Exponential Hoppiness - Alpine Beer Company

Hendry

Vermont

4.59/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Pours a hazy amber orange,brisk carbonation, dense three finger upon an aggressive pour, Navajo white head that last a few minutes before becoming a permanent cap.Lacing is fantastic.

Aroma is a hint boozy but there is so much going on with this IIIPA. Layers of hops and hop flowers and oak on top of a firm malt bill to tame all that bitterness make for an interesting nose, and there is a distinct note of bready caramel sweetness, particularly as it warms.

Taste is that of a piney/citrus hop wallop, notes of tangerine, and thankfully, at least for my taste, the sweet malt apparent in the aroma takes the rumble seat to the hops. The bitterness from the hops and the aggressive dry hopping and addition of hop flowers ride beautifully over the top of the sweetish malts. A touch of booze is overall well hidden, particularly for that of a triple IPA.

Mouthfeel is a bright spot: crisp and relatively dry, a hint of sweetness overshadowed by genuine bitterness that lasts. Sprightly carbonation help dance the flavors across your palate without ever degenerating into a malty mess.

Overall, a well balanced and flavorful Triple IPA that really packs an alcohol wallop at 11% abv. The folks at Alpine have a knack for quality, and Exponential Hoppiness is no exception.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2013 03:10:07 | More by Hendry

Vonerichs

Illinois

4.39/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bright orange and crystal clear body. Bright white contrasting head and no lacing.

Huge piney aroma with dank and caramel sweetness. Faint bubble gum.

Enormously hoppy. Pine, tangerine, orange peel, and dank. Caramel then some wood add depth. The tangerine lingers with a strong finish.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied and dry. Slightly boozy but as expected.

It's a top notch DIPA that's fresh and juicy. It's worth seeking out.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2013 00:18:54 | More by Vonerichs

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

4.26/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

This poured out as a slightly hazy orange color with a white head on top. Nice looking lacing with a thin retention on top. The smell of the beer is very piney, very sharp aroma of hops on the nose. The aroma reminded me of another strong IPA I've had before. The taste is malty up front kind of boozy as well. The hops fill in nicely later in the aftertaste. The mouthfeel of the beer is sharp with carbonation. There is a oily feel as well. Overall it's a really good brew, similar to DfH 120.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2013 22:19:25 | More by Knapp85

jlindros

Massachusetts

4.39/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Big thanks to peterdactyl (Reddit) for an awesome huge trade that included this. Shared with rudzud.

Smaller pale white fizzy fluffy head fades at a med pace, light lacing, semi hazy golden almost copper orange color with a bit of yeast or hop sediment.

Nose explodes out of the bottle, big hops, tons of citrus, orange peel, candied orange peel, light tropical fruit tangerine hint grapefruit like, big sweet malts, candy like, some pine almost sap like, and another earthy herbal fir tree pine thing like pine forest , very nice.

Taste is quite nice too but a little different, tons of pine and fir tree, earthy pine tree sap and light resin, etc. Then citrus but lighter, candied orange peel again, a spices like flavor almost the cedar like conifer flavor, almost as if they brewed it with small pine needles. Hint tangerine fruit, light tropical like. I think the oak and pine and citrus mixed give that light cedar like flavor. Bitterness is there but not crazy, fairly smooth, some warming booze but hidden fairly well by the sweet syrupy malt flavors. Finish its sweet, little syrupy, hint biscuity bready flavor, candied orange peel, quite a bit more bitterness and light spicy hops, more lingering pine tree and sap.

Mouth is med to fuller bodied, little syrupy, fluffy carb, some warming booze but not nearly 11%.

Overall very nice, not what I'm used to for alpine or west coast style, big sweet malty balance with booze hidden well, tons of nice hops citrus and pine bomb, but tasty.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2013 13:10:02 | More by jlindros

rudzud

Massachusetts

4.41/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Big thanks to JLindros for sharing.

A - Poured into a palm tulip a glorious slightly hazy golden apricot hue with a one finger white head that fades to leave sticky lacing, halo, and clouding. Excellent for the ABV.

S - Aromas of hop oil galore, pine and candy orange peel along with nice sweet malts.

