Heady Topper - The Alchemist

mdurkee11

Florida

4.95/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Heady Topper is simply the best Imperial IPA I have ever tasted. Pours out of the can with an aroma of citrus and hops. The unfiltered appearance of this beer works so well with the aroma and adds quite a bit to the experience. The taste is a complex mix of heavy citrus and light hoppy flavor. Very well balanced with a crisp, enjoyable finish. A world class beer out of a can.

Serving type: can

04-26-2012 01:12:11 | More by mdurkee11

Streetcore

Massachusetts

4.95/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured a sample in a glass and drank the rest out of the can

A: Pours a hazy orange

S: Tropical fruit, fresh cut grass, lemon zest, pineapple, lots of herbal hops, musty hop smell

T: Pineapple, herbal hops, grass, grapefruit, some light pine

M: Light, crisp, lingering tropical fruit hop bitterness

O: Easily one of the best DIPAs out there. The smell of this beer alone is unbelievable. I can't wait until The Alchemist can get Topper in to the Boston market regularly. Cheers!

Serving type: can

05-01-2012 23:13:37 | More by Streetcore

tdexterc

Ohio

4.95/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A- As many before me have noted, it screams “DRINK FROM THE CAN!” so the dude abides. I poured a little into a shot glass to get an idea of it though. It’s much lighter in color than I anticipated, close to something like a golden straw color with a small head. The body is cloudy and there are delicious little bits of hops floating about. Don’t read too much into the appearance though. This was by no means a full pour, and I was more curious about the color more than anything else.

S- Grapefruity, citrusy, herbal hoppy goodness! My sweet dear baby Jesus does this beer smell GOOD! I think the mastermind behind this beer, John Kimmich, puts it best… “Sometimes I wish I could crawl right into the can”. I couldn’t agree with you more. It’s tough getting a HUGE whiff from the can (and you look kind of funny doing it) but it is absolutely there.

T- A sublime balance of many different hop characteristics is the most apparent flavor. Citrusy hops are first to show, followed by piney and earthy flavors. You’re left with a fresh, almost grassy flavor to enjoy once the beer is gone. This brew has so many complex hop flavors that by the time you’re done trying to decipher them after each sip, any major malt profile has since been overpowered which is just fine by me. This beer is a true hop lover’s wet dream.

M- A silky smooth body with a sharp alcohol bite is the driving force behind the mouthfeel here. A quick swish of the tongue releases a huge wave of oily hops and makes the beer slide down with ease.

O- If you love hoppy beers, beg, borrow, or steal to get this beer. Seriously, it’s THAT good. This right here is something special.

Serving type: can

05-08-2012 01:09:21 | More by tdexterc

BBri

New Jersey

4.95/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A: I guess this is the only "knock" (what a joke) on this beer. Cloudy with sediment and a lght burnt orange color. It doesn't look that pretty, but I don't want wall art, I want great beer.

S: strong citrus notes, mild piney smell with a hint of sweetness.

T: Initially a citrus rush. Mild hop flavor with a sharp, but not biting, finish. Absolutely delicious. .

M: "Thicker" than I thought it would be. Great full body with light carbonation. Very smooth, slides over tongue.

O: Highly recommeded. If you're looking for a DIPA, this one really has it all. Complete package. I.M.H.O., second only to Citra by Kern River.

Serving type: can

05-11-2012 18:14:59 | More by BBri

ceolach

Massachusetts

4.95/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This is the shiznit. Been drinking and home brewing for years. DIPA's are my thing and this is amazing. Best beer on the east coast IMHO and probably the best beer I've had. I lived on the west coast 15 years ago but haven't had the west coast stuff fresh in years but this stuff is amazing. $4 for a can is a steal. Planning another trip to VT just to stock up. I ruined myself.

