Hop Devil Ale - Victory Brewing Company

Immortale25

Florida

4.2/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Poured into a Due South Brewing Co. snifter. Bottleneck says Enjoy By Jul 19 2013.

A- Pours a dark amber color with a 1/4 inch off-white head that retains a bit before becoming a thin ring around the edge of the glass and small specs of surface foam. Semi-resilient lacing slides down the glass leaving a jagged ring behind.

S- Zesty, semi-citrusy hop aroma with a sturdy malt backbone. Somewhat sweet-smelling.

T- Moderate bitterness with some grass and pine notes. The substantial amount of malt is unusual for an IPA and very welcome since it provides a nice balance as well as some biscuity tones.

M- Pretty sharp from the hops with medium carbonation and a fullish body.

O- A quintessential east coast IPA. One that's just as enjoyable now as it was many years ago when I first had it.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2013 05:25:01 | More by Immortale25

devlishdamsel

Washington

4.23/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is a keeper. I usually find myself not returning to Ipa's with the "piney" bitter aftertaste. This one is an exception. Poured into a teku, this has seriously awesome creamy head for an ipa and it retains well. Most ipa's have head which dissipates, but not this beer. The color is deep amber, almost red, full of dancing bubbles. The scent at first is piney and spicy but halfway through mellows out and a deep jasmine scent dominates. Quite lovely really. Perfect carbonation: not too much, not too little. A mellow yet spicy and resin like taste which rounds out to slight bitterness lingering on the back of the tongue, maybe a bit grapefruit like? A bit of hotness I suppose, but this is probably just accentuated by the bitterness! This is like drinking a juicy hop!, and an extremely drinkable one at that! I cannot wait to try this on tap!

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2013 02:11:14 | More by devlishdamsel

parejkoj

Minnesota

4.23/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Crystal clear deep amber, solid thick head that fades after about 5 minutes with a little lingering on the beer surface. Beautiful.

Smell: Very floral, almost reminds me of a quick whiff of rose with some lemony citrus to balance. Very nice. A little bit of malty sweetness.

Taste: Well balanced bitterness and malt profile. Grapefruit and citrus flavors up front. A little bit of pine or resin notes. A touch herbal. Noticeable alcohol. Very tasty.

Mouthfeel: Smooth, although as mentioned above, noticeable alcohol.

Overall: Very good. No upfront flaws apparent outright. Really enjoyable, it would be easy to drink a few of these. A well balanced IPA, which isn't always easy to find. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2013 00:07:41 | More by parejkoj

utopiajane

New York

3.46/5  rDev -15.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5

Poured a clear and vivid orange with a decent head that fell down reluctantly. Chunky lacing. Bright hops nose with lots of slick pine and sweet citrus. No malt to speak of on the nose. On the palate it’s got medium body and good carbonation. It’s bedeviled with hops but lacking in balance without a bigger malt character to back it up. Goes down oily with a good bitter aftertaste. A very plucky ale. Easy to drink and a clean, long finish.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2013 14:52:52 | More by utopiajane

apants007

New York

3.74/5  rDev -9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

cold bottle to pint glass-

pours golden brown with a nice foamy white small bubble head that leaves nice lacing going down the glass.

has a nice bitter citrus aroma.

has dry grapefruit as the dominant flavor... nice well rounded bitterness with just enough sweetness to keep the funk in check.

coats the tongue nice and slow and has a pleasant lingering aftertaste.

grabbed this guy on accident... I had always been turned off by the label! I was pleasantly surprised . I will most likely drink this again soon. on purpose next time even!

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2013 02:46:36 | More by apants007

olivianjeremie

Quebec (Canada)

4.18/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

This beer had a great hoppy flavour, but not too hoppy. It had a great golden brown color, like an ale. It had good mouth feel and a good smell. It had a pleasent aftertaste. If you like a hoppy beer, this could be your beer. Enjoyed this beer on tap in Rochester

Serving type: on-tap

06-02-2013 13:15:13 | More by olivianjeremie

JamesMN

Minnesota

3.66/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

Bottled on/enjoy by date mostly scratched off but the year 2013 was visible.

