Hop Wallop - Victory Brewing Company

dar482

New York

3.7/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

This beer comes in a wonderful deep gold, orange color that is very hazy as you cannot see through it.

The aroma is of huge tropical fruits. Pineapple, orange, mango with a bit of a bready note. It’s very juicy. There is just a fantastic aroma on this.

The flavor does not match the aroma. It starts off with some grapefruit and then goes with some piney flavor. It just punches you with a huge hop astringent bitterness that really sticks on the front of your tongue. One of the bitterest beers I have had. The middle has a bit of maltiness to it that carries the beer along before the smack of bitterness. Then again, having this on tap months later, the bitterness wasn't not as offensive, but it just wasn't quite right to match the aroma.

The mouthfeel is medium.

In the end, I wish it had more grapefruit fruitiness to match the fruits on the nose. The bitterness overpowers the beer. It's also the hop profile that isn't really for my suiting. I prefer a dry finish that has that fresh grapefruit peel flavor. This just is slightly off in a confusing sense that isn't quite right. If it was toned down a bit, I would like it a lot more with its beautiful hazy color and maltiness.

Having had this on tap, it was surely less offensive than the bottle. Still, not quite my style.

Serving type: on-tap

05-19-2013 22:54:38 | More by dar482

BrianScottK

New York

2.89/5  rDev -29.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75

I love an IPA as much as the next guy, but personally, this is a bit much for me. "Hop Wallop" isn't just a clever name. The hops hit you hard on the tongue, and stay around 'til last call on the finish. It's all hop and little else. All in all, an average IPA by my accounts. Would have liked a bit more balance to the flavor.

Serving type: on-tap

04-06-2013 19:24:17 | More by BrianScottK

KTCamm

New Jersey

3.63/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served on tap at the Ginger Man in South Norwalk.

Pours a dirty gold, some foam, some lacing. Citrusy malt nose, not overt. Some pine too. Taste is a wallop for sure. An almost wheat taste backed by a hop hammer. Ever so slight citrus. Good but on the harsher side.

Serving type: on-tap

03-17-2013 12:38:31 | More by KTCamm

tronester

Oklahoma

3.88/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

A light golden in color, with a thin off-white head. A mild earthy and citrus aroma. Taste begins with a huge malt blast up front, followed by some resinous hops, then some citrus. Mouthfeel was super rich, but low carbonation. Overall a good DIPA, though I prefer them to typically be a bit drier than Hop Wallop is.

Serving type: on-tap

12-29-2012 23:50:22 | More by tronester

PorterLambic

Florida

4.23/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Arrives a clear, golden color with a nearly creamy white head. Good retention with a few nucleation sites on the bottom replenishing. The bubbles are moving slower than I've ever seen. How thick is this beer? Good lace.
Smell is malt, hops and spices blended nicely together. Really nicely balanced but allowing all the flavors space. A sweetness is present upon warming, probably honey.
Taste is the same, malt, piney hops a bit stronger perhaps, spices including pepper and a faint whiff of vanilla, I think.
Full bodied, drying, effervescence is sharp up front but fading to allow the piney hops to linger with a remnant of malt for quite a long time. Very nice brew and very welcome after a long day on the motorcycle.

Serving type: on-tap

10-15-2012 21:07:53 | More by PorterLambic

Oakenator

Pennsylvania

4.48/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Well balanced double IPA. Golden in color with a slight hint of amber. Smell is terrific with clear hop presence but also smells of a caramel malt. Strong flavor on the taste - lots of hops but not overpowering. Hop taste lingers but is tamed with the malts. Well done and one of my favorites here.

Serving type: on-tap

08-11-2012 22:37:54 | More by Oakenator

ThePorterSorter

New York

4.05/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Goblet full of a clear amber beer with a thin white head and little lacing. Aromas of pine and citrus break through with a menacingly well hidden ethanol. The taste is a light sweetness with a balanced, lingering hoppiness. Very excellent aftertaste for a DiPA, modest hoppiness and very drinkable. This beer will definitely hit your hop craving spot.

