Hop 15 - Port Brewing Company / Pizza Port

doppelmeup

North Carolina

4.68/5  rDev +12%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

The first thought I had when trying this beer was that it smelled and tasted almost exactly like Stone Double Bastard Ale, but just slightly sweeter.

As luck would have it, my buddy pulled a bottle of Double Bastard out of his fridge that I had given him last year at Christmas and that he had been saving. It was 2007 bottle. Sure enough, the beers were so similar they could have been twins.

A: Great looking topaz/citron colored ale with a fantastic creamy head.

S: Lots of hop,lots of malt. Grapefruits, pine, grass, brown sugar, sweet malts.

T: A sweeter version of Double Bastard Ale. Plenty of bitter hops balanced by quite a bit of sweetness.

M: Rich and chewy, creamy, not much of an alcoholic bite at all.

D: I really enjoyed this beer. I found it just a bit sweet, but that is just being picky. I couldn't drink a lot of this at once, but a glass now and then is a great treat!

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2009 18:22:14 | More by doppelmeup

dalix24

California

4.68/5  rDev +12%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

By far my Favorite beer and the brewery is pretty damn good to. if i was to ever brew my own beer this would be the color that i am looking for. if you haven't tried it do it!

strong ABV% so it doesn't take much. what a delicious taste. the hops are perfect from beginning to end.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2010 02:34:08 | More by dalix24

francisweizen

Australia

4.65/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Notes: Hand-bottled bottle # 220. This beer poured a dark, murky reddish/brown colour with an ample, white head. The aromas were suprisingly malty, with a lot of hops in the nose as well. The taste was a very suprising mix of a heavy blend of several malts, alcohol, and the 15 different varieties of Hops that were used in this brew. The mouthfeel was thick, but not too thick, and the drinkability was excellent as well...

A BIG Thanks to the BIG dog for the sample!!!
-F

Serving type: bottle

07-03-2003 14:20:51 | More by francisweizen

bosco7

Pennsylvania

4.65/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a really light copper color with a pillowy head. Lacing clings to the glass. Some chill haze that clears soon enough.

Pineapple, grapefruit, orange, mango, cedar, pepper, strawberry, peach and passionfruit in the nose. Wow this smells like a fruit salad with a dash of bark! Nice.

Starts sweet with some caramel. Not as fruity as the nose but the palate is dominated by pungent grapefruit and orange zest. There is some pineapple in there as well. This is followed by sticky pine resin and a impressive amount of bitterness. Finishes dry and bitter with some booze. It is well attenuated which is surprising for the 10% ABV. Flavorful is an understatement.

I am really impressed with the light and refreshing mouthfeel on this brew. Overall this has to be one of my favorite DIPAs. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2007 01:03:10 | More by bosco7

drseamus

New York

4.65/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A: Gotta love the crystal clear beers. This one is a reddish amber color with a white head.

S: The aroma is jam packed with pine, citrus and a touch of sweetness and is purely amazing. This one is really off the charts and in a league with Pure Hoppiness.

T: Flavor is dead on nuts. Exactly what it should be. Tons of citrus, tons of pine, a little malty sweetness (maybe a touch too much), and good bitterness but not overly so. I find that a lot of DIPA's just blast bitterness instead of using the flavor aspect of hops and this beer is NOT one of them. I think I'm in love but it makes me kind of nervous to say so...

M: For this much flavor it's nice to see that the body isn't crazy heavy. It is on the heavier end of medium but it feels so good.

D: Probably my favorite DIPA, but when you combine a 22oz bottle with 10% ABV it equals like 4 regular beers and that is a bit much. I need to move to San Diego.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2007 05:06:40 | More by drseamus

mjd83goblue

Michigan

4.65/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

22 oz bomber from Bottleworks in Seattle.

Great looking pour, slightly cloudy dark orange. Nice head and lacig.

Huge fresh hop and grapefruit smell smacks you in the face. Just as good as Hopslam. Tremendous.

Taste also mirrors Hopslam but is a touch more bitter. Just a little less malt support is all. Big brutal hoppy beer though.

Goes down easy, just a touch of heat on the way down.