Appearance: Deep amber with good clarity and a frothy off-white head.

Aroma: Some licorice, brown sugar, and subtle pine. Not super aromatic.

Taste: A solid but manageable amount of hop bitterness upfront with a good piney and almost citrusy flavor. The malt brings a nice balance without adding too much sweetness or unnecessary complexity. Smooth finish and lingering bitterness with a caramel malt flavor.

Mouthfeel: Medium in body and velvety smooth. Good drinkability.

Final Thoughts: Though I suspect that this bottle of HopDevil Ale is a little old, the flavor has stood the test of time. The hops and malt work together and strike a great balance. The bitterness has become mellow in a way that suits the beer well. Would I drink it again? Yes.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2013 04:22:25 | More by JamesMN

mastodonj

Colorado

4.11/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

It's one of the darkest IPAs I've seen. Very clear but little head or lacing; wonder if it's just my particular bottle...

The aroma is not real inspiring. Malty? Definitely not a west coast or Rocky mountain IPA. :-).

Flavor is full bodied and spicy, tasting like a much higher ABV beer.

Mouth feel is great. Tingles all the right places.

Overall, it's a very good ale. I'm partial to more floral and citrus hoppiness but this is a beer that is worth seeking out.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2013 00:01:48 | More by mastodonj

WestCoastFan

California

2.86/5  rDev -30.4%
look: 4 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3

Maybe I've been spoiled by the IPA's in San Diego. It may also be a West Coast / East Coast thing but this just has too much malt for me. When I see something called "HopDevil" I expected a hop-bomb with no concern for balance. Like I said, it may be a WC/EC thing but it makes me tap my heals and chant: "There's No Place Like Home, There's No Place Like Home".

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2013 19:43:39 | More by WestCoastFan

Bowers-Brew

Illinois

4.39/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Nice dark red color and creamy white head. ~2 inches of foam when poured aggressively.

S - Nice hop aroma - all the right notes of citrus, pine, and spices.

T - Nice hop flavor at first, malty middle, and smooth finish - not overly bitter or sweet.

O - Sad to admit that this may be my first taste of Victory. I will definitely hunt out more of their beers after trying this one. Whole flower hops done right.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2013 00:14:34 | More by Bowers-Brew

silverking

Florida

4.1/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

A- Hazy amber with a rocky light tan head. head retention is excellent and there are well defined rings of lacing.

S- Floral, spicy, and piney hops. there is a strong undertone of caramel.

T- Pine, and lots of it. It slowly fades into a caramelized/burnt sugar taste. The finish isn't overbearingly bitter, but you notice it.

M- Medium bodied, but surprisingly crisp. Carbonation is moderate and slightly prickly.

O- Very good.

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2013 19:25:20 | More by silverking

Phelps

Arizona

3.8/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottle into a shaker pint at World of Beer - SMU.

Like a brand spanking new penny. Bright copper, perfect clarity. One finger of white froth sticks to the glass in teeth-shaped streaks.

Slightly funky, spicy citrus. Grapefruit peel, caramel.

Same deal in the flavor, but more pronounced. Like an HD version of the nose. Bright, clear grapefruit, a bit of caramel and biscuit to back it up. Lingering bitter spice.

Medium body, high pinching carbonation is almost painful. Clean.

Nothing special, nothing bad. A big, brash American IPA.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2013 19:09:12 | More by Phelps

dancaplette

Massachusetts

4.34/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

bottle poured into a pint glass. I would call it not so much copper but a light bronze

it smelled of hops, but with a sourdough bready aroma, with a slight aroma of pine needles coming in late. and a sweetness from the malts as the beer reached more towards room temperature.

you can taste the bitterness in your first sip, but then it disapates and comes back again as you swirl it in your mouth. you get a yeast full bready taste, also a slight sweetness from the malt

m- it has a rich full bodied feel with slight carbonation, you can definitely sense a high abv, but, not overpowering. wouldn't kick this beer out of the fridge, can drink it everyday.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2013 21:51:46 | More by dancaplette

SebD

Ontario (Canada)

3.79/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Appearance: It has a nice deep hazy orange color to it. It has a nice off-white head that dies down slowly and leaves some lacing.

