5  rDev +5.9%

05-18-2013 16:41:50 | More by eyeenjoybeer

Beer-A-Lot

Virginia

4.46/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Had an unexpected opportunity to buy this from someone so jumped on it. Never thought I'd get a chance.

Drank 1/3 from can, then rest from pint.

A - Cloudy, nice full head. Very foamy head with lots of lacing.

S - An amazing aroma, with tons of citrus/grapefruit/lemony and herbal smells. You could find yourself just sniffing the can or glass for . . . minutes. But then you have to drink.

T - Without a doubt, the least hoppy and bitter DIPA I've ever had. Extremely smooth. Not too carbonated. While this isn't my favorite style, if this were the only IPA I ever drank, it probably would be a favorite style. Almost tastes like a sparkling beverage that's been spiked. But better.

M - Rich, creamy, and very smooth.

O - I can understand why people rave about this beer. I found myself saying several time, "Mmm, this is quite good. I'm really impressed" I rarely say that about IPAs. I'll happily drink this again. And again.

Serving type: can

05-18-2013 15:59:24 | More by Beer-A-Lot

jbarletto

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +5.9%

05-18-2013 14:27:02 | More by jbarletto

JonRogers

Massachusetts

4.84/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

I didn't see the beer in a glass as I drank it from the can as recommended, but I imagine it is beautiful judging from the smell. I also drank it a little on the cold side... to thirsty to wait. Taste is fruitful and as smooth as in Imp IPA gets. Hoppy as hell in the best way. Again, very smooth. I drink IPA's 90% of the time and I cant say I have had a better beer.

Serving type: can

05-18-2013 02:56:27 | More by JonRogers

mkirkland80

Virginia

5/5  rDev +5.9%

05-18-2013 02:09:05 | More by mkirkland80

timoteo833

New York

4.75/5  rDev +0.6%

05-18-2013 01:55:23 | More by timoteo833

PowderRay

Connecticut

4.75/5  rDev +0.6%

05-17-2013 19:30:05 | More by PowderRay

Glider

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev -10%

05-17-2013 13:34:22 | More by Glider

muzzy

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +5.9%

05-17-2013 11:37:09 | More by muzzy

HinghamRick

Massachusetts

4.75/5  rDev +0.6%

05-17-2013 06:43:43 | More by HinghamRick

BillyHayes

California

5/5  rDev +5.9%

05-17-2013 06:40:33 | More by BillyHayes

zestar

California

4.75/5  rDev +0.6%

05-17-2013 06:18:00 | More by zestar

myersk27

Indiana

5/5  rDev +5.9%

05-17-2013 03:44:23 | More by myersk27

BigStein88

New Hampshire

5/5  rDev +5.9%

05-17-2013 02:38:49 | More by BigStein88

ReddMoneyBrown

California

4.5/5  rDev -4.7%

05-17-2013 02:26:08 | More by ReddMoneyBrown

Big_J22

Maryland

5/5  rDev +5.9%

05-17-2013 01:38:12 | More by Big_J22

thegoon55

South Carolina

4.91/5  rDev +4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Heady is the real deal.

A- standard golden color, big white head disappears into little lacing.

S- wow. Grapefruit bomb. I love.

T- massive grapefruit notes, pipe, little bit of bitter hops. Lovely.

M- medium perfect body medium carbonation

O- understand why this is the number one beer in the world. Is it the best or my favorite beer? No. But there is nothing wrong with it.

Serving type: can

05-17-2013 00:50:09 | More by thegoon55

skyout

Massachusetts

4.53/5  rDev -4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Very smooth on the mouthfeel with excellent golden color. Very complex flavors, including a slight metallic taste which is common to IPA's of this type. Overall, excellent in all categories. The brewer encourages one to drink from the can, which isn't typical, but definitely adds to the experience.

Serving type: can

05-16-2013 23:07:05 | More by skyout

Cdunk11

Pennsylvania

5/5  rDev +5.9%

05-16-2013 23:02:23 | More by Cdunk11

BillRoth

Maryland

4.75/5  rDev +0.6%

05-16-2013 22:28:33 | More by BillRoth

MerriweatherRaven

Maryland

5/5  rDev +5.9%

05-16-2013 19:52:24 | More by MerriweatherRaven

JimmyFlatRock

Ohio

4.75/5  rDev +0.6%

05-16-2013 19:16:29 | More by JimmyFlatRock