Serving type: can

06-28-2012 21:07:27 | More by ceolach

middletonman2001

Maryland

4.95/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I had heard alot about Alchemist in the beer world and had yet to try any of their beers. The other day I was in Waterburry and decided to find their brewery. Apparently the brew pub was flooded badly during hurricane Irene along with the rest of Waterburry. Luckilly their new 15 barrel canning brewery was not damaged and now produces Heady topper exclusively. I went into their store and they were selling Heady Topper for $12 a 4-pack as well as a Glutein-free saison, but I was only interested in the Heady Topper, which is fairly hard to get a hold of unless you are in the Waterburry/Burlington area of Vermont. I live in north eastern Vermont and I hadn't seen it around, but have heard it can cost alot more than $3 a can in some gas stations.
I have allready drank the first 3 cans on a camping trip so iv'e decided to review my final can. The can says not to pour it out into a glass because it releases the essential hop aromas that they wish to retain. I decided to pour about a 1/3 of it into my 16 oz Long Trail pint glas just to see what it looks like. It has a light brown oily look to it with a good amount of head when poured quicly but it then disipates to just about a quarter inch or so. There is no comparison in smell between the can and when you pour it into a glass. When you first open the can and you put your nose to it and strongly inhale, it gives off a fantastic potent citrus piney smell that is boarderline orgasmic. If I could live in the can I would. Its similar to when I home brew and I take a big whiff of a bag of Cascade Hops, but you can smell the different layers of Hops, which is quite complex.
I am a big fan of IPA's and this double IPA does not disapoint. The taste is fantastic, at 8% you don't taste any alcohol that you would expect at a 8% ABV. The reason is the hops, you definitely taste hops, very crisp clean taste of citrus and pine, but very fresh at the back end, it doesn't have the bad sour after taste like some IPA's. I definitely do recomend you listen to the brewer and drink it out of a can, you just don't get the same experience out of a glass, which makes me wonder if I would order it at a bar, but probably I would because even out of a glass you would be getting a fantastic beer. I was skeptical about all the hype that this beer was getting, but I have to say this product definitley lives up to it. I'm never good at picking a favorite anything, but this would definitely be in my top 3, an absolute must try.

Serving type: can

07-17-2012 00:48:21 | More by middletonman2001

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

4.95/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This is incredible stuff, this beer was drank mostly from the can... only poured a sample of it out to enjoy the orange yellow color of it with a nice looking white head on top. Had a nice unfiltered cloudiness to it also. The smell of the beer is very hoppy, lots of pine aromas in it with the delicate floral and citrusy notes in there as well. The taste is probably worthy of a 5.5 honestly. There is no doubt that this has some of the best transitions of flavors I've had from any IPA. There is a huge rush of floral sweet citrus notes on the tongue in the very beginning, as the liquid settles there is a very subtle burst of malts on the tongue right before the aggressive pine resin starts to claw away at your taste buds. The mouthfeel is smoothly carbonated making this beer very easy to drink, it's medium bodied and has a nice dry finish to it. Overall this is something very special, The people up at Alchemist aren't screwing around here, they are setting out to make the best IPA in the world and I would say that they just might have it. This is a beer I would drive to Vermont to get cases of. I thoroughly enjoyed this beer. Looking forward to drinking the next 3 in the pack.

Serving type: can

08-02-2012 03:14:41 | More by Knapp85

Nicolay3535

Florida

4.95/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Thanks ZGunder you made my week with these heady toppers!

A- Pours a honey gold, with a nice 2 inch head, slighly murky with sediment which is why it gets a 4 and not a 5, although i could care less about the floaties in there.

S- WOW this this beer has a nose and a half, guava, passion fruit, citrus all in the front with a slight bit of that nice funk you would expect from a DIPA of this stature. It smells like my dreams and then some, probably one of the best noses I've ever smelled.

T- Man this thing kills other DIP's without even trying, i'm getting grapefruit in the front with those tropical fruit notes guiding to the funky goodness that lies in the end. It taste so good i even enjoy belching it out. Finishes slightly bitter but it doesn't sit heavy in your stomach, you could drink a few of these and not notice how fast they go.

M- Creamy almost malty but finishes dry, outstanding once again!

O- Amazing beer, one that i intend to drink for the rest of my life.

Serving type: can

09-06-2012 22:35:23 | More by Nicolay3535

BeerBuckeye

Ohio

4.95/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A - Pours a very hazy orange/yellow with nice 2 finger white head. I love the haziness here, almost pumpkin colored in tint.

S - Wow. Burst of grapefruit, mango, orange, and balanced off with some honey sweetness, some pine and grass. Very nice.

T - Incredibly drinkable, and the nose follows through in the taste here. It provides a ton of sweetness up front with fruity hop character, but remains incredibly balanced. Finishes with just a tinge of bitter, piney hop.

M - Crisp, full, and smooth. As I said, it's incredibly drinkable. Solid amount of carbonation.