Smell: The aromas definitely give out hints of citrus, floral hops, some pine, sweet bready malts and some caramel.

Taste: Like the aromas, it has some citrus, floral notes, a bit of pine and sweet bready/caramelly malts to balance it out.

Mouthfeel: It has a low/medium carbonation with a nice overall balance and feel.

Drinkability: It's a very smooth drinkable beer accompanied with good flavors and aromas.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2013 21:36:19 | More by SebD

MarkQ617

Massachusetts

4.65/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had this poured into a pint glass. Awesome beer to have in the Spring or Fall months, but really any time of year. Super crisp, outstanding flavor of hops and citrus (especially big on the hops as the name would lead you to believe). Really nice copper color with a whitish foam head. Just enough boozy flavor to let you know it's there without getting into the range of an imperial or anyhting like that. One of the best offerings I've had from Victory, very nice beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2013 17:02:42 | More by MarkQ617

Alextricity

Michigan

4.2/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

*March 23rd review from RateBeer*

First off, this bottle says best by March 18th 2013, so it’s about a week past its prime.

Appearance: Pretty clear beer with some small particles floating around. Two fingers worth of head that stays at about one through the glass. Very nice lacing.

Aroma: The aroma is of spice and malt with hops there, but definitely in the background and more subtle (I presume because of the age of this beer).

Taste: The taste is... interesting. Truth be told, it tastes like V8 juice to me as far as the "spice" is concerned, but without any vegetable notes (thank God). Sweet through the front of each sip, with a slightly bitter, spicy finish. Really, I get a LOT of peppery notes in HopDevil, and I don’t mind. The mouthfeel is smooth, and a slight coating is left in the mouth on each sip.

HopDevil’s a very good beer, and this one’s not even fresh. I would try this again out of a fresher bottle.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2013 00:58:29 | More by Alextricity

dar482

New York

4.41/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

The color is a dark amber red.

If you can get this nitro, please do. The head is fluffy pillowy white.

The aroma has a pine bigness, sweetness from malt.

It starts off with mild to strong on fruits and sweet flavors. The hops finish nicely, but leaves a bit of a bitter aftertaste. There is a big pine and red grapefruit flavor because of the crystal malt gentle sweetneess.

The mouth feel is so smooth and low on carbonation. The nitro really makes this beer roll around the mouth well.

This is almost a mix of an amber ale and IPA.

One of the better IPAs I had have.

Serving type: nitro-tap

05-20-2013 06:55:38 | More by dar482

Roman5150

Michigan

4.34/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottl into snifter

Appearance: dark amber/mahogany, thick white head

Smell: you can smell the bitterness, earthy floral hops, minor fruity notes, pineapple and citrus

Taste: very smooth, less bitter than the nose and name would imply. Extremely well balanced, very resinous earthy hay undertones with a sharp citrus backbone. Alcohol and malt are pretty well disguised by hops. One of the more balanced ipas ive had.

Mouthfeel: not much carbonation

Overall: a very well balanced ipa with loads of hops but not super bitter like i expected. Truy an amazing beer, will be buying again. Highly drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 01:20:42 | More by Roman5150

DenverHopHead

Colorado

4.44/5  rDev +8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Yes sir! Victory is so underrated...at least out here in the Western part of the country. First Storm King surprised me and now the Hop Devil! This beast looks a lot like Hop Rod Rye from Bear Republic...a dark rye, amber looking brew. The nose is decent, nothing spectacular. Now, this tastes like a perfect late Fall IPA! I'm thinking a Hop Devil or 2 at Halloween would be perfect in Denver! Bravo, an East Coast IPA challenging the West, good stuff!

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 21:05:38 | More by DenverHopHead

Vox

Florida

3.65/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

A: lovely coppery red. Off white head with nice retention. Lacing leaves a great sponge patterned lacing.

