Hop Wallop - Victory Brewing Company

aorloski

Massachusetts

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

Appearance - Pours a quintessential DIPA golden orange, nice hop haze with about a finger worth of white head that disappears pretty quickly

Smell - Pine, juicy tropical fruits, malty breadiness.

Taste - What do you expect here, its a very nice DIPA. Nice bitterness from the hops right up front, a very "victory" tasting hop profile. Nice notes of peaches, passionfruit, grapefruit, lemon zest, oranges all wrapped up in a nice pine note and backed by a nice maltiness. Delicious from the tap.

Mouthfeel - Sticky and nicely carbonated

Overall - If you can get this fresh in a growler you'll be blown away, I've had it in bottles and it is less than half the beer it is fresh. Love this beer for tailgating flyers games.

Serving type: growler

01-14-2012 02:34:17 | More by aorloski

brewpig

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

i have filled several growlers of this over the last couple weeks and am finally getting around to reviewing...

smell is a citrus lemony hoppy bouquet...mouthfeel is beeee u tiful and smooth.

taste...grapefuit and hops, lemon and honey w/a small alchohol burn and thennn mega-hops.

because i work 1 mile from victory brewing, making this my 'go to' beer was easy as breathing...1/2 a growler and a couple hits is all that's needed for a NICE evening.

Serving type: growler

11-02-2011 20:04:08 | More by brewpig

doopydoogle

Tennessee

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

A - Bright, slightly cloudy golden amber with a slight orange hint. A good foamy head that leaves a nice sticky lace.

32 oz. growler poured into a snifter:

S - Shimmering pine, citrus, orange zest, starfruit, grape soda, resinous malts, wafts of alcohol, grass, seawater, and spicy, almost pepper like. Wonderful and very clean!

T - Surprisingly spicy, with a good malt that lingers behind the rest. There is a very prominent bitterness that teeters between lemony citrus and piney resin. The finish is crisp and dry with a sweet caramel and toffee flavor. An almost fruity quality, like apples or pears, is also present, complemented by the clean hop character.

M - Great carbonation, clearly high in alcohol but not too sticky, and a really great dry mouthfeel from start to finish.

O - A really crisp and clean ale for such a high ABV. Very pleasant, almost akin to an imperial pilsner. Highly recommended!

Serving type: growler

09-14-2011 01:50:54 | More by doopydoogle

Marty30

Pennsylvania

4.28/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Growler filled at the brewery poured into a pint glass.

A. Very clear filtered golden yellow with carbonation streaming off the bottom of the glass. Decent white rocky two finger head,sticky two finger head.

S. Citris hopps, lots of grapefruit and pine some passion fruit such as mango.

T. Same as the smell lots of citris hops and pine and passion fruit but nice malt balence. I had a bottle before must have been old,nothing like this,this is awesome one of the best tasting DIPA'sI've had to date. So fresh! Props to Victory!!!!

M. Medium mouthfeel bitter up front some malts balence the middle of the pallet nice and dry at the end.

D. Well let me say At 8.5% you cant detect no alchohol i"ve had four glasses.I could drink this all day!Wish I lived closer to the brewery! GET THIS!!!

Serving type: growler

01-18-2011 02:23:32 | More by Marty30

cdizinno

South Carolina

4.33/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Presentation: Poured into a tulip glass from a growler purchased at Green's - Piney Grove in Columbia, SC.

A: A healthy white head leaves think rings of lace down the glass. Slightly hazy gold color.

S: Mild citrus and floral hops. Not as aromatic as other reviews, but I may have messed myself up by drinking a spicy Belgian just before this.

T&M: Solid medium body. Mild malty sweetness all the way through, but hops always prevail. Piney and citrus flavors are there but nothing special about the taste. The huge plus is the masking of the 8.5% ABV. Careful drinking up!

Kind of disappointing, but much better than a single bottle I purchased at Total Wine & More that had to be way out of date. It is definitely worth the cost for a DIPA ($9.99/growler!), but after tasting unique DIPA's like GUBNA, Lenny's R.I.P.A., and Boy King Double, this falls way short.

Serving type: growler

05-29-2010 20:58:37 | More by cdizinno

garuda

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a snifter gets about a finger of white head with little retention. Surprisingly, however, there is some decent lacing down the glass. Color is a nice looking, clear amber/ orange.

S - Not a very strong aroma. Some sweet malts come through, along with some citric hops and a little alcohol toward the back end of the palate.

T - Quick hit of sweet malts, then some heavy citric hops overwhelm the palate, mostly with grapefruit tastes. More sweet/ honey flavored malts get stronger about mid palate.

M - Medium to full bodied, lower in carbonation. Makes a good mouthfeel for me for a DIPA. Prickly across the tongue from the hops, dry finish from the alcohol, but still a bit sticky.

