Pursuit Of Hoppiness - Grand Teton Brewing Co.

ig88b

Missouri

4.85/5  rDev +20.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

1L of beer from a bottle.. wow.

A: pours a nice orange with a reasonable head that sticks around.
S: amazing hop smell with a bit of citrus.. amazing for a red ale. A little bit of maltiness creeping in with the hops.
T: hops up front, slight malt and spiciness in the middle, mild finish, but sticks around for a while.
M: fills the mouth right up front.. doesn't disappoint with carbonation in the back.
D: this is a sipper, but if I had to slam this. I wouldn't notice the 8%.

notes: this is my first of the grand teton cellar reserve beers and I'll certainly be back.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2009 22:58:17 | More by ig88b

slayer3604

California

4.78/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to Bruce for this pour!

A-a swath of different reds and orange hues, with a nice little two finger head...great clarity and retention.

S-Imagine having an orange, and ripping the skin off. whilst doing so, some of the spray from the rind hits your nose, thats what this brew is all about. Total citrus and a figment of pine in the nose!!!! EXCELLENT!

T-Incredibly balanced for its 8.5% accompaniment and shares its malt backbone with plenty of dry piney and grapefruity hops in the finish.

M-bold, rugged, chewey and full!

D-VERY drinkable, and the nose keeps you coming back for more.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2009 10:18:11 | More by slayer3604

TheCrowsNest

California

4.78/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Shared it at a tasting with some buddies. Poured from a capped bottle (1 pint 9.4oz) into a small snifter.

Poured a beautiful reddish brown, initial head faded into a dusting of foam that lasted until the end. The smell was great, exactly like a big red should be malty with a touch of hops.

This shines in the taste. Perfectly balanced malts that are highlighted with pops of citrus. This fades into a floral after taste that just keeps on giving.

One of the best amber/red ales I've ever had. Can't wait to get my hands on a couple of my own bottles.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2011 17:06:04 | More by TheCrowsNest

dmamiano

West Virginia

4.75/5  rDev +18.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Purchased growler on Hilton Head Island at a place called Growlers.
Poured a burnt orange with a creamy tan head and nice lacing.
This was one of the special beers....nose was amazing...hoppy goodness. Citris...malts melding together.
Taste as well amazing. Great smooth hoppiness...orange...grapefruit...nicely balanced with malts.
Not much bitterness.
This one was smoooth!

Serving type: on-tap

07-19-2011 23:30:53 | More by dmamiano

jmarsh123

Indiana

4.7/5  rDev +17.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a deep deep orange and leaves excellent lacing down the glass.

Smells of citrus/tropical fruits with some heavy caramel malt backing it up.

Taste follows the nose. Heavy caramel notes throughout. Citrus, tropical fruits and some pineapple really cut through all this malt leaving a resiny lingering finish.

Mouthfeel and carb are average for this style.

One of the better Imperial Ambers I've ever had. It reminded me a lot of Nugget Nectar. It's got a lot of caramel malt, but the hops are definitely high enough to make their presence known. Fantastic beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2011 16:30:25 | More by jmarsh123

hopfacebrew

Colorado

4.65/5  rDev +16%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Picked this up at the local liquor store after they rearranged the bomber room. Reminded me of Trout Hop Black IPA so I bought it. Very happy I did. Bottled 12/7/10.

A - The beer pours a nice red/amber/copper color with a huge 2.5 finger white head with unreal retention and lacing. Gobs of lacing.

S - A nice nose with a nice citrus, earthy, fruity aroma hop character. A bit sweetness from the malt.

T/M - The beer starts just where the nose left off. The beer starts with the fruity sweet hop character: apples, and citrus, and earthy tones. The sweet malt character comes into play in the middle with orange and tart flavors. Very smooth. Hides the alcohol so well. The beer finishes with a mild bitterness together with a mild fruity malty tone. Very good. Finishes a bit dry.

D - Yes!

Overall, this is a fantastic beer! Very happy with the purchase and plan on picking up another tomorrow if there are any left. 8.5% ABV not 8%.
Great.

Note: This review was a re-post from my former account, jmkratt, which was hacked and I lost all my reviews...sorry for the redundancy.