My first beer from Port and its a beauty. Simply stunning.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2008 23:33:01 | More by mjd83goblue

blackc5

Washington

4.65/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Had on tap at Collins Pub.

A - Pours a pleasing rich orange color with a very fluffy head. Just a finger or so on the pour I received, but it really stuck around and left some great lacing.

S - Citrusy hops are the strongest component, shared with some caramel/molasses and a hint of alcohol. Quite strong and pleasing to be sure.

T- Here I think they really nailed it - a great, great DIPA. Lots of citrusy hops, some exotic tropical fruit, a fair amount of malty caramel sweetness, and great bitter aftertaste. It is just a really balanced symphony of flavors going on. Quite spectacular on tap, and easily a top contender in taste profile.

M - I really enjoyed the beer in this regards as well. It is think and chewy with the right amount of oiliness that just perfectly coats the tongue.

D - Ok, ABV-wise it is hard to rate this high, but it surely is an enjoyable beer. I give it a 4 here in that it is surely a beer you will want to seek out to drink again. Exceptional.

Serving type: on-tap

08-05-2009 02:06:32 | More by blackc5

soupyman10

District of Columbia

4.65/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A bottle from Joey at South Bay Drugs. Excited to finally grab a bottle of this, as I've heard a lot about Hop 15 and other Port brews.

Amber-maroon color with a fine film of head, slightly off-white. Copper highlights. Nice-looking beer, could do with a little more in the way of foam/lacing.

Nose is hops, nice and strong. Sweet citrus comes through with mild caramel in the background.

Flavor is way bigger. Monster citrus and pine hops. Stick around throughout the beer, strong on the tongue in the aftertaste as well. Toffee malt filters through in the middle. Slightly spicy. Hop bomb, no question. 10% ABV, but none of that comes through at all. Really nice tasty and unique brew.

Body is good, slightly syrupy, a little past medium bodied. Works well with the flavor.

Overall this is a really tasty, delicious DIPA. Would definitely pick it up again if I could find it locally.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2009 02:07:55 | More by soupyman10

ngeunit1

California

4.65/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours a cloudy golden-orange color with a finger of frothy white head. The head fades down fairly quickly leaving behind some light lace.

S- Aroma is full of citrus hops with lots of orange, some light grapefruit, pine, earthy spiciness, and some sweet caramel malt.

T - Starts off with some strong citrus hops with lots of orange flavor and some growing bitterness. There is a bit of sweet caramel malt as well. Through the middle, tropical fruit hops and earthy and piney hops come through with some stronger bitterness and some more malt flavor. The finish is a mix of bitterness, pine and citrus hops with a touch of spice, some sweet malt, and a bit of booze.

M - Medium-full bodied with moderate carbonation. Feels smooth with a sweet, bitter, warming, and dry finish.

D - Very drinkable. Really big hop flavor from start to end with some great bitterness alongside. The body and malt of the beer keep up though and the end result is well balanced.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2012 04:35:01 | More by ngeunit1

JTSbeerislife

Pennsylvania

4.65/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at The Fridge, 6/10/12, notes taken when served.

14 oz serving poured into a traditional brandy glass, acceptable.

Pours a nice frothy ½”, white, head, brief longevity, but with very good sticky lace that coats the glass.
The color is medium, golden amber, beautiful.

The aroma is quite distinct, with pronounced dry hopping and spicy, piney, citrus and grapefruit in the nose. This is followed by medium distinct, rich, malt with a nice medium toasty character. Some definite Ale yeast here also.

Crisp, distinct, bitter entry on the palate of distinct, aggressive hops, dry hopping is evident. A powerful hop profile, wonderfully bitter, Delicious!
This is followed by very distinct, rich malt, refined and toasty with the Ale yeast coming on at the end. The body is full, balanced, with a medium, fine, balanced carbonation followed by light balanced sweetness.

The finish is very exceptionally long, bitter hops and rich malt. The hop oils linger forever totally dominating the malt.

A hop heads dream!
Strong but balanced hop profile, in the company of, but not quite as good as Sierra Nevada Hoptimum and Green Flash Palate Wrecker. Which is pretty good praise.
Highly recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

07-04-2012 00:22:18 | More by JTSbeerislife

kennylopez

New Jersey

4.65/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured a 3/16/12, 22oz bottle into a a palm glass.