D - Based on the taste and the hops, I could drink the whole growler no problem. The abv, however, kind of limits that.

Serving type: growler

03-04-2010 00:26:37 | More by garuda

zoso1967

Michigan

4.65/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a pale golden color with a bright white frothy head and ridiculous lacing. Nose is heavy on grapefruit with some pine and malt sweetness, bit really the intense grapefruit citrus smells dominate. The taste is once again dominated by huge ruby red grapefruity hop flavor that plays well with the malt sweetness of this 8.5 ABV double. The malt is very carmely and holds up well against a substantial bitterness. Other flavors include pine, pepper and dank herbal notes. On the heavier side of medium bodied with a finish that is both sticky from the sugar, yet dry from the hops. The mouthfeel is not this beers best point, but it is not a detriment either. Drinkability is fairly good for a beer of this size, and for a grapefruity hop lover like me it is all too drinkable. One of my all time favorites and a great, and somewhat different (German malts) take on a style that is everywhere. I had a half barrel of this beer at my wedding. The crazy thing is, as great as this is, it's even better on cask.

Serving type: growler

02-25-2010 01:31:32 | More by zoso1967

jzeilinger

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a growler into a tulip, large, foamy two fingered white head, medium amount of carbonation, is a nice bright gold color, looks very crisp and very clear.

The aroma is a hop heads dream with maximum amounts of citrus in the nose followed with some floral, a little pine hint, and some spicy notes. The taste...ahhh...pucker up! Maximum hop flavoring with relatively few malts to bring the hops into check, the malts here are way off in the distance on the palate to almost non-existant, they are running away in terror from the massive IBU's. The taste starts out as a grapefruit overload, then morphs into a bit of faint spiciness, and finishes semi-dry, massively bitter, and with huge lingering citrus. As I work through the glass, the rich, foamy head sticks to the sides of the tulip glass.

This a medium bodied beer, exhibits medium amounts of prickliness on the tongue. This is far and away one of the most lopsided, unbalanced, and obnoxious beers I've ever had... which is probably why it's one of my favorites!! I really love this brew and it's not for the faint of heart.

Serving type: growler

12-30-2009 00:55:20 | More by jzeilinger

LilBeerDoctor

New York

3.63/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Growler from Bellport Beer & Soda. Pours a clear light orange with hardly any head. Aroma of hop oils, citrus, and tropical fruits. Flavor is quite hoppy and bitter with lots of citrus mostly and less tropical fruits. Pretty tasty although definitely on the bitter side.
8/4/7/4/14 (3.7/5)

Serving type: growler

04-30-2009 02:12:24 | More by LilBeerDoctor

LennyV

New York

4.72/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Growler purchased at halftime. Pours a light copper into my nostradamus glass nice 2 finger head with some lacing.

Smells of sweetness and some malt with and a small amount of hops.

The taste is exceptionally balanced beginning with sweetness and ending with bitterness. Really smooth taste.

It is ncely carbonated and medium bodied.

I could enjoyb these all night but at 8.5 % abv with is masked so well, it would not make for a good session beer.

Serving type: growler

04-25-2009 03:12:09 | More by LennyV

beertunes

Washington

4.35/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into 12oz glass. Poured a semi-cloudy honey-orange color with minimal head and no lacing. Nice citrusy hop aroma. The flavor follows the lead of the aroma but with a more noticeable hop presence. A pleasing spicy hop tang on the finish. A full, balanced (for an IPA) body. Smoothly drinkable, this is an IPA that satisfies your hop craving without killing your tongue. A wonderful beer from a great brewery.

Serving type: growler

02-16-2009 13:29:57 | More by beertunes

Biscuit033

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured a very clear, dark golden with very thick head and had plenty of lacing.

S: Very hoppy, smells of pine, juicy grapefruit, sweet oranges, and flowers with the grapefruit being quite dominant as I keep going back to it.

T: Grapefruit hits you immediately, you can feel the malts more than taste them but keeps the hops very balanced. I am surprised the alcohol is so nicely woven into the flavor.

M: There is a hoppy stickiness but there is a sweetness that keeps the tartness from overpowering. The carbination is on target. Not much alcohol feel for the strength.

D: You can feel the warmth building. Something that is very drinkable but warns you to slow down.

