Hop Czar - BridgePort Brewing Co. / Brewpub

CentralPA

North Carolina

5/5  rDev +37.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured into a snifter.

A - Orange and copper colored with thin head retention. After it is swirled, it kind of has some characteristics of a good CA sparkling wine in that the bubbles are very small and dense. Due to its heaviness, these are mostly found in the dense, but thin head.

S - The first thing you get is a blast of aroma from the dry hopping. Excellent balance b/t the spiciness and citrusy hops with a strong floral character, which I prefer. A little bit of the alcohol comes through, but it is not overpowering. The malts take a backseat here and are very unnoticeable.

T - The taste reinforces the smell. Hops are mostly evident with faint hints of caramelly, sweet, and bready malts detected in the finish. Just enough bittering hops to be noticeable, but not too bitter to take over the overall flavor.

M - Mouthfeel is bubbly with just enough heaviness. The alcohol is barely perceptible while drinking the beer. Finishes exceptionally dry for a beer of this style and for a beer that is 7.5 %, it is highly, if not downright dangerously, drinkable.

If you like dry hopped IPAs like Green Flash IPA, Sweetwater IPA, etc., you will like this beer. If you like malty or more balanced IPAs, this might not be your cup of tea. But for about 7 to 8 bucks for a sixer, you gotta at least try it as it may be the best deal on the market given that the ingredients, especially the hops, are quite evident.

Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2010 21:50:10 | More by CentralPA

kdawg105

Georgia

5/5  rDev +37.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

WOW!! Great IPA! It pours a nice dark amber color with bout 1/4 in head. The lace hangs around nicely as well. The smell is very noticeable citrus hops with but the malts are also noticeable. Taste is out of this world don't even know where to begin just saying if you Like IPA's You will love this Brew!! Mouthfeel has nice tingle at first which goes down smoothly making it a very easy drinking balanced beer. Get the chance to try it DO!

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2012 21:03:13 | More by kdawg105

kwc017

Arizona

4.72/5  rDev +30%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Just a great version of a west coast Imperial IPA. So hoppy. So delicious. It really is just hop, hop and hop! A bit of malt but not much. Wonderful bitter lingering taste. In my opinion, if you put were to pour this at the Bridgeport brewery and compare it side by side with Pliny, it would hold it's own. No doubt in my mind. If you can't tell I just love this beer!

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2011 04:35:18 | More by kwc017

NoHipTee

Washington

4.72/5  rDev +30%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a frosty cold glass. light amber appearance with the perfect amount of frothy head that is enough to stick to your mustache but not so much that it interferes with drinking.

Smell is wow, bang, punch in the nose hoppy.

Taste is also super hoppy as expected. The pine hoppy flavor lingers for a long long while after the beer has passed thru my beer processing system.

Mouthfeel is bitter but refreshing and could do with just a bit more carbonation.

Overall I have developed a strong liking for this beer. May be a bit toooo bitter for the average beer drinker but is very sessionable for me.

Cheers.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2011 17:52:30 | More by NoHipTee

ironlung

California

4.63/5  rDev +27.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Can I get a fuck yeah???

My first Bridgeport beer, and its a doozy! This bad boy had me at hello...

A: Hazy amber. No head =[

S: Can smell the hops right on the pour. No need to stick my face in the glass.

T: Perfect. An ipa's ipa. Has a strong fresh hop flavor to it, but the malts are there doing their job and giving some balance. I said SOME...

M: Doesn't linger. Very crisp. Can breathe out through my nose and get hints of the hops.

D: Too good for the ABV. I'm impressed, and soon to be wasted!

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2010 23:36:15 | More by ironlung

chocosushi

Oklahoma

4.63/5  rDev +27.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Purchased at Byron's liquor.
One of my all time favorite Bridgeport beers.
First time reviewing.