S: stale, bread, slightly skunky with a hint of pine, honey and floral undertones.

T: Wonderful hop bitterness quickly followed by pine and finished with a bread floral aftertaste.

M: smooth, nicely carbonated.

O: Enjoyable IPA.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 02:25:48 | More by Vox

RonaldTheriot

Louisiana

4.64/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Victory Hop Devil IPA has a thick, spongy, khaki head, a semi-clear, orange appearance, a few streaming bubbles, and a good amount of sporadic lacing left behind. The aroma is of hop oil, flowers, some pine, and sweet, white bread. Taste is of all those, plus citrus rind, sugar, citrus juice of some sort, hearty (but, not harsh) bitterness, and no alcohol. Mouthfeel is medium, soft, and oily, and Victory Hop Devil IPA finishes mostly dry, refreshing, sweet, and quite drinkable. This is a super IPA, and I say it's one not to miss.

RJT

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2013 17:29:45 | More by RonaldTheriot

damndirtyape

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

On tap at Rosewood Grill, Hudson, OH. Served in a Shaker Pint Glass.

Appearance: Slightly hazy copper. Plenty of thick sheets of lacing and lots of persistent strands. Thin foam across the top (off white, slightly orangish) that lasted the whole way down the glass.

Smell: Herbal, slightly cheesy smell, odd, but this went away as it warmed up and the beer approaches room temp. At that point, the smell moves over to floral and citrus.

Taste: Very hoppy through and through. Bitter up front taste, moving into buttery caramel malt sweetness middle, and then more of a bitter finish. Bitterness had aspects of pine and grapefruit.

Mouthfeel: Nicely thick, good carbonation to counter it. Hop oils sticking to the teeth.

Overall / Drinkability: A good AIPA, but not a great one. The aroma makes wonder if this one had been in the keg a bit too long (it had been awhile since they changed out the keg). By itself nice, but not wow. Went well with food (walleye) and okay drinkability, but without food, I think I would have stopped at one.

Serving type: on-tap

05-03-2013 01:49:51 | More by damndirtyape

trxxpaxxs

New York

3.73/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

A: Pours a wonderful translucent orange/red with one full finger of off-white head. The foam take a bit to settle, leaving massive lacing along the glass and a nice bubble cake on the top of the beer.

S: The nose is a mix of malt and pine hops. I think this beer might be a bit old. I'm getting a touch of grass and dirt in here as well.

T: It starts out sweet and malty with a bit of pine hops coming on a second or so later. As the beer moves into the middle I get butter, and dirt. This beer is definitely old. Too bad.

M: Medium bodied beer. It has some heft, it's coats the palate, and it lingers for awhile after the beer is gone.

O: I wish this beer wasn't an old bottle. I have had this beer many times in the past and my rating will not do it justice in the long run. It's a solid IPA with big hoppy feels ans a rounded out malt bill. An east coast IPA standard.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2013 20:21:12 | More by trxxpaxxs

u2carew

Massachusetts

4.45/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz longneck

A) Pours with a two finger head that is off white in color. Slowly settles to a big bubble lacing at the edge of the glass. A clear bronze body.
S) Pleasant, sweet floral aroma. Hints of caramel and butterscotch.
T) Bold hop bite from the beginning lasting to the finish. A well balanced mix of hops and malts. Peppery. Hints of spruce. Mellow caramel notes.
M) medium body. Clean. Crisp. Mellow hop tannins in the finish.
O) A delicious IPA.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2013 00:11:30 | More by u2carew

JG-90

New Jersey

4.15/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25

Bottle poured into glass give a large fluffy/bubbly head that is slightly off-white in color. The beer is a dull orange-brown color and is very hazy. Head slowly recedes to leave a small film on top with moderate-heavy lacing.

The smell is not very strong and has light and sweet malts, bread, and floral hops. Taste is similar to the nose but with a large addition of spicy hops. Starts with malt and white bread, then floral hops, followed by a rush of spicyness. Ends with spice and grapefruit. Very crisp finish. Mouthfeel is medium body and medium carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2013 22:23:41 | More by JG-90