Serving type: on-tap

05-08-2012 18:35:52 | More by ThePorterSorter

coastiefish

Oregon

4.1/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - An interesting golden. Nice light fluffy lacing

S - I really enjoy the nose on this, a bit grainy, but great esters, a bit floral as well.

T - Taste was a bit sweet for my palate. Also syrupy, which I am not partial to in an IPA

M - Real nice body, but the syrup carries through in the mouthfeel which isn't really doing it for me.

O - I like the beer. However, it is definitely not a favorite as far as an IPA goes. Would I get it again? Sure, but not if there is a palate wrecker on the taplist.

Thanks for reading!

Serving type: on-tap

04-05-2012 23:56:18 | More by coastiefish

challenja

Virginia

4.43/5  rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On Tap at the Black Squirrel in ADMO DC.

Computer ate my review and I am late for dinner.. so here is the quick and dirty.

A: Nice lemon grass orange haze

S: Sweet hop nugget madness. Ripe Florida Orange mating with a ruby Ripe Grapefruit. Simoce/ Cascade hop profile.

T: A hoppy midwestern monster brew. Sweet Florida orange/ grapefruit/ dank bud/ lemon Popsicle. Sweet, tangy and delicious.

M: A nice well rounded mouthfeel, medium carbonation with a quick disappearing head.

O: Overal Victory's best attempt at an IPA, the Hop Devil and other one's are ehhhh.. at best. If you find this baby on tap or in a bottle get one!A good hoppy monster that would be a great addition to anyone's mixed sixer to bring to a beer lovers party. Share.

Serving type: on-tap

02-25-2012 22:12:00 | More by challenja

thedoubler55

New Jersey

3.9/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: A light see through gold color, with a slight off white head at the top, that leavs a nice lacing around the glass.

S: Citrus notes and grapefruit, a nice presence of hops and malts.

T: Roasted malts, and strong hop presence, grapefruit and pineapple.

M: A nice amount of carbonation, medium bodied.

O: A good DIPA, very surprised by Victory with this one, a great brew.

Serving type: on-tap

01-18-2012 22:45:30 | More by thedoubler55

One2Remeber

Florida

4.28/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into over sized tulip

A: Healthy, 2" inch that is extremely thick and inviting. Body is a honey yellow. Relatively clear for style, finely filtered.

S: Noble hop aroma with some sweet honey malt undertones. Hearthy, spicy, slightly fruity. Smells straight German, very fresh.

T: Noble, spicy hops up front with a creamy smooth honey taste on the back.

M: Bitter for a quick second from the hops, not so much the carbonation. Malts are light which let the hop presence shine while nothing is too dominant while still being potent.

O: Lacely film residue sticks thick after each sip, full-flavored, extremely well balanced. A nice change up, not your typical American IPA in regard to a heavy German influence. Love this beer, very sessionable even for the high alcohol strength.

Serving type: on-tap

11-12-2011 07:10:18 | More by One2Remeber

BucannonXC5

California

4.05/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a draft into a .25 L glass (I think) at Blind Lady Ale House in San Diego, Calif. Color was golden pale and somewhat clear. Very smooth look. Maybe just more than an inch of head when I got it. Light, but good-looking lacing. Film was spread out throughout.

Pretty weak smell, especially for a double IPA. Pretty plain, but eventually got lemon zest.

Grapefruit hops up front on the initial taste. Also some sweet floral hops and maybe some caramel.

Medium to light body, Average carbonation. Smooth finish. Consistent taste throughout.

Wasn’t so high on this early, but the taste and feel really made up for it. Clean, crisp and refreshing, and a good taste overall. I’d give it another try.

Serving type: on-tap

10-20-2011 02:31:42 | More by BucannonXC5

TheMultiYeast

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bright orange/yellow with a little bit of haze, big frothy head.

