Heady Topper - The Alchemist

cooler4life

Quebec (Canada)

4.7/5  rDev -0.4%
look: 3 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Reviewing straight from can to mouth per the request of the brewer. Poured a small amount in a Duvel tulip to assess appearance.

A: Poured a cloudy straw yellow color with small to moderate lacing and glass retention. I see some yeast particulate suspended in the air. About average, which is why I suspect we are directed to consume from the can.

S: As I first crack the can, a geyser of hop propelled CO2 assaults my face. After I regain my senses, essences of pine, dank moss, pineapple, orange, fresh flowers. It presents itself surprisingly sweet, but make no mistake, it oozes with fresh hop aroma.

T: Everything an DIPA should be. My palate is ravaged by concentrated hop juice. The balance of pine, honey toasted biscuit, grapefruit, orange, and lemongrass intertwine to create a symphony of hop magic. It has a relatively light malt backbone.

M: Chewy and juicy, medium body, balanced carbonation. The balance of the elements only serve as a conduit to facilitate the coating of more hop resin in my mouth. The finish is incredibly smooth with no indication of the 8% ABV. Extremely drinkable.

O: A perfect example of the style, this was a treat from start to finish. Do I want more? Yes.
World Class.

Serving type: can

02-20-2012 19:05:26 | More by cooler4life

liquorpig

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +5.9%

05-21-2013 00:48:02 | More by liquorpig

Jslay013

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +5.9%

05-20-2013 21:33:50 | More by Jslay013

jbeervt

Vermont

5/5  rDev +5.9%

05-20-2013 19:21:04 | More by jbeervt

CharlatanSin

Connecticut

4.9/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

Review from notes accumulated while going through a case of HT over 4 weeks. First can was 4 days old, last can was right around a month. Mostly poured into tulips, but had a few straight from the can, too.

A: There's no two ways about it, guys -- the floaties in this beer are ugly. I don't care much about them, and I guess it gives the beer a rustic characteristic, but I've got to ding HT on the pure appearance score. Perfectly attractive beer otherwise. Nice golden amber with a big, puffy off-white head and lots of lacing.

S: The aroma of fresh HT is just wonderful. A complex and unique hop blend. Big pine, tropical fruit, citrus. A bit of caramel malt provides sweet balance. I'm almost having trouble describing it because it's basically perfect (to my own taste). A month in, the aroma is a bit less intense, but no less complicated or outstanding. I'd rank it a 5 after 4 days and a 5 after a month.

T/M: Incredibly juicy. More fruit-like and less pine compared to the nose. Tropical fruit is dominant -- pineapple, mango, what have you. Some of the more traditional citrus -- grapefruit mainly. Also getting a distinct apricot flavor, which somebody once told me was from the proprietary yeast but I'm not sure. Decent amount of caramel and biscuity malt to balance. Like the aroma, it gets a little less intense over a month but no less wonderful. Mouthfeel is slick. Carbonation's a little on the high side. Decently bitter but insanely drinkable. Not a hint of the ABV.

O: This is not going to be my highest rated beer, because of the appearance score, but I think it's my favorite. It's worth every bit of the hype. Make some good friends in Vermont, kids.

Serving type: can

05-20-2013 19:08:07 | More by CharlatanSin

aakerman

New York

4.5/5  rDev -4.7%

05-20-2013 17:35:55 | More by aakerman

AL89BR

New Jersey

5/5  rDev +5.9%

05-20-2013 14:50:22 | More by AL89BR

KickbacksSteve

Florida

4.66/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75

Drinking from a 16 ounce can, per the can's request. Thanks for this one Cheesemoose. No freshness date. I'm told that this is a "fresh" can. Still not sure why everyone isn't dating their beers. Popped the can, aroma is bursting out of the little hole, pine, grapefruit, packed full of hops, awesome aroma. Taste is resinous and flavorful. Mainly grapefruit but notes of grass and pine. Totally juiced with flavor. Even the burps taste good.

Serving type: can

05-20-2013 03:58:53 | More by KickbacksSteve

miketd

Ohio

4/5  rDev -15.3%

05-20-2013 01:32:39 | More by miketd

Ctrauty

Minnesota

4.5/5  rDev -4.7%

05-20-2013 01:25:11 | More by Ctrauty

Omnium

Pennsylvania

4.58/5  rDev -3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Can > 2xIPA Glass

A - Pours an off color amber, 2 finger white head, minor lacing. Lots of yeast floating around.
S - Very dank hop aromas, some pine & spruce, citrus peels, grapefruit, white grape juice.
T - Those dank hops are intense, lots of white grape flavor, pine, spruce and earthy tones, tart apple, and a little sweet malt.
M - Full and well carbonated, easily drinkable.
O - While I'm not on par with the appearance, everything else is solid about this beer, though its not my favorite, nor do I think its worth all the hype. Compared to Pliny, its a no-contest situation, its thoroughly better. This actually delivers, lots of good aroma and the taste is solid, love the big grape flavor in this. Its a shape Alchemy is being too hipster to expand and make other things, or even distribute more.

Serving type: can

05-19-2013 23:29:30 | More by Omnium

TreeBeard

Ohio

4/5  rDev -15.3%

05-19-2013 20:34:41 | More by TreeBeard

KAP1356

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +0.6%

05-19-2013 20:23:58 | More by KAP1356

Dyelawn

Maine

5/5  rDev +5.9%

05-19-2013 19:09:32 | More by Dyelawn

indybearsfan

Indiana

4.75/5  rDev +0.6%

05-19-2013 17:50:36 | More by indybearsfan

masshlx

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +5.9%

05-19-2013 17:16:12 | More by masshlx

ShawnMH

Indiana

4.75/5  rDev +0.6%

05-19-2013 14:52:25 | More by ShawnMH

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