T - Taste was not quite what I was expecting after the nose. Much more orange peel than pine along with sweet syrupy malts with a light bready biscuits finish. Faint oak notes on the finish as well as that excellent lingering bitterness.

M - Mouthfeel is a lightly carbonated slightly creamy feel. The booze is hidden incredibly well all things considered. Well done!

O - Overall I enjoyed this beer immensely. Just a tasty dipa that hits all the right notes. Lives up to the hype, not you're typical west coast dipa.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2013 20:26:56 | More by rudzud

AlexFields

Tennessee

3.76/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

Pours a medium caramel color, pretty hazy, huge off white head.

Smells super hoppy, big bright spicy kick, lots of bitterness, and also super sweet juicy citrus...peach? Bubblegum? Kindof crazy extremes both going on at once. Not sure if I've smelled anything quite like this, smells great though.

Taste is really unusual, hard to place. Pretty bitter but bitterness is overpowered by sweet citrus and super spicy hops. I don't know if the oddness is malt or hop in origin...I like this but it's kindof confusing to my palette.

Mouthfeel is really good for a high abv IPA, lots of carb but rich thick body too.

Not as straightforwardly awesome as the other Alpine IPAs, but really good and definitely worth trying.

7.7/10

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2013 02:50:21 | More by AlexFields

WillCarrera

Illinois

4.54/5  rDev +2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22 oz bottle, generously shared at the Peg's tasting on 3/8/13.

A- Pours a nearly clear dark golden color, topped with a finger of creamy white head.

S- Damn I love Alpine's IPAs. Loads and loads of pine, grapefruit and tropical fruit, as well as a really awesome dank, garlicy, earthy hop aroma.

T- The hops are back in the flavor, loads of pine and citrus and tropical fruit, but again it's the earthy, dank weed/garlic flavor that makes this as awesome as it is. There's more caramel malt than was noticeable in the aroma, which balances it nicely.

M- Medium-bodied, good carbonation, smooth and creamy.

O- Another fabulous DIPA from Alpine, the hop flavors are amazing as always, it's maybe a bit sweeter and less dry than others like Bad Boy, but it's a damn fine IPA.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2013 03:34:06 | More by WillCarrera

Alieniloquium

Florida

3.94/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

650 mL bottle poured into a taster.

Appearance - Deep amber almost copper. Not much of a head. Slight wisps.

Smell - Not as citrusy as I expected. Grapefruit and a ton of pine. Malt behind it. Musty.

Taste - Hoppier here, but it has just as much malt. Pretty damn hoppy. Grapefruit and resiny pine. Not my favorite hop profile but it's over the top and somehow balanced by malt.

Mouthfeel - Heavy for an IPA. Medium carbonation.

Overall - Least impressive IPA from Alpine. Still a pretty damn good IPA.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2013 20:15:37 | More by Alieniloquium

Mercury4040

California

4.7/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75

Split a 22oz bottle with my wife (well actually 60/40-me). Served in a tulip glass.

Appearance: Rich copper color with a finger of off white head. Great lacing separating ever delicious sip.

Smell: Extremely hoppy and oaky. Pine, sweet citrus, extremely floral and musky.

Taste: Very bitter with pine, citrus and mango coming through. Subtle malts that just barely balance out the bitterness to never let you forget you're drinking a hop bomb. A bit sweeter than the last release. (Cold weather delayed the fermentation process by 1 week, not sure if that had anything to do with it.)

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, mild carbonation and oily. Just the very slightest hint of lingering booziness at the end. What to you expect for 11%?

Overall: Go into it with the mindset that you're experiencing one of the most labor intensive special releases from Alpine and you wont be disappointed. Great celebratory beer even if it's celebrating the end of a long day at work. Alpine definitely has easier drinking beers (Duet and Nelson) but none better.

Serving type: bottle

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2013 15:58:23 | More by Mercury4040

jvillefan

California

4.79/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

A: A beautiful golden yellow orange body with a two finger off white head.

S: Tons of sweetness on the front of the nose. Caramel and huge hop resin contribute to this. There is a lingering bitterness in the background of pine and citrus.