12oz bottle -> Fuller's pint

A ~ Pours a golden caramel with a half inch size head that dissipates after 30 seconds. Translucent with tiny bubbles

S ~ Hops hops hops! Flowers and Fruit.

T ~ Fruity American hops (grapefruit/strawberries/limes) and what tastes like English bittering hops. Thick malt that doesn't battle with the hops like so many Imperials do. Dry finish with a good bite. That citrus stays with you like a hop breath mint, which is pretty awesome if you are a hophead.

M ~ Perfect carbonation. Such a velvety smooth mouthfeel with present, yet not
overbearing linger of the 7.5 ABV. Good beer to swish in your mouth.

D ~ Incredible. Tasty and complex, I find more things about this beer that i like every time I drink it. The only IIPA I would ever session with...Seriously.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2011 01:47:22 | More by chocosushi

kosmoraios

Washington

4.55/5  rDev +25.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Pours a deep, murky copper color with a 2-finger beige head that coats the entire glass with lacing. Aroma is of citrus and pinewood hops.

Taste is immediately of big, bitter hops. Other reviews found this beer to be "not over the top" and otherwise not hoppy enough. I like to think of myself as a bit of a hophead - and this one delivers. The citrus borders on tart, while the piney/herbalness of the hops has all the bitterness of a pineneedle tea. The malt is unidentifiable. A properly bitter IIPA in my opinion.

Mouthfeel is peppery and bodied, with a nice complex finish. The ale becomes more complex as it warms, and I take back what I said about the malt. At 8%, unbelievably drinkable for the style.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2008 01:19:20 | More by kosmoraios

ccrida

Oregon

4.53/5  rDev +24.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bomber picked up at the brewery and poured into an imperial pint glass, Hop Czar is copper with a medium sized off-white head that is pretty slow to subside and leaves heavy lace.

Smell is heavy on the spicy, resinous hops, like smelling a freshly opened vacuumed sealed bag of them, which is different then how they often smell after they've been brewed, but very nice. I thought this had been out for a while, but the smell is so fresh, and seeing I got the first review, perhaps it's newer then I realized. I really couldn't get enough, and finally had to bump it all the way up, just very nice, and a bit unusual.

Taste is also heavy on the spicy hops, earthy, a touch of pine and more citrus then the nose, and with a hearty malt backbone, biscuit and caramel, with a bitter, lingering finish. I was expecting a bigger version of their classic IPA but Hop Czar is really quite different, maltier for sure, and without the overt grapefruit hop profile, but much spicier, and really quite nice. I normally don't like them so bitter, but there's enough hop flavor to balance it out and keep it satisfying. After their stumble with Stumptown Tart, I was pensive going in, but am happy to see they pulled off a really nice DIPA.

Mouthfeel is oily and slick but nicely carbonated, with a medium body.

Drinkability is pretty good, great aroma and nice taste. Strong enough to count, but not overwhelming, although the spiciness of the hops maybe to much for some, and making the palate call for a pause on the way down...but quickly beckons for another sip. The value price ($4.50) only adds to the drinkability. Cheers to Bridgeport!

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2008 02:07:21 | More by ccrida

GJ40

North Carolina

4.53/5  rDev +24.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Sampled from a 22oz bottle in a tulip pint glass. Purchased at the Bridgeport Brewpub in downtown Portland.

A - A rich golden color with a slight haze, a thick white head and very nice lacing. It doesn't get any better.

S - Nice fruity and floral hops leap out of the glass. Slight alcohol as well.

T - Nice fruity hop flavor with a firm kick of alcohol. A lingering bitterness and citrusy flavor. I had one on tap at the Oregon Brewer's Festival and it was even better but this comes pretty close for a bottled beer.

M - Perfect carbonation (low to moderate) which lets the flavors come through. Good body.

D - Strong (in alcohol and flavor) but still quite drinkable. I carried two home and I think I'll let the second wait for a special occasion.