Serving type: bottle

Reviewed on: 03-01-2011 02:52:00

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2012 14:25:27 | More by hopfacebrew

gatorhophead

Massachusetts

4.6/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

poured from a nice looking big ass bottle into a Duvel tulip glass.

A.) Definitely bottle conditioned, as an aggressive pour produced 1" of tiny bubbles. Appearance it deep reddish orange with no sediment. Leaves a nice lacing of same tiny bubblel after the first sip

S.) Smells of orange peels, candied citrus, maybe pineapple mixed with some mangoes and a very subtle earthy pine. Definitely more sweet than bitter.

T.) Starts out with sweet malty sugars and orange peels quickly followed by a mild bitterness that balances this beer very well. Finishes with a semi-dry mix of sweet malt sugars and hop bitterness that lingers nicely

D.) I was hesitant to crack this beer for a single sitting, but I'm halfway through it and it just keeps getting better. The bottle says 09, so I'm sure the jops

I was hesitant to buy this beer at $14.00, considering I had another one of their offerings I did not like, but this beer kicks ass. I'll be looking for more to share with some friends.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2010 00:26:36 | More by gatorhophead

mentor

Colorado

4.6/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours a thin layer of light tan head over a clear copper-amber liquid. Smells oranges, pineapple, apricot, lemony pith, tropical punch, grassy, light green onion, very gentle alcohol. Very nice, but not what I expect from an American Amber (the current classification here on BA).

Tastes delicious. Fruitiness is countered by a clean lemony pith and an appearance by grassy edge. Fairly wet and dries just a touch in the end, likely due to hop bitter and alcohol contributions. Piney and a little bit of green onion mix well with a bit of pineapple-like zip. Extremely drinkable. Light in the mouth.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2011 04:06:03 | More by mentor

Brandt

Montana

4.55/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

this beer pours out a copper ruby color with an off white head of one to two fingers

the smell hits you long before you get your nose in the glass but when you do you get strong citrusy hop aromas and some caramel notes and a more pungent spicy hop character too

the taste is very bitter on the back of the tongue while being pleasently sweet in the rest of the mouth at the same time.a great floral hop flavor and wonderfuly firm bitterness.

this beer finishes out with a lingering floral hop character that overwhealms your nasal cavity and a subdued bitterness that stays with the tongue. this is a really wonderful beer and any hop head would be glad to have a pint of this (or a 1L bottle as the case more often is with the grand reserve beers)

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2009 23:36:54 | More by Brandt

madtappers

Washington

4.55/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Well I will agree with the other reviewers, this is a darn good hoppy amber beer.

Served in a standard pint glass from a bottle (impressive bottle). Pours a amberish red with a nice white head, awesome citrus hop scent both to the nose and tongue. No agressive after taste.

Would have this beer again if I could find it on tap, but the bottle is pretty big for 1 person.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2010 01:03:01 | More by madtappers

farrago

New Jersey

4.53/5  rDev +13%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Finger plus of orange tinged tan foam, even with a good amount of larger bubbles achieves a thickness and solid retention, slow dissolve without much dimpling, likewise excellent stick to the lacing residue, glass needs to be washed to get it out. Fully opaque without seeming filmy, rich glow in the redwood to mahogany, amber doesn’t really do it justice, virtually no fade at the rims or glass bottom. The nose is packed with scents without getting heavy or inert, super-ripe tangerine to grapefruit citrus and molten milk chocolate leads the bunch, fresh honey, butterscotch, cooling multigrain bread, cashews and Brazil nuts, flowers, has lemongrass, forest floor earth and lichen like growth to bring things into balance, very light pepperiness, remains highly accessible without sacrificing complexity for those seeking it. Full-bodied, the creamy mouth entry shifts into a drier, more tingly feel as the hops assert themselves and the carbonation uses its tight weave to drum out a steady beat against your tongue. Orange, tangerine, pink grapefruit citrus mainly sweet but definitely has a sour edge as well. The milk chocolate remains the primary malt flavor, butterscotch and coconut flakes next, doesn’t push things too far. Ample peach, apricot, pear, yellow apple fruit with a nod towards pineapple and guava. Some pine and flowers, less earthy here but perhaps more minerally. Ridiculously easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2011 04:57:41 | More by farrago

FanofHefe

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Served on tap in a tulip. Dark amber, mostly clear, with some red tint. About one finger of white head that leaves tons of lacing.