Smells like pungent piney hops. There's an interesting earthiness in the smell unique to this IPA...Very citrusy..Fresh cut grass mixed with pine resin and tropical fruits

The earthiness carries into the taste with a palate smackin hop bitterness and nice balance with lightly sweet malt. Big dry bitter finish

Mouthfeel is smooth and a little under-carbonated.

Overall this was a one of a kind DIPA. Definitely trying this one again.

Serving type: on-tap

10-15-2011 17:30:58 | More by TheMultiYeast

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

First had: on tap at Gullifty's, Wayne, PA

Another great choice. I'm beginning to think that Victory might be one of the most consistently good quality breweries around.

A golden yellow beer with a nice white head that typically displays good retention and lacing. Fresh hops in the nose, citrusy, and piney--a quality that distinguishes it from the Hop Devil--with a sweet biscuity malt base. Aroma follows through into the taste, with a sweet malt base generously overlaid with piney hops; lemony, with an alcohol drying finish. Light-medium body, tasty, and quite drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

09-02-2011 14:58:44 | More by Rifugium

DAllspaw

Indiana

4.4/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

on tap in pint glass.

First notice the deep orange color, very inviting and seems deeper than others in the class.

Usual hop aromsa, more of an orange presence at first blush.

Nice malt character and I definitely get a hop wallop, but not certain this is on par with others in the class, just doesn't seem to have the umph of Dreadnaught or Double Trouble, but would certainly drink again.

Serving type: on-tap

06-29-2011 20:52:45 | More by DAllspaw

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

3.98/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured on-tap and served in a pint glass, the beer is a slightly cloudy copper-gold color with a thin, long lasting, smooth white head. There is a creamy blend of aromas, with a slight dry hopping, citrus, and creamy vanilla. Flavors are smokey toasted vanilla and bittersweet toffee characteristics, with a hint of green spicy hops at the end. Very smooth and unique blend of taste. The aftertaste is a light caramel and citrus balance, and the finish is semisweet, but oh so smooth. Very decent brew!

Serving type: on-tap

06-22-2011 01:59:29 | More by GarthDanielson

pancho27

California

3.95/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On-Tap at Reagle Beagle in San Diego.
Appearance was excellent.
Smell Piny Hoppy.
Taste a little disappointed I am not sure what I was expecting, it was excellent for a double, I guess when I had it I was expecting a nice western IPA.
Mouthfeel. nice.
Drinkability. Had 1 then 2 Blind Pig's
At this point if I am gonna drink a Double I am wanna Pliny unless someone can point me in the direction of a similar Double...

Serving type: on-tap

03-13-2011 02:45:49 | More by pancho27

chriswilkes33

Texas

3.43/5  rDev -16.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Had on tap at the dig pub in cedar park, Texas

Appearance: pours hazy gold color with thin quickly dissipating white head

Aroma: pleasant hop aroma with a hint of the malt backbone

Taste: not overly bitter fairly well balanced iipa.

Mouthfeel: perhaps slightly overcarbed and a little dry but not horrible.

Overall: not a super exciting beer but not a bad one, if your looking for a super piney/citrusy type beer look to the west coast. As far as double ipa's go this is pretty middle of the road.

Serving type: on-tap

02-18-2011 01:36:21 | More by chriswilkes33

travelfrog

New York

4.03/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I tried this beer served on tap in a tulip glass at a New York City watering hole.

Appearance was excellent -- medium amber with a creamy head.

Smell was, as you would expect, dominated by hops. Very flowery and enjoyable. I even accidentally dunked my nose in the foam, much to the amusement of my neighbors.

Taste was good. Hoppy, but not quite as flavorful as the aroma might have led me to expect.

Mouthfeel was also good. It's a very hoppy beer, so I could feel the residue on the roof of my mouth.

This beer is very strong, so I had to mark it down slightly in drinkability. You definitely need to enjoy this brew slowly, but that is not necessarily a bad thing.

Serving type: on-tap

02-10-2011 00:38:24 | More by travelfrog

BucBasil

South Carolina

4.15/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served on tap at the Blue Palms BrewHouse in Hollywood.