I really like this beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2008 19:52:26 | More by GJ40

TheSarge

Illinois

4.48/5  rDev +23.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured this one into a tulip glass, and Hop Czar makes a strong finger thick off white foam presentation, and the body of the brew makes a copper colored appearance with a lot of haze.

The aroma is hop centric, with grapefruit and orange peel (or peal?). Very arid in the way of a breeze of fresh air.

Taste wise it hits with a good solid caramel back bone, and the hops impart a sling of lemon, grapefruit, and metallic qualities.

Feel medium in body, and not warming in the end. I'd venture to say this is a solid IPA, but not a DIPA. Nonetheless, a great beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2012 00:09:30 | More by TheSarge

ElGordo

Oregon

4.47/5  rDev +23.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from the 22oz bottle into a wine glass, as I'm in a hotel without a proper vessel for this style. Body is a bright orange hue with golden highlights, topped by a smallish creamy white head that leaves some good lacing on the glass. Aroma of piny hops, with hints of orange blossom and a touch of biscuity malt to balance things out.
Palate is balanced up front between piny hops and slightly sweet biscuity malt. The bitterness of the hops moves to the forefront before the swallow, and the citrusy notes linger on the finish. Body is full and just a touch sticky, which is pretty much what I'm looking for in the style. This is one of the best new hoppy offerings I've had this year, and I'm proud it's from one of my hometown breweries. Great job.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2008 06:59:20 | More by ElGordo

ckeegan04

Texas

4.47/5  rDev +23.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Brownish-orange with a frothy light brown head, about one finger. Fades to a thin 1/2 inch layer and leave sheets of lacing.

S - Smells primarily of big citrusy hops with a faint sweetness in the background.

T - A light sweetness at first before quickly being washed away by a resinous citrus hop blast. Some grapefruit and lemon are most prominant. Also a piney note lingers later in the drink. Finished with a primarily bitter end.

M/D - Medium to full bodied. Smooth and creamy feel that somewhat coats the mouth. A great drinking DIPA.

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2008 19:13:04 | More by ckeegan04

allthatAles

Georgia

4.45/5  rDev +22.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Pour: Thick eggshell white head, thick not translucent, like an unfiltered IPA, Reddish-golden in hue.

Nose: almost grassy hops on the nose, a slight (bitter) cream.There is a sour yeasty characteristic to the the nose and the bottles carcass.

Mouth: Good & hoppy, a citrusy grapefruit type astringency. A good challenging Ale. Just a hint of malt at the begging. A light soapy coating spreads across the tongue about the middle of the flavor.

Really delightful. Especially for those lovers of strong ales. I believe this supports the idea of moderation, an Ale that fights and delgiths, the proverbial slap and tickle...yum!

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2010 00:46:56 | More by allthatAles

ronniebruner

Arizona

4.45/5  rDev +22.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

When poured into a pint glass, it looks like a typical India Pale Ale, with a golden hoppy color. Where this beer really sticks out is in the earthy, grassy aroma. The aroma is beautifully noted, and the taste is obviously of watery hops and barley. It is the perfect blend of not being too strong or over the top. Definitely one of the better hoppy beers on the market these days. The beer pours with just the right amount of carbonation, head, and lace, and the lingering taste of hops on the palette makes for a memorable beer tasting experience. Perfect with a hearty meal, a very worthy beer indeed. Definitely the best product I have tried thus far from Bridgeport. If they keep brewing beers this good, they could be one of the top brewers in the U.S.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2012 02:32:31 | More by ronniebruner

westsidemiller

Washington

4.43/5  rDev +22%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

At first I was a bit under-whelmed from the aroma of this beer. For an Imperial IPA it didn't have the prominent hop character that I was expecting. In fact it smelled exactly like their regular IPA. It does have a nice reddish copper color with solid off white head that persists. The flavor was a pleasant surprise; hoppy yet not over the top. Citrus tones were present as well as a nice dry finish. Nice mouth feel with moderate carbonation and sweetness. Overall I was impressed with this beer, their IPA is solid, this model increases the complexity of their IPA while still preserving drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2008 03:25:48 | More by westsidemiller

oldirtdog

South Carolina

4.43/5  rDev +22%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Standard color of any good IPA... slightly orange and amber... drank straight from bottle, so cannot comment on head...