Appearance: a minimal white that leaves little lacing that atop a orange golden straw color with little bits if sediment that looks a bit like pulp. Delicious, mouthwatering, and yummy and I didn't even smell it yet.

Smells: a huge citrus/pine hope that has bits of lemon orange in that smell so bitterly sweet.

Tastes: a flavorful pine front hop followed by citrus grapefruit like bitterness. there is a generous malt note that balances the fresh hops that are oh so flavorful.

Mouthfeel: there is little carbonation to this ale but I like fruity bitterness that lingers and bites rather burns from the 10%.

Overall: I picked up a bottle for just under $6 and wish I would have gotten more. I will hunt some more out.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2012 19:40:06 | More by kennylopez

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

4.63/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Rustic orange with a burnished bronze glow. An attractive crown of pale tangerine colored foam snuggles into the nonic bulge on the bottom end and threatens to overflow the glass on the top end. I thought that all those hops resins would result in a ridiculous amount of crusty lace, but no more than an average amount forms in the end. No matter, this is still a very good looking beer.

Hop 15 is called Hop 15 because 15 different hops were added every 15 minutes. That may be so, but the nose is dominated by those starting with the letter 'C'. Each eager sniff brings an explosion of sunspot bright citrus peel, including pink grapefruit, orange and lemon. Fantastic! Stunning! Out of this world!

The color led me to think that caramel malt would a big part of the flavor profile. The nose led me to think otherwise. The flavor takes me back to my original impression. This is clearly a 'big IPA' type of DIPA rather than a 'barleywine' type of DIPA, but I can't help think this would be even more delicious beer if nothing darker than pale malt was used.

While we're on the topic of minor negatives, there's a wee bit too much unmasked alcohol. That's understandable when double digit ABVs are involved, but if you want your DIPA to be world-class.... Okay, now on to the many positives. The first and most important is that Hop 15, as the name suggests, is tremendously well-hopped beer.

Adding 15 different hops is an interesting idea. Thankfully, the brewers concentrated on the C-hops (I'm guessing) to keep the flavor profile from being overly muddled. Each upending of the glass delivers brown sugar-crusted, pine sap-soaked grapefruit and bitter orange peel in liquid form. The flavor may not be as explosive as the nose, but it sure does fill the mouth and coat the tongue with hop resins galore.

I'm glad to see that Hop 15 isn't too sweet and sticky. Whatever malt sugars survived intact are easily countered (more like pummeled) by alpha acids and alcohol. My tongue will survive the assault, but will need at least 12 hours rest before it can function properly again. Is this what's know as self abuse?

My first thought was that the mouthfeel is a fraction too light. With time and warming, though, its heavily silky smoothness has been revealed. Any more full and I'd probably be complaining about too much stickiness and a hindrance to drinkability. Bottom line: be ready to have your mouth pampered.

My hope was that Hop 15 would join AleSmith YuleSmith, Alpine Pure Hoppiness and Stone Ruination as the brightest stars in the Southern California DIPA firmament. It doesn't, but it's still incredible beer that every hophead owes it to himself or herself to acquire.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2007 22:05:53 | More by BuckeyeNation

orbitalr0x

Illinois

4.63/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

22oz bomber. Love the label with the planes dropping hops as bombs! Pours into my glass a deep red orange color that's on the darker side with a nice half inch of creamy eggshell head on top that fades rather quickly. Aromas of deep sweet caramel candy malt run underneath a wall of bountiful hops. Mega grapefruit citrus aromas, like you just picked one off the tree and cut it open! Pine scents are in full force too. Can grapefruits grown on pine trees?? The dense aroma has some herbal spiciness to it as well...simply lovely. The aroma I dream about when I think of a great DIPA. This is up there with the best of the best.

First sip brings an instant smack of hops. A great amalgamation of grapefruit, citrus, tropical and piney flavors rush across the palate and bring a smile to my face. Lots of complex hop oils. It seriously takes like a fresh green hop cone. Yum! Flows down with some herbal spiciness alongside a nice caramel malt that has some candy, sugary aspects to it as well. There's just enough malt backbone here. One of the best double IPA's out there without a doubt.