Overall - Incredible. Lives up to the hype. And absolutely delicious beer. An experience every beer drinker needs to have.

Serving type: can

10-13-2012 19:13:55 | More by BeerBuckeye

shawnsteadman

4.95/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Simply my favorite beer, hands down. I love the nose on this beer; the grapefruit and other citrus notes are a pleasure. Depending on the time of year and what batch you get, the flavor varies, but it's always delicious. Heck, my only complaint is that it is difficult to acquire down here in the deep south.

Serving type: can

12-14-2012 19:52:49 | More by shawnsteadman

Seanniek91

New Hampshire

4.95/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Shared with RoninTK3. Served from a pint can into a Smuttynose glass.

Appearance- Looks like a witbier it's so cloudy. Can't see shit through it!

Smell- Just hops. Not floral or fruity. Just straight up hops.

Taste- Hop bomb! Straight hop bitterness (in a great way). Very vegetal and drinkable. Don't know how else to describe it.

Mouthfeel- Makes my whole mouth tingle. Not just a lasting flavor, but a lasting mouth tingle. So smooth and strangely drinkable.

Overall- Wow. Never had anything else like it.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2013 04:41:00 | More by Seanniek91

HugeBulge

New York

4.95/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

well..

A- It doesn't look like a clear filtered beer and it's very light color for the flavor it holds.

S- Hopps ...umm. All of them

T- Excellent. It doesn't taste piney to me like some of the other reviews. It is just a great mix of all of the hopps i've ever brewed with.

M- Very light for a 8% double ipa. It almost doesn't make sense. I have Goose Island Imperial IPA on tap in my kegerator and you would thing Heady is coors light next to that. It the only double ipa I feel like i could drink a 12 pack i one night.

O- Hands down my favorite beer. Drinkable like pliny but so much more hop flavor.

Serving type: can

01-13-2013 00:29:25 | More by HugeBulge

babbules

Connecticut

4.95/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I had this in a glass at lunch and in the can for dinner. Since the brewer recommends drinking directly from the can, that's how I'll rate it....although I will say it's coppery and cloudy in the glass. First off, the aroma is BRILLIANT. This is an awesomely hoppy-smelling beer with notes of candy and tropical fruit (maybe even peach?). The first thing I tasted was the roasty, nutty malts followed by a bitter punch in the mouth! The finish is fruity, falling somewhere between papaya and peach. What I found most surprising was the creamy, soft mouthfeel. This is to date the best beer I've ever had. It's well worth the hype and the drive to VT (since you can't get it anywhere else).

Serving type: can

01-21-2013 23:53:26 | More by babbules

bpd6120

New York

4.95/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I'm enjoying a Heady Topper right now. All around, its an incredible drink. It's become the beer that I judge other beers against. The flavor is bone deep, The aftertaste stays with me for minutes. When swishing it around in my mouth it turns into this delicious creamy foam. Its what I want other beers to taste like. Man, this is the real deal. I can't think of anything I don't like about the stuff.
I'm giving it a 4 for appearance because I prefer to drink from glasses, which i'm discouraged from doing.

Serving type: can

04-05-2013 04:19:32 | More by bpd6120

tittymcj

Connecticut

4.95/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Picked up a few cases from the brewery this morning. Had first can with my dad this afternoon.

A: Tall, aluminum can, perfectly sized for an adult male hand. Good graphics, and distinctive black pull tab with large mouth opening. Drank from can, as demanded by can.

S: Hop smell upon opening is intoxicating. You can smell it from feet away, literally. Very citrusy, very heavy, almost overbearing.

T: Extreme hoppiness is a shock to your mouth on first sip. Gives way to a more mellow hop flavor after a few seconds. Tons of citrus and bitterness, offset slightly by some malty bread notes.

M: Thick, due to the hop overload. Pleasant though, as the coating it leaves has a beautiful aftertaste.

O: 5. 5. 5. 5. 5. 5. Great beer.

Serving type: can

05-24-2013 20:10:38 | More by tittymcj

HopHeadCnK

Virginia

4.96/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

Saved my first review for my favorite beer I've ever had. Thank you grandparents for residing in Vermont and giving me an excuse to load up on Heady once a year.

A: Drank out of the can per Alchemist recommendation buy have also poured into a Sam Adams Lager glass. Very cloudy, hazy, light coloration.

S: Hits you in the nose. A little citrus along with lost of floral notes and hops. Hops over and over.