Serving type: growler

11-05-2007 01:11:37 | More by Biscuit033

baldmasterflex

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Picked up just after thanksgiving from the brewery in one of their growlers (conveniently located just 15 minutes from where i reside).
Upon first pour i was disappointed, not from its appearance, but because i could have sworn i was served victory's pilsner or golden monkey due to its clear golden-orange-amber color. I was expecting a deep amber red. But, after getting a whif, there was no mistaking its identity. Smells like a mellowed grapefruit aroma. It has about a half inch head rising from a very slow pour. Its taste possesses that same mellow grapefruit-hoppy flavor that the smell does but with some citrus mixed in.
The body and drinkability are so uncharacteristic of other beers Ive had of this style (Stoudts DIPA). It is very light and finely carbonated, just like the prima pils i almost mistook it foor. If any DIPA could be a session beer, id say it would be Hop Wallop (if any 8.5% abv beer could be a session beer).
Although im not necessarily crazy about the style, Id definitly recommend this over and over again to someone who wants something with more of a kick when it comes to flavor.

Serving type: growler

11-26-2005 05:21:54 | More by baldmasterflex

BurgeoningBrewhead

Pennsylvania

3.95/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Poured into snifter. Clear golden orange with a thick fluffy white head. I can smell it already as I pour it; getting some wafts of alcohol and something like wine almost. In the glass it smells a lot more yeasty than I was expecting, with piney hops in the background. Taste is the same, I'd almost think it had Belgian yeast involved somewhere. I think that confusing flavor may be coming from the combination of incredibly bitter hops and less malt presence. Smooth and yeasty?, with hops coming in and finishing very bitter. I appreciate how complex this DIPA is. It's a nice turn from the usual (malt)HOPSHOPSHOPS. Mouthfeel is a little thicker and...fluffier? than expected as well.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2013 00:49:16 | More by BurgeoningBrewhead

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

kojevergas

California

3.34/5  rDev -18.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

1 pint 6 fl oz brown glass bottle with fun label art and blue branded standard pressure cap acquired at the Cap N Cork liquor in Los Feliz for a scant $3.99 USD and served into a conical Samuel Smith's pint glass in me gaff in low altitude Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California. Acquired earlier tonight. Expectations are through the roof given its current ratings; Victory is growing on me as well. No visible bottled on or best before date.

Served cold, straight from the fridge. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

A: Appears extremely overcarbonated, pouring an eight finger head. White in colour. Good thickness, nice froth and cream. Excellent (~8+ minute) retention for the high ABV. Body colour is a clear translucent yellow; looks more like a pilsner than an IPA. No yeast particles are visible. No bubble show. Pretty appealing for the style, but far from ideal. I'm excited to try it.

Sm: Pale malts. Grassy malts. Some graininess. Floral hop character is shockingly restrained. It smells like a hoppy pilsner, to be honest. No bold hop character here. No yeast character nor any alcohol is detectable. Clean, crisp, fresh, and appealing. Not the aroma I'm used to for the style, but I'm intrigued. Mild in strength. Some straw. Lemon zest. Lemon grass. Surprisingly lemony for an IPA.

T: Prominent floral hop character suits the simple clean pale malt foundation nicely. Lemon grass and lemon zest surface. Pleasant and approachable, if simple. Some straw notes. Crystal malt. Grassy malts. The hop character isn't particularly deep or diverse, but the balance is lovely. It flirts with hop bitterness but none ever really surfaces. A tasty IPA, if a strangely built one. I do like it, but it's not what I expected.

Mf: Smooth and wet. Overcarbonated. Good thickness. Nice body. Suits the flavour profile pretty well. Pretty good presence on the palate. No overt flaws. Quite light on the palate considering the style and ABV.

Dr: A rather drinkable IPA from Victory that hides its ABV impressively well. I'd have it again. Well worth trying, and priced extremely well for its quality. Victory is rising fast in my estimation of quality. Quite tasty stuff. Not a conformist IPA; it does its own thing and I respect that. I'd recommend it to friends. Well worth revisiting.

B-

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 04:01:11 | More by kojevergas

tone77

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a brown 12 oz. bottle. Has a deep golden color with a 1 inch head. Smell is dominated by hops, not much else. Taste is bitter, hoppy, piney, a bit minty, some malts are present to balance it out. alcohol is well hidden. Feels medium bodied in the mouth and overall is a pretty good beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 16:27:23 | More by tone77

DenverHopHead

Colorado

4.5/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Ok Victory, I'm all in! First Storm King completely caught me off guard, then Hop Devil really caught me by surprise. Hop Wallop, though the label and back story are cheesy, is the best brew out of the three. Gorgeous thick head with solid lacing, grab your attention smell, easy to drink and smooth, and the hops dance along the palate. Fantastic!

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 02:33:58 | More by DenverHopHead

trxxpaxxs

New York

4.39/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

A: Pours a slightly cloudy gold with one anf a half full fingers of pure white head. The foam fades quickly and leasing a thin ring along the edges of the glass.

S: The nose is candy cigarettes, bubblegum, mild spice, and light lemon. I get a touch of alcohol, but nothing too overwhelming.

