Longshot Friar Hop Ale
Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)

Longshot Friar Hop AleLongshot Friar Hop Ale
Beer Geek Stats | Print Shelf Talker
From:
Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)
 
Massachusetts, United States
Style:
Belgian IPA
ABV:
9%
Score:
82
Avg:
3.61 | pDev: 12.47%
Reviews:
185
Ratings:
240
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Mar 18, 2017
Added:
Mar 17, 2011
Wants:
  1
Gots:
  3
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by prototypic:
Photo of prototypic
Reviewed by prototypic from Ohio

3.46/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Friar Hop Ale is copper in color. It’s crystal clear. Light gives it a nice reddish-orange tint. A soft, off-white head covers it and rises to about a finger and a half in depth. It recedes to a surface covering quickly, and holds there for a bit. An attractive, thick web of lace lines the glass.

The nose is okay, but is quite light on aromatics. More strength would probably bolster its performance easily. Caramel malt hits first. Smells pretty sweet. Light spicy phenols are noted. A little pepper, maybe some clove. Belgian yeast is subtle. Too subtle. More would be much better. Alcohol is easily noted and smells a tad strong. Eh. It’s rather average, especially given the style.

The flavor is a little better. Caramel malt is noted first. It’s sweet and a little sugary. Belgian yeast is more notable here, but isn’t as strong as it should be. It certainly imparts spicy phenols. Pepper and clove add some depth and work well. Light citrus hop notes emerge. They’re mostly orange flavored. They add a touch of bitterness and character. It’s all working well, but then a rush of boozy, warm alcohol rushes in and throws it off balance on the tail. That’s where it ends. Not a fan of the finish.

Friar Hop Ale has a medium body that’s pretty smooth and well done. Carbonation is dialed in nicely. Its feel is easily one of its strongest points.

Overall, Friar Hop Ale is pretty good. It’s a bit mediocre in the sense that finish puts a damper on the flavor score. The alcohol is too boozy and warm. Otherwise, the flavor’s pretty good. I wouldn’t mind more Belgian yeast, but I like the hop presence quite a bit. I’m honestly not sure that I’d call this a Belgian IPA. It’s more like a lightly hopped Tripel. In any event, it’s worth checking out.
May 22, 2011
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.25 by harpus from Alabama

Mar 18, 2017
Photo of rodbeermunch
Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada

3.64/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Amber color, solid 1/3" head on it, average retention, attractive. Aroma wasn't over the top belgian spice rack, SA usually understands and gets this right for their audience. A noticeable yet not west coast amount of hops.

The taste hid the alcohol quite well, hopping still there, a tiny spice rack intrusion, a little bit of orange rind. This was better than expected but neither mindblowing.
Mar 02, 2016
 
Rated: 3.59 by DucksFan16 from Tennessee

Oct 31, 2015
 
Rated: 3.75 by DrBier from Pennsylvania

Feb 08, 2015
 
Rated: 3 by Techichi from Texas

Nov 18, 2014
 
Rated: 3.12 by shoegueuze from California

Sep 17, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Jovian00 from Ohio

Aug 02, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by pathman from Ohio

Jul 13, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by spikechiquet from Ohio

Jun 07, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by lancecenter from Texas

May 19, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by lucasj82 from Indiana

May 15, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by Bill235 from Ohio

May 09, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by Kelp from New Hampshire

Apr 23, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by sendbeer from Georgia

Dec 14, 2012
 
Rated: 3.5 by bzach from Indiana

Oct 16, 2012
 
Rated: 3.75 by t0rin0 from California

Aug 26, 2012
Photo of diddly
Reviewed by diddly from New York

3.94/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
The date on the beer was September 2011, so I'm a bit past the date, but it somehow got shoved in the back of the fridge and I figured it was worth a shot. Poured into a tulip glass and was pleasantly surprised how fresh it still seemed.

Aroma is not too strong, with a slight slight fruitiness. Definite Belgianness comes through.

Appearance is a dark gold with an off-white, fairly thin head.

Taste is surprisingly good, and I'm usually not into Belgians overall, and specifically not Belgian IPA's. Nice use of spice and hops to gain some balance, while retaining the overall style.

Mouthfeel is well-carbonated, but perhaps a little light.

Overall, I was surprised how much I enjoyed this beer, and imagine it may have been even better last summer.
Aug 08, 2012
 
Rated: 2.5 by kobeer from Texas

Jul 30, 2012
 
Rated: 3.75 by bozodogbreath from Indiana

Jul 19, 2012
Longshot Friar Hop Ale from Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)
Beer rating: 82 out of 100 with 240 ratings