Excellent hoppy aroma. Piney and grassy with a hint of floral notes in the background. A touch of sweet malt in the background. Smells like an IPA.

Very tasty. Very IPA-like but on the sweeter side. The caramel malt flavor is more prominent in the flavor than the aroma would suggest, but there is still plenty of hoppy bitterness to balance it out.

Medium to light in the mouthfeel and nearly no notice of the alcohol. Excellent brew, and I highly recommend it.

Serving type: on-tap

06-18-2011 01:47:47 | More by FanofHefe

MrVonzipper

California

4.5/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottleshare and tasting with Alucard4, BHOBS and DarthKostrizer.
Pours tawny caramel color with a Nice thick 2 cm eggshell bubbly head with good retention and fair lacing. 

Very nice nose. Nice caramel maltiness. Sweet floral tones and light pine. 

Great flavor and balance. Nice floral and light pine hop character perfectly balanced with a mild creamy caramel maltiness.

Smooth creamy mouthfeel Medium bodied with medium carbonation.

Overall this is definitely one of my favorite all time reds if not the best. Excellent flavor and nose. So perfectly balanced. I am impressed every time I try a Grand Teton Cellar Reserve. Well done boys.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2011 23:26:46 | More by MrVonzipper

StoneTSR

Colorado

4.45/5  rDev +11%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

APPEARANCE: Oh my. This stuff looks delicious. The color is a striking, deep and solidly opaque reddish brown with a brilliantly clean white head resting on top. The head was very slow to dissipate and after a few minutes it is still retaining a small mound of fluffiness in the middle of the glass. The one drawback was a lack of lacing, some thin and wispy foam clung to the very top of the glass, but otherwise there were just a few random blotches. That lack of lacing, however, was made up for by the gorgeous packaging. A beer deserves to be recognized for this, as I believe it helps make it more appetizing. The bright orange foil along with the vibrant and exciting label makes this a beer I want to try.

SMELL: The nose on the Pursuit of Hoppiness is getting me excited. Malt and hop aromas come through strong, but there is an underlying smell of pineapple as well - an exceptionally appetizing smell.

TASTE: A delicious and intense hoppy pine flavor greets the palate immediately, and it is good. After the initial burst of hops a wave of sweet malt and apple rush in before giving way to a second dose of hops. On the back end, however, the hops are bitterer and a rye flavor is detectable. I really love beers with this type of flavor pattern - easier hops up front, sweet in the middle and nice and bitter at the end. It is such a pleasant experience with every sip.

MOUTHFEEL: Very sparkly and well carbonated. Tiny bubbles bring the palate to life at the beginning of each sip. As it washes down it leaves the tongue very dry, but not so much that it destroys the palate, just enough to make the drinker thirsty for that next sip.

DRINKABILITY: This is very drinkable. My only complaint is that I don't have some good, spicy Mexican food to go with it right now, it would be perfect. The dryness from the aftertaste was intense enough on the first sip that I was a little scared it might rip my taste buds out by the end, but it never got to that point. It just flirted with disaster enough to stay exciting throughout the entire bomber.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2011 01:16:34 | More by StoneTSR

mikul93

California

4.45/5  rDev +11%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A Pours a dark amber with a nice healthy head. Nice lacing

S Big big citrus. Pine and hops. What a wonderful smelling beer!

T Grapefruit, caramel, spice and hops. Very tasty beer.

M Nicely carbonated. Bitterness lingers on the tongue.

O Really enjoyed this beer. The smells is just tremendous. Very easy drinking beer. Would pick up again in a second.