T: The flavors in the beer start out sweet with that bubblegum and candy cigarette taste. As it move to the middle I get some spice and a good helping of citrus hops. The hops never dominate, but sit well on the palate. The finish is more chalk and sweetness with some spice.

M: Medium bodied beer. It's sweet to start with vibrant flavors. It gets spicy in the middle. In the finish it's sweet spicy and drying.

O: This is a really nice beer. I haven't had this beer in quite some time, but I'm into it. It gets better as it warms and the bubblegum and candy cigarettes are wonderful in this beer. I'd buy this again if I were in the mood for it. Solid brew.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2013 21:31:10 | More by trxxpaxxs

cyclonece09

Virginia

3.95/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle into a 14 oz "pint" glass. Pours a cloudy orange with a very small white head. Smells of floral hops, not overly strong. Tastes of nice piney hoppy goodness with a grain aftertaste and a tad of alcohol. Beer went down well, good medium body, good carbonation. Overall a very good beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 22:29:58 | More by cyclonece09

LI_PO12

Pennsylvania

4.14/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Bottle into Tulip with an enjoy by oct 2013 on the bottle.

Appearance- Deep gold, slightly hazy, big white head that fell fast, some good lacing sticking on the glass.

Aroma- Very interesting Hops that fly out of the glass. Pine, spicy herbal, candied fruit, Lime, citrus, slight pineapple. Sweet malt in the background. alcohol shows up as it warms.

Flavor-A lot of resiny pine, some vanilla, orange, strong bitterness throughout, but malt sweetness that keeps it in balance present. warming alcohol.

Mouthfeel- Medium-heavy bodied moderate Carbonation, alcohol present, smooth

Overall- Very Tasty, I have returned to this a few times and never feel let down. Its not the greatest Double IPA out there but its a damn good one.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 02:06:36 | More by LI_PO12

alex_hart

Massachusetts

4.24/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25

Appearance: A hazy, golden color with a a 1 1/2 finger head that quickly dissipates to a white film across the top with great lacing down the sides throughout.

Smell: The hops in this are so ridiculously sweet its incredible. Citrus and somethin funky as well.

Taste: This is fantastic. I was expecting wayyy more bitterness than what came across. Still some mild bitterness, but the sweetness and tangyness of the hops are the complete winners in this.

Mouthfeel: My tongue is going numb from this explosion of hops! Holy crap this is awesome! One of my favorites in this category I have yet to have. Actually, it is the only one that stands out in my mind.

Overall: Just a great beer that anyone and everyone who loves hops MUST try. Now.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2013 00:11:45 | More by alex_hart

StonedTrippin

Colorado

4.03/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

I remember being blown away by this a number of years ago, like, completely floored. ive since changed my mind, as my palate has evolved, my tastes have matured, and ive had about a million big ipas. this one seems a little less complete than it used to, but it was ahead of its time, and deserves credit for that. it pours a light straw color, mostly clear, with a huge fluffy white head with good lacing and retention. the nose is really bitter, with a pine complex. the flavor is balanced by some light pale malts which give the faintest hint of sweetness, and the bitterness takes on a lovely fruity character towards the finish. the swallow is a little hot from the alcohol, which is exacerbated by the thin body. ive come to expect a little more meat on the bones of these beers, but this one is fairly thin. the carbonation is nice though, and almost makes the bitterness sting in the aftertaste. overall a little weak on body and a little more intensely alcoholic than necessary, but a delicious beer that I can credit with turning me onto the genre way back when.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2013 20:11:44 | More by StonedTrippin

SavvyStudent

Texas

4.69/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75

Overall: Victory took the hop gauge on this one, turned it to full and then ripped it all the way off. Hop Devil is a personal favorite of mine but the Hop Wallop does exactly what the name implies: knocks your hop register off the charts.

Taste: This plays right to the IBU level with the hoppy bitterness. You can pick up some citrus and slight honey in the profile

Smell: Citrus, Mango, piney and everything else you would want in a hoppy beer.

Mouthfeel: Middle of the road on both carbonation and body

Appearance: This beer pours with a slight head (1/2 a finger) and leaves minimal legs around the glass. It has a nice copper color and low clarity cloudiness.

Season: Year-Round

Serving Glass: Tulip Glass/Wine Glass/Any thing that has a nose to it

ABV: 8.5%

IBU: 90

Malt: 2 Row

Hops: Whole Flower American and English Hops

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2013 13:06:44 | More by SavvyStudent

Segelstrom

Pennsylvania

3.99/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - poured into tumbler with a nice head that was reasonably well maintained. Cloudy hazy golden beer.

S - hoppy & citricy

T - Hoppy & citricy. sure wish this site had spell check. I just went brain dead

M - just the right amount of carbonation

O - worth buying again

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2013 23:18:55 | More by Segelstrom