S - smells of hops... duh... citrus hints... I was drawn to the intensity of the hop smell, though... I love hops and this one had me sold at first sniff...

T - really, really good... high hop quantity... high alcohol content, but really doesn't taste overly potent, which is a good thing... very drinkable and highly sessionable

M - clean and easy...again, it doesn't coat the mouth like a highly alcoholic beverage... 7.5 isn't a massive amount, but good enough to warrant some exceptions...

D - VERY drinkable... I would recommend this to any hop hound... any IPA fan would love to drink many of these

All in all, this is a decent IPA... it's not as strong as the Doubles or Imperials I am used to, but it is entirely delicious in its own way... try it out if you ever manage to find one

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2010 01:49:38 | More by oldirtdog

Bricelyn

Idaho

4.43/5  rDev +22%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a Sam Adams Cheers to 25 years glass!(Cuz damnit I'm classy like that) with afingers worth of creamy head topping this wonderfully colored beer.

A buttery hoppy smell is emeinating from this beast of a brew almost like fresh baked bread ending with a strong alcohol scent.

The hops hit your tongue take it for a ride man it starts of leafy and wonderfull then it smacks the back of your with some strong bitter and mellows out into a sticky slime that gives you little aftershocks of bitter mmm bitter.

Good amount of carbonation and not to much just right doesnt leave your mouth to sticky either.

Great beer to drink whilst watching portlandia!

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2011 04:51:37 | More by Bricelyn

russpowell

Oklahoma

4.4/5  rDev +21.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a semi-turbid amber/orange with 1+ finger of sand colored head. This clears nicely: superior head retention & good lacing

S: Resiny pine & orange slices

T: Citric hops, a bit of toffee sweetness sneaks in before grapefruit & piney hops slam the roof of my mouth! Nice biscuitty malt & tangerine surface as this warms, plus some leafy & piney hops & then the grapefruit express rolls on! Finishes with some woody dryness, then pine resin, plus much grapefruit

MF: Medium bodied, sticky, there's a bit of carbonation here & some nice juicyness from the hops. Balance isn't perfect, damn near

Drinks okay, the heavy hopping slows me down a bit, hopheads will surely disagree. Easily the best beer from Bridgeport IMHO

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2008 06:52:33 | More by russpowell

industrialswill

Washington

4.4/5  rDev +21.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

$7 / sixer at Fred Meyers

Dark amber, floral smell.
Tastes great! Everything I expect in an imperial IPA. ABV is well hidden, the brewmeister is a sly devil.
This is a very good value, my kind of beer. I feel very fortunate to have this as an affordable choice close to home. I hope to see more of this stuff in the beer departments around here.

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2010 21:23:22 | More by industrialswill

jhtipton

Spain

4.35/5  rDev +19.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Hope I didn't score too high. It was a pleasant find at a gourmet shop in Seattle and at $1.39 a bottle, who is to complain. Nice lacing and a orangish hue. Smells a bit piney. Taste is bitter at 87 IBU and I like it. Nice flavor and sticks to the palate. At 7.5% abv CAN'T SESSION IT BUT WOULD DEFINITELY PICK ONE UP AGAIN! Cheers.

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2010 02:10:58 | More by jhtipton

Bitterbill

Wyoming

4.35/5  rDev +19.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bought locally for $7.89 a six pack.

It pours a slightly hazy orange gold with about an inch of foam. Sheets of lacing are impressive.

Lots of citrus and pine in the nose; grapefruit and tangerines mostly, with a solid smell of malt, both caramel and biscuit. I'm thinking this DIPA has a nice balance.