T: The gift that keeps on giving. A hop heads dream. Well blended, hoppy but not not overwhelming, just making you beg for more.

O: Favorite beer I've ever had. Give me this over any other DIPA, Pliny eat your heart out.

Serving type: can

10-04-2012 19:36:58 | More by HopHeadCnK

Dirtinabottle

New York

4.96/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

I followed the rules and drank from the can. The can appearance is intriguing by itself.

This beer is what got me into craft beer and specifically doubles. The smell was bright and citrusy. It kept coming before, after, and during every sip. I may have spent more time smelling the beer than actually drinking it. Totally unique.

Like biting into an explosive, carbonated starfruit. So many citrus and floral flavors going on.

More carbonated than I am used to in a beer. This, however, allows more taste to penetrate the palate.

Overall, this is my favorite beer of this style. I look forward to every opportunity to have another. Please allow access to this hop combination for a long, long, time. A blind tasters dream.

Serving type: can

01-27-2013 19:07:04 | More by Dirtinabottle

Heady978

Massachusetts

4.96/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

Heady Topper. This is it. This beer in my hand is truly the best DIPA, and maybe the best beer period. Pouring this beer into a brand new tulip glass seems blasphemous given the clear instructions to drink form the can, but I've done that enough, and can't miss an opportunity to enjoy the full sensory experience of HT.

A: Just gorgeous. Sunset orange with a bright white head that dissipates quickly but sticks around for the whole glass. Unfiltered to the max, which IMHO is a plus, especially when we're talking about DIPAs.

S: Smell is off the charts. Massive citrus and pine notes assault your nasal cavities from the moment you crack a can until the moment you take your last glorious sip. If only they made HT air fresheners...

T: 120 IBUs never tasted so good - a hopheads wet dream. Once the initial punch of hop bitterness passes, you are left with bright, cleansing grapefruit and overripe orange which fades into a subdued but present malt sweetness that leaves the beer tasting rather balanced (although this beer is not mean't to be balanced, so I'm puzzled as to why so many people criticize it for being too hop forward)

M: Brilliant. Smooth, almost creamy carbonation that pops the palate open and readies you for the onslaught of goodness.

O: Those who find themselves disappointed by HT, IMHO, simply do not possess the necessary knowledge of the DIPA style or the requisite love of American hops. This beer fires on all cylinders and I feel truly blessed to be able to drink it regularly. John Kimmich & company really have it figured out and I couldn't be happier for the heady people that make this heady beer come to life.

Serving type: can

01-11-2013 17:02:57 | More by Heady978

adamjfrantz

4.96/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

Perfect in lots of ways. The explosion of hoppy goodness is over the top. I've only had it fresh and oh boy is it good. Thought about letting some age but then I read on the can drink it young so here's to all of you cheers!

Also I might add drink it from the can. the glass or plastic cup( as we were forced to drink from around the hottub at the resort in VT) is a huge mistake the flavors are lost imeadiatly and it was depressing! Drink it up, if you can get it!

Serving type: can

02-08-2013 14:22:15 | More by adamjfrantz

Hendry

Vermont

4.96/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

"Grapefruit Bomb" is a highly overused term, yet it pretty much nails the flavor of Heady Topper: so many of the super hopped-up ales have a strong bitter aftertaste.HT has just the right combination of pleasant bitterness on the palate and carbonation, making it a superbly brewed DIPA, one that is very drinkable,and most enjoyable from start to finish.

The unpasteurized unfiltered Heady drinks like a meal, is chewy and not suited to chugging, but is completely satisfying

If you are lucky enough to get your hands on a 4 pack, you may well find yourself enjoying each can more than the last one (like myself), especially after making the rounds with other DIPA offerings in between tastings. Wait until at least can #3 before writing a review, and try other DIPAs in between: you may agree that Heady Topper comes out on top!

HT has become one of the few elite DIPAs by which all others are judged, worth the legendary Pliny status (though completely different in character). This top notch DIPA is readily available to me fresh from the "cannery" and I am looking for someone with fresh Hopslam and/or Zombie Dust to trade.