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2011 00:05:08 | More by mikul93

Durge

Connecticut

4.45/5  rDev +11%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A cloudy rusty-amber colored brew with a two-inch thick clumpy oatmeal colored head and big chunky gobs of lacing left behind. The aroma is pretty powerful spruce and bright citrus tempered by near chocolatey malt with a hint of some alcohol. Very different and enticing. The flavor is really different with a clear mocha and grassy-pine hop merged into a tangy pineapple malt deal. The chocolate idea seems to dissipate as it warms and the malt with orange-citrus comes out. Medium bodied with solid carbonation and a brisk, lush feel. Very fun brew!

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2012 03:36:53 | More by Durge

jondeelee

Massachusetts

4.43/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pursuit of Hoppiness opens with an aroma that nicely befits the name, being bright and full of citrusy, lemony, piney, grapefruit notes from the hops, which slightly tickle the nose in their citrusy bitterness. A healthy malt base, full of brown sugar, vanilla, biscuit, orange, and berry aromas, complements the hops. The aromas as a whole are well balanced and enticing, none overwhelming the beer, and the slight stickiness around the bottle's mouth promises excellent viscosity and quality of brew.

On the tongue, the beer opens in good IPA-like style, with a huge and immediate hit of hops, which bring pine, grapefruit zest, lemon, dandelion stem, mint, and eucalyptus notes, as well as a good dose of bitterness from the 100 IBUs. The hops are so well-balanced and crafted that, despite their intense flavors and bitterness, they still allow a good amount of malt sugar to break through, providing a base of orange liqueur, berry, toast crust, brown sugar, and fresh whole wheat bread. The beer is tilted very much in favors of the hops, however, and this continues into the aftertaste, which consists mainly of the dandelion stem, grapefruit rind, and lemon rind hop notes, with some brown sugars and oranges left over, and lingers for some time. Mouthfeel is medium, and carbonation is medium to medium-high.

Overall, this is a great Imperial Red Ale, showcasing an excellent range of hop and malt flavors, and being largely well balanced--at least, as well balanced as a 100 IBU hop monster can be. The hops do overly dominate the aftertaste, of course, and tend to slightly detract from the sugars in the main mouthful, but I doubt many hopheads will protest too much. Very much worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2012 00:33:22 | More by jondeelee

jwc215

New Jersey

4.4/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

1 Qt. 1.8 oz. flip-top bottle - Brewed on Sept. 17, 2009 - wish I had gotten to it sooner, but reviewed shortly after receiving it from Half Time...

Pours slightly clouded orangeish copper with a bubbly one-finger-plus head that stays. Lacing nearly covers the glass.

The smell is of a lovely hop aroma - citrus/grapefruit with herbal and piney notes. (Hop bill is Summit, Simcoe, Chanook and Nugget). Hops come together to showcase citrus, pine and peppery spicing with a caramel malt backing.

This is a "must try" for hoppy amber/red lovers. Beautifully hoppped with caramel (in a "red" way) backing. Alcohol well-integrated. I didn't have pizza on hand, but I can see the hoppy, doughy, carmelized maltiness complementing it very well. I wish I had more of this (had no problem getting through the large bottle) to go with a pizza with carmelized onions. Very nice - hoppy, with firm caramel malty backbone and some doughy notes.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2010 01:34:06 | More by jwc215

mynie

Indiana

4.4/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Apparently I need to stop being impressed by finding beers I first heard about in 2007. I'm just getting around to Nugget Nectar--I'm all excited, start writing about it, get a big ol' Double N logo tattooed on my lower back--but then everyone calls me a melvin because the hot new thing is this Nigerian lager they brew using parts of a little kid who got hacked to death because he didn't work fast enough in the diamond mines. It's called "He Didn't Go to Jared" and it's billed as a Carbon Aged Triple IPA. And, fuck, it'll be like five years before I get to try it, and by that point the cool kids'll be drinking Martian beer, probably.

Anyhow, wow! This was just sitting at a Binny's! Like it was no big deal!

I like reds with earthy back ends, and this has that. The hops aren't as wowza as I was expecting but it's real good balance-wise. Also, an immensely pretty pour.

Full Review:
http://mynie.com/?p=381

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2013 22:13:36 | More by mynie

CPeterson

Minnesota

4.35/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottled 9 / 09, Cellared at 55 - 65 degrees for 16 months

A -- A murky, crimson brew that produces a vigorous head leaving huge gobs of thick splotchy lacing, and settles into a light skim and clarifies to a translucent red / copper.