T: Probably the best bottled IPA out there. All the flavors are blended perfectly and don't fight over the dominate each other. There is rich caramel, deep citrus, and crisp bitterness.

M: For an IPA this has a heavy body with great carbonation.

O: Amazing. Get this one fresh no matter the cost.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 16:05:41 | More by jvillefan

4DAloveofSTOUT

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to leschkie for this awesome extra from a trade! Thanks Kurtis!
poured into tulip glass.

Appearance: copper colored almost amber beer with a finger of off white head. Sticky lace is everywhere on the beer glass.

Smell: Its smells very hoppy and oaky. Lots of pine, citrus, and dank hoppiness.

Taste: Its on the high end of moderately bitter. Pine cones and citrus. Earthy, oaky, grassy and floral hops. The malts are fairly bready and add some balance to this beer. Lingering pine and oak are found in the finish.

Mouthfeel: medium bodied beer with moderate carbonation. This beer has an oily and resinous feel to it. Its still has a dry finish despite the oily and resinous qualities the beer has in the feel. Not a hint of alcohol.

Overall: This is a big hoppy beer. Its honestly also over the top hoppy! Alpine makes a fantastic beer here and you can tell this brewery loves their hops!

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2012 18:50:35 | More by 4DAloveofSTOUT

Prospero

Colorado

4.65/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Excellent clear dark copper color with a white head, good retention, pleasant floral and slightly piney aroma with sweet malt nose. Taste is equally similar balance with sweet malts giving it a full-rich body and the caramel and bready malts give this triple IPA a great backbone that support the overwhelming hops in this beer. While it's strong, it is smooth to drink and tastes phenomenal.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2012 22:44:03 | More by Prospero

Treebs

Illinois

4.4/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Review #500

Big thanks to Eric (Holland) for hitting this long time want! 22 oz. bottle served in a Westbrook tulip.

A: Pours a clear amber color with a nice and thick pure white head forming on the pour. It recedes slowly to a thin cap and thick collar. Sticky sheets of lace are left down the glass. Looks great.

S: Sugar covered grapefruit, some bitter pith, a touch of malty sweetness and sticky fruit all fill the nose. There is a touch of booze in there which I would suspect being 11%. There is a touch of wood from the oak chips and slight flowery pine to it as well. There's a ton going on.

T: Wow, definitely drinks a lot lighter than how it smells and how one would guess. Sticky sweet grapefruit, some tropical melon, and sweet sugar cookie malts all hit up front. Candied orange peel with a mild orange pith bitterness. The slight boozy note from the nose is non-existent here.

M: Medium to light bodied with a nice medium plus carbonation level. Sticky sweet citrus fruit finish.

O: I though this was going to be a big and boozy hop bomb when I first smelled it, but it really toned down in the taste and it turned in a lighter drinking tropical fruit and sweet malt bundle of deliciousness. Very excited to have gotten a chance to try my first Alpine IPA. Thanks again Eric!

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2012 23:31:43 | More by Treebs

kawilliams81

Illinois

4.38/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 22 oz bottle into a AleSmith Horny Devil snifter.

A- Pours a dark golden with a 1 finger off-white head. Lots of leopard spots and trails of lacing on the glass.

S- Caramel, huge wet/fresh hop and floral hop aromas.

T- Sweet caramel malts, again big fresh floral hops and some nice pine bitterness.

M- Full body and medium carbonation. Slightly syrupy but has a nice smooth finish.

O- Very nice DIPA, not overly bitter while still has lots of floral hop aromas & flavors.

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2012 19:23:36 | More by kawilliams81

Reagan1984

Massachusetts

4.48/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Very pleased to have finally had the opportunity to try this beer. No doubt it was on my IPA/DPA bucket list. Enjoying this bomber after some interesting meetings.

Not a great deal of head forms as I pour into y Charleston Beer Exchange glass. Bright Orange color with a thickness to the color. A few suds in the glass, but not a lot of lace left behind.

My GOD that aroma is thick in your nostrils. Resinous, Sweet, I can already tell it will be sticky just from smelling it. Tons of ripe and almost over ripe tropical fruit. Some sticky pine in the background.