Serving type: can

04-14-2013 02:43:47 | More by Hendry

YieldToNothing

New York

4.96/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

poured half into a mini tulip, drinking the rest from the can.
i first tried this beer a couple of days ago and was blown away, now i'm having my second one and last for a while....
pours a copper orange, with a foamy head. not the prettiest beer in the world.
smells fantastic, citrus notes, like all good DIPAs, but the taste...
like biting into a grapefruit. i personally prefer it out of the can, it retains a certain crispness that just isn't there when i sip from the tulip.
this is a great beer. believe the hype

Serving type: can

04-13-2013 02:23:50 | More by YieldToNothing

scottum

Vermont

4.97/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Served a pale amber with a small light head. Hops are the flavor of choice here, but they are done right. Such a yummy bite. Actually does live up to it's name as the hops are strong enough to give off the heady within the buzz. Hops are not overly complex, yet not too simple either. This is one of the best IPAs I've ever had. Served only in 12oz glasses, the abv is not at all apparent. Sooo smooth. I'm sad that El Jefe is no longer on the menu, but I'd take the Heady Topper over the chief anyday.

Serving type: on-tap

03-27-2004 01:09:10 | More by scottum

gamanley

Connecticut

4.97/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Pours a cloudy amber with about an inch of white foamy head. The head settled to the surface quickly, but stuck the whole way down the glass. Very nice looking IPA.

The smell is great. A beautiful bouquet of hop aroma, wow. Lots of citrus hops (mango, orange, grapefruit, and pineapple) and floral hops aromas here. I'm not getting malt in the nose, but that really isn't an issue here. This is the best DIPA I've had the chance to smell.

Unsurprisingly the taste is all about a great hop profile. The hop bitterness is right upfront that slightly dissipates through each sip. There is a graceful blend of hop floral, citrus, and herbal hop flavors. There's a mix of fruit flavor that come through from the hops. Peach, mango, and pineapple all come to mind. Hops aren't the only thing there, caramel and bready malt flavors come through to support the hops. I must say this is the best tasting DIPA I've had to date.

I was interested in seeing how the mouthfeel translated to the bottles. It was pretty spot on in the draft version. The bottle says that the carbonation is at pub draft levels. The carbonation is on the lower end of the DIPA scale, but this added with the amount of hops has the effect of giving the mouthfeel a juicy feeling. Very nice.

The drinkability for such a hoppy, 8% abv beer is very high. A pint of this goes done very easily. This is at the top of my favorite beer list right now. I really hope that canning line gets up and running soon, this stuff is too good.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2010 00:22:19 | More by gamanley

krisandajt

Pennsylvania

4.97/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Sharing a bottle of this with mymrnngjckt. Really looking forward to this...

Appearance: Poured from the bottle, this beer is a cloudy, amber color with a good inch + worth of bone white head. Lacing is impressive, too. The beer had a viscous look to it while it was being poured, this is gonna be good.

Smell: Unbelievable! Huge hops, plenty of ripe grapefruit and pine. Really fresh smelling too.

Taste: Awesome doesn't begin to describe how good this beer tastes. The grapefruit and pine blend together very nicely, and the bitterness hangs around just long enough to savor before it finishes clean.

Mouthfeel: Full body, great carbonation, and an almost syrupy kind of feel to it. Fantastic!

Drinkability: The best DIPA I've ever had. I cannot recommend this beer enough.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2010 02:16:56 | More by krisandajt

warriorsoul

Pennsylvania

4.97/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Yes, that's right...bottled! Thanks to John and Co. for finally releasing this one. First tried this at the Cyclorama in Boston (EBF) when The Alchemist was just getting started and have had on tap at the source a handful of times. Very happy to have a friend bust out a bomber at a small gathering last night.
Pours a hazy pale amber color with a nice bright white head that creates some great lacing.
Aroma is remarkable....it seriously made me feel like I was sitting in downtown Waterbury enjoying at the source. So fresh....a boatload of citrus and piney hops grab every bit of my olfactory senses and I can wait no longer to take a sip.
Taste is just as rewarding.
Such a tremendous balance of hops here, as the piney, sticky, semi-sweet citrus hops are quickly grounded by the bittering hops that immediately follow. This beer has just enough of a malt backbone to keep this DIPA in check and the 8% is very well hidden.
Mouthfeel may be the best I have experienced for an IPA/DIPA. The carbonation is a bit low, but that is the intention and it carries over very well to the bomber and makes this one extremely drinkable.
I only wish I could have made the trek back to the brewery the day of the release, but it won't be long until I am back to enjoy this and all of the other great beers that are flowing on any given day.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2010 01:59:36 | More by warriorsoul