S -- A huge hit of caramel and honey, countered by a faint floral hop aroma. Earth, leather, and herbal tones toward the end.

T -- Big malty, roasty notes at the front, earth and grain, followed by a sturdy floral essence of hops that subtly counters the sweetness and provides a subtle bitterness, finishing dry.

M -- Thick and full bodied, still very well carbonated from the conditioning, a little sticky and resinous on the finish.

D -- Even after extended cellaring for a hop heavy brew, this still holds some great hop characteristics and shows that a well constructed brew will change over time but will still be a great beer. Will re-review on this same post with fresh bottle.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2011 03:20:59 | More by CPeterson

welldigger888

South Carolina

4.35/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from growler in to an imp. pint glass,nice orangish garnet hue with an off white head that laces well.
Sweet malty citrusy tropical fruit.
Sweet bready malt with a large hop bitternedd that comes on strong with an aray of tropical citrusy goodness. Piney reson in the front with the citrus and a bitter hop finish, well played.
A little peppery with some nice chew.
This one is real good, hope it sticks around as I look foward to drinking this again.

Serving type: growler

02-21-2011 03:16:38 | More by welldigger888

ForWhatAlesYou

Minnesota

4.33/5  rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

.5 liter on tap

A: Nearly Crayola/Kool-Aid red with amber tones. No real head poured (probably a bartender issue). Spotty lacing.

S: Deep floral hop aroma. Roses. Dried fruit.

T: Super fruit over the top of this hop bomb. Deep bitter hop has more character than most. Tobacco, cider, and plums.

M: A little oilyness compliments the carbonation level and hop bitter.

D: Don't know how many I could drink in a row, but I loved the one I had!

Serving type: on-tap

01-21-2011 17:50:00 | More by ForWhatAlesYou

n2185

North Carolina

4.33/5  rDev +8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a dark, murky red that is more like a barleywine or quad than an amber ale. One finger of off-white head, which quickly recedes but leaves decent lacing.

S: A little caramel malt up front followed by lots of citrus. Orange, pineapple, and grapefruit all fill the nose. Very nice.

T: A good mix of grapefruit and orange on the tongue. Not too sweet, but very little bitterness either--only a tad on the finish. There is also a bit of pine on the finish as well, which is overall very clean and crisp.

M: Medium body and carbonation, this beer avoids being too oily or sweet. There isn't much bitterness, either. Nice and crisp.

D: Very drinkable with the crisp body. Overall, a very good red ale, probably the best I've had. Wonderful citrus aroma and flavor with a nice, orangey aftertaste that is very crisp.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2011 03:42:22 | More by n2185

DrinkingDrake

Massachusetts

4.28/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a goblet a dark amber/ruby color with a thin but creamy thick head. Sugary and a nutty, lightly toasted, malt in the nose and large amount of hops over it. Floral and earthy with some orange as well. The flavor is balanced very well. However, the malty body is grabbing my attention more than the hops. Sweet and warm, plum, subtle tangy metallic. Hops are present in the front with some citrus and other subtle fruity characteristics. It finishes earthy and dry but with a lingering strong citrus bitterness. I like how well the hop flavors transition over such a deep and complex body.

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2011 18:27:30 | More by DrinkingDrake

bagpiper2005

Idaho

4.28/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pour: Red orange in color. Finger of white head with good retention and occasional streaks of lacing.

Smell: Big aroma of citrus hops and caramel malts. Slight floral hop note underlying the aroma.

Taste: Incredibly rich and delicious. Citrus hops are the star of this beer, but the rich caramel malt base more than makes its presence known. Hints of toffee and brown sugar up front, biscuity middle and piney finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied and creamy. Low carbonation and super smooth.

Drinkability/Overall: The 8% is well-hidden and it sneaks up on you! Dangerously drinkable, good taste, and surprisingly refreshing.

Final Notes: Really good beer. Lovely balance between malt and hops, bold flavor, and easy to drink. Definitely a beer to check out.

Serving type: on-tap

07-21-2011 21:03:41 | More by bagpiper2005