A: A very bright golden color, clear, with a slightly offwhite head of 1.5 fingers with ok retention. Puts the "Pale" in the IPA name.

S: Strong piney character that dominates from a distance. Huge aroma coming from this one, but kind of one-note.

T: Slight biscuit malt then a big hop explosion. Very predominantly piney, but also some citrus rind notes. Sticky sap aftertaste. I feel like I might be drinking a pine tree. Dries out totally in the finish. Tastes very fresh. Excellent IPA.

D: The dryness and intensity of this beer make for a slow going sipping sort of beer. Takes some time to get used to, but very nice indeed.

Serving type: on-tap

02-07-2011 18:05:04 | More by BucBasil

JizackFH

New York

4.85/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Had this on-tap tonight at Sunswick 35/35 in Astoria, NY. Review taken from notes.

A - This beer pours a clear golden color, and it has a 2-finger pure white head on it. The head left specs of lacing behind.

S - The smells is tons of juicy citrus hops, pine, grapefruit, and it's a bit floral. This beer smells amazing.

T - This packs a big hop punch right off the bat. There is a very nice pink grapefruit taste. It has a big hop bitterness, but is balanced quite well. There is some alcohol presence, but it is hidden quite well. The finish is a lingering hop bitterness.

M - It has a medium body and moderate carbonation. The finish is sticky, bitter, and dry. The hop flavor lingers in the mouth.

D - This has awesome drinkability. Overall, I just think this is a great beer. The taste is amazing and so is the smell. I could drink this stuff all day. This is a great DIPA, and I will definitely be having it again.

Serving type: on-tap

01-30-2011 13:37:28 | More by JizackFH

cadaugherty

Illinois

4.28/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Haymarket- Served in a tulip

Appearance- Golden color with a 2 fingers of fluffy white head. Light lacing.

Aroma- Citrus burst, specifically tangerine and grapefruit.

Taste- Starts out with a big splash of citrus, then the malt comes through nicely adding a sweetness in the middle, and finally a wonderful strong bitter bite.

Mouth- Nice carbonation lift, but a little sticky in the finish.

Drink- Pretty light for being this hoppy and 8.5%.

One of my favorite DIPAs and a classic I go back to frequently. Victory makes great hoppy beers.

Serving type: on-tap

12-30-2010 04:33:45 | More by cadaugherty

bookem

Virginia

4.35/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Tried at Brews Bros. Pensacola. Served in a standard pint glass.

A- Golden amber color. One inch bellowy head. Adequate lacing down the glass.

S- Light citrus hop nose.

T- Dry, piney, bitter hop finish.

M- Light mouthfeel for a double IPA.

D- I would enjoy this beer again. Good session beer for a higher ABV beer.

Serving type: on-tap

12-06-2010 22:09:47 | More by bookem

JAXSON

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

2009 rate.

Draft. Pours a clear gold with a white head. For some reason I want this to be a darker shade of orange. Really grassy, hoppy aroma. Fresh and bright. Not much citrus presence, but a fresh, bitter hoppiness that is likened most to grass. Good.

Had this a few times since the original rate and I was more impressed, so I upped the rating. Of course freshness is a huge deal with this one.

December 2011 edit. Tried this next to Ranch S, which is a bit of a mess. I came to appreciate the dryness and balance of this. Really comes across as a handful of freshly boomed hop flowers, a harvest ale more than an imperial pale ale.

Serving type: on-tap

11-24-2010 05:01:32 | More by JAXSON

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Reviewed from notes.

Pours straw with a white head and a bit of lace. Plenty of visible carbonation. Nose is highly grassy and floral with a good amount of citrus as well. Not much backing malt. Taste is quite hoppy and bitter although I don't get much actual flavor, just the bitterness. Feel is light to medium and a bit dry. Drinks well and i'm glad they started doing this year round.

Serving type: on-tap

10-20-2010 12:16:31 | More by Thorpe429