First thought is about the sweetness that is so chewy and resinous. Lots o’ hops here. TOns of sticky sweet fruit as I thought. Lots of tropical notes at first then off to the pine forest. Some herbal notes late. I’d say the abv is tamped down by the sweetness, but I wouldn’t say it’s hidden. You can just tell this is a big beer.

Yep, this is a sticky resin bomb. Hop oils coat your tongue. Not for the faint of heart.

My God, this is a big beer. Almost bordering on over the top. Don’t get me wrong, it’s great... But it’s a mouth full.

I read the label and see there are Oak Chips used here. I’d never notice or mention this in a million years without having read this on the label. Even after knowing, I can’t tell you I sense their inclusion.

I believe that Duet (then Nelson) remains my favorite Alpine item. But this is a treat for sure.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2012 22:40:03 | More by Reagan1984

Holland

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to LegalBrew87 on sending this my way!

A: beautiful straw to gold color with a small white head that leaves some lacing. Looks fairly thick, with not a hint of cloudiness.

S: woody and earthy at first, some spicy hop smells, and sweetness comes through as it warms.

T: pretty mellow, some apricot, wood, and a bitter bite mixed with a sweet candy-like taste. A big weird, but still good. Lot of other fruity flavors I can't identify, but it is full of flavor.

M: big body, medium carbonation, smooth feeling.

O: solid beer, and very well put together, but I'm rating it based on my tastes. It's fruity and woody and delicious, but not my favorite because it's not in my face with hops.

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2012 01:36:22 | More by Holland

MrVonzipper

California

4.78/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Like Chris said, it does pour a clear honey color. Decent bubbly white head with good retention and lace.

Smells of candy and tropical fruit. Mango, peach, apricot.

Flavor is amazing. An amazing balance of malt and hops for such a big ipa. Amazing tropical fruit and honey/candy like sweetness balanced with the pineappley and mild citrus hops.

Mouth is a bit tacky yet still light with high carb.

Overall this beer is far beyond what I was expecting. Just fantastic and a breath of fresh air in a time where too many breweries are producing similar big ipas now. Just fantastic!

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2012 09:07:31 | More by MrVonzipper

UCLABrewN84

California

4.3/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a clear honey orange with a foamy beige head that settles to wisps of film on top of the beer. Small dots of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, citrus fruit, citrus zest, and herbal, earthy, and slightly vegetal hops. Taste is much the same with a honey flavor. There is a mild amount of citrus zest bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a very good beer with some nice aromas and a great flavor.

Serving type: bottle

09-17-2012 01:42:02 | More by UCLABrewN84

Duff27

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Fluffy white head on a clear darker golden body. Splotchy lacing, good cap and collar.

I get pine on the nose. Mmmmm.

Yes hops but more than adequate malt backbone to me. Dank aftertaste. Hard to believe this is 11%abv.

Thicker mouthfeel for a DIPA, near syrupy. Lower end of carbonation.

Solid DIPA here. People say top tier and I'd say that's arguable on either side. Very good. Recommended to get some if you can. Thanks for sharing kawilliams81.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2012 22:37:36 | More by Duff27

brystmar

Texas

4.33/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Drink it fresh!

Darker than Pure, more copper hues. Boozy, hoppy aroma with a unique mix of tropical and dark fruits. Interesting, I like it.

Deliciously complex taste: intensely hoppy, caramelized booze, some fruity notes in the back, minimal resin. Delicious, awesome, fantastic, etc. I could drink the shit out of this stuff.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2012 02:02:38 | More by brystmar

rawfish

California

4.55/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours medium gold into a tulip forming a two finger high head of tight white bubbles. Rings of lacing follows average retention. Attractive beer.

Pungent and room filling aroma. Tropical and floral notes waft out of the glass. When you really get your nose into it there's a deep pungent mango, pine and citrus hop aroma. Malts and the oak chips really don't make much of an impact just really great IPA aroma.

Solid malt back bone that stays balanced despite the explosion of pungent pine and citrus rind hops. Hops are dominated by orange, grapefruit rind and pine. In the middle of the drink there is some earthiness and vanilla tones which I assume are from the oak chips. Mild bitterness and a lingering aftertaste of dried pineapple and lychee as the beer dries.