Plenty of grapefruit and pine in the first sip followed by caramel sweetness and notes of biscuit. Again, seems pretty balanced for the style but...I'm drinking this pretty cold so I'm gonna give it some time to warm up and see what happens/changes, if anything.

/Time has passed

More fruit flavour now, the tangerine I mentioned in the smell, and things are slightly sweeter mid palate but man, that is one dry finish! Wow! And...that's where the major bitterness lies with this beer. I have to say though, I reckon it's right up my alley when in the mood and I'm in the mood right now. ;^)

On the high end of medium bodied with medium carbonation. I see people describe it being sticky. I couldn't agree more. A good plus.

Drinkability? I'm getting a fair bit of warming, more than I expected given the abv but no serious complaints. The bottle is going fast enough. I like this DIPA. A lot!

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2010 21:26:25 | More by Bitterbill

champ103

Texas

4.35/5  rDev +19.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a beautiful hazy orange color. A pillowing, two finger, white head forms. The rocky foam has very good retention, with some stick spiderweb looking lace is left all the way down the glass.
S: A very nice aroma. Plenty of piny hops up front. Fresh citrus hops come next, and a light grapefruit aroma. A wonderful mango, and pineapple aromas as well. An incredible hop aroma. Lots of malt for balance as well. Lightly toasted, bread, biscuit and lightly sweet.
T: At first big resiny pine hops flavor with a strong bitterness (never overwhelming). Though as this warms up lots of other flavors come out. Juicy citrus, pineapple, and grapefruit hops. A huge hop flavor that has excellent malt balance. Bread, biscuit, and caramel sweetness lingers.
M/D: A medium body that has a very firm, crisp and dry texture. Very easy to drink. The alcohol is on the low side for a DIPA. Combine that and a well balanced beer makes for a very enjoyable drink.

I really like this. This has grown on me even more during the course of the six pack. Almost a perfect DIPA for me. Tons of hop flavor. Something that many breweries forget about. Not just over barring bitterness. With all that going on, it still is really well balanced. Something I love, and highly recommend.

Serving type: bottle

08-10-2010 22:13:02 | More by champ103

midwestbrewers

Kansas

4.35/5  rDev +19.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours wit a 1 finger head atop of a deep copper colored brew.

S: Straight up hops!!! Amazing citric grapefruit smell, but the smell is balanced. Not too overpowering in any category.

T: Amazing robust hop flavor but, as the smell, not overpowering. The massive amount of hops plays well with the big malts for this beer.

A world class beer. Somewhat sweet then intense bitterness! Great flavor and compared to some beers a great cost too. AMAZING BEER Bridgeport Brewing Co.!!!

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2011 18:20:06 | More by midwestbrewers

FanofHefe

Illinois

4.35/5  rDev +19.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 oz. bottle poured into a pint glass; no freshness dating. Clear, light amber body, with just a bit of orange hue. Solid two-finger light tan head that has excellent retention and leaves long lasting foam cap and good lacing.

Smells fresh. Nice hop aroma featuring grapefruit and other light citrus plus tropical fruit notes. A little sweet malt in the background.

The taste follows the aroma overall with a very nice bitter hop bite. More pine resin and grapefruit in the taste than I would have expected from the aroma. A little tropical fruit flavor and sweet malt complete a very good flavor balance overall.

Medium mouthfeel with the expected hop oil texture. Very pleased with this beer and glad it came in a sixer as I am looking forward to several more.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2011 23:27:36 | More by FanofHefe

Treesaremelting

4.35/5  rDev +19.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Tastes like one giant hop. Unfortunately I'm not a one plant kind of guy. The result is fairly magnificent, but in a kind of limited way. Enjoy alcoholics and other thrill seekers. This a beer honed to a diamond point. Related writers: William S. Burroughs, Rudyard Kipling, J. K. Rowling, Yukio Mishima.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2012 02:27:34 | More by Treesaremelting