Medium bodied, adequate carbonation. A little chalky dryness that gets tiresome at the end of the bottle. Really impressive for an 11% alcohol volume.

Triple IPA, such a challenge to get the alcohol feel down while still showcasing the brilliant bold hops without going overboard on the malts. Alpine brews creatively and ultimately does it right. Bold room filling aroma, the oak chips set it apart from the norm of pine/citrus ipas. 11% abv is well hidden, but I sure am feeling it. Thankful to get to try this.

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2012 06:38:39 | More by rawfish

eric5bellies

Australia

4.5/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Drank from my Duvel tulip.

Big thanks to Nicks6217

A - Pours a cloudy light Honey colour, with a White head that lines the glass well.

S - Aromas of Pineapple and Honey malt, with a strong hoppy backbone.

T - Strong hoppy flavours, pineapple, blood orange and a strong bitter finish. A nice malty backbone.

M - Medium to full body with minimal carbonation

O - Intense hoppy beer and i'm recommending this as a must try.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2012 12:38:50 | More by eric5bellies

sukwonee

Washington

4.13/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Obtained this one through a trade. Thanks (you know who you are!)

It's a 3 month old bottle, but that's the latest batch made by the brewery. So... here it goes:

A: Clear orange/amber color, with 1 finger head. good amount of lacing. Lots of bubbles.

S: Mango, orange zest, grapefruit, some bitter, pine, very complex. I can also smell some malt.

T: I swear to god... I can taste some soy? in there towards the middle. Floral, some herbs, pine, I can't really make out the fruits, other than grapefruit and orange. Very different from all other IPAs I have had before.

M: I wish this was a bit more carbonated. It's a bit on the flatter side. Surprisingly lighter in body than it appears (although I wouldn't call it light).

O: I am glad I got to try this. I wonder how it tastes fresher. I think it needs a bit carbonation or thickness in the body.

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2012 03:01:25 | More by sukwonee

TangTKE402

New York

4.75/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A: Poured from a bomber bottle into a pint glass. Honey-colored (almost apple juice) with a 1-finger ecru head. Clarity varies depending on how you pour: Sediment at the bottom into the glass gives it a cloudier consistency, but if that's not your preference, you can leave it in and keep it clearer. Some lacing, but nothing to write home about.

S: This is a brightly smelling beer, lots of pine hops, balsam fir, raw cookie dough from the yeast, citrus and flowers, and bitter rind.

T: This is a complex, multi-faceted beer with a lot to love. The "triple-hop" label can deceive your expectations: This is not a "ruiner of tastebuds" that will hit you over the head with hoppiness. Instead, it exposes a smooth, mellow hop blend that fills the mouth. Notes of bright citrus (orange, grapefruit, rind, etc.) with an earthy, vanilla extract, dry pine needle character, and a lingering aftertaste that is mild and dry. Definite flavors of cookie dough and bread dough (probably the yeast) are in the mouth, with some dehydrated fruit and apricot. The overall taste is beautiful and brain-wrinkling. Not much hint of booze can be detected (it's sneaky.)

M: Lightly chewy, with a superb balance, and a presence that is firmly there, but not overpowering. Balance would be the word for this beer throughout.

O: A beer that is in perfect balance with itself, and a triple IPA that doesn't hit you over the head with bitterness (the aftertaste is the most bitter part,) this beer is something special.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2012 04:26:14 | More by TangTKE402

spicelab

Australia

4.5/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bomber with huge thanks to BdubleEdubleRUN. Shared with mulder1010 and MrKennedy. Reviewed from scrappy notes.

Bright apricot, clear as, with a white head of about a finger. Okay retention.

Floral potpourri, tangerine, tan bark, massively tangy grass and tangerine. The oak chips give a distinct lifted roundness. Amazing.

Cumquat, rotting mangoes, orange crush behind bucketloads of that virtually indescribable sharp, savoury, vegetal, nutty oakiness.

Big-time chewy body. Medium carbonation with no hint of booze. Deceptively high but unobtrusive bitterness with good length.

Crazy stuff. At times the bracing oak chip character verged on overwhelming, but mostly I loved it.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2012 05:27:11 | More by spicelab