Mouthfeel is dense with a nice chewiness to it as well. Just enough carbonation makes this brew almost too easy to consume. Damn good stuff. I could see myself drinking too much of this and getting in trouble real easily! I wish they would give up the secret as to what 15 hops are used in here...but ultimately they all work together to create a wonderful beer. Glad to see this bottled again, now I must get more. Thanks to KingG for the trade.

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2007 01:28:48 | More by orbitalr0x

Patrick

Massachusetts

4.63/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: This beer pours a beautiful orange amber color. Not much head, but nice lacing.

S: Smells great. Lots of citrus hops.

T: Nice and bitter, sweet, citrusy, grapefruit.

M: Very sticky and smooth, well carbontated.

D: This beer is wonderful. I wish it were more sessiobable.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2008 19:59:21 | More by Patrick

ryrust5301

Louisiana

4.63/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Appearance - Poured this into an oversized wine glass and man was it a sight to behold. The color is a beautiful orange gold. It looks very crisp and biting just by appearance. Head was a very creamy looking white color. A glowing white halo crowned the top with a misty sheet of tiny bubbles floating around the surface. Healthy amount of patchy lacing only added to this picturesque beer.

Smell - Got exactly the piny smell I was looking for, but was also impressed that it wasn't too one sided. A deep bready caramel malt also plays a big role, as well as some citrus notes (Grapefruit).

Taste & Mouthfeel - What impressed me the most about this beer was the subtleness of the way everything blended together. I was expecting a syrupy and oily type of beer, almost like drinking hop oil. This is an absolutely delicious double IPA. Massively biting and bitter at first, almost destroying your taste buds. This beer manages a graceful turn into the sweet caramel malt finish which turns bready in the aftertaste.

Drinkability - Way better than I expected, and I had high hopes for this one. Thank goodness I can order this one from South Bay and have it shipped to Louisiana on a regular basis. A true west coast double IPA, and a measuring stick for all others of its kind.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2008 05:38:29 | More by ryrust5301

william5586

Pennsylvania

4.63/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Had on tap at Local 44 in Philly

Hazy amber orange in appearance with a creamy smallish white head. Each time I smelled the beer I felt like I found something different that I had missed the time before. There were tons of pine, floral, and citrus hop notes. There was also some grapefruit and a very nice caramel malt. The taste was a very nice mixture of sweet caramel maltiness and great hop flavors that produced a slightly spicy bitter, but not overpowering finish.

I really enjoyed the taste and smell of this beer, but the mouthfeel is what made me fall in love. It had a medium body with light carbonation and the creamiest, most smooth, super velvety (add any other synonym you can think of) mouthfeel. The feel was absolutely outstanding, and I can not think of any similar beer that even comes close.

Serving type: on-tap

09-06-2009 23:32:53 | More by william5586

soughtbygod

California

4.63/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This was one big beer. it poured a light colored 2finger head, and had a wallup of floral notes coming off the top of the beer. At first taste the hops were almost too much, but a 2nd and 3rd and 4th drink proved that the hops were perfect. The pine forest of an I P A is by far one of my new favorites you wont have a problem finding this in my fridge.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2011 22:53:01 | More by soughtbygod

meathookjones

Virginia

4.6/5  rDev +10%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I believe I have wanted to try this beer since first coming across the reviews a few years ago. After finally having it I can gladly say I was not disappointed in the least. Pours out a deep dark amber with quick forming tall tan head. Chunky rings of hop laden lace were left covering the glass. Super hoppy aroma with citric, piney and floral hops coming from every which way. The was a light underlying malt sweetness but the hops were packed to the brim. So much hop complexities going on here. Citric hops start the taste of with a small bitter bite before a hint of malt peaks through to add balance before the hop assault. Piney and citric hops just coat the mouth. There was a decent bit of sweetness and alcohol trying to compete with the hops. So much going on here its pretty amazing. The bitterness is there but much lower than expected. Medium to full this is a bit sticky sweet but still prickly with hops. Smooth and creamy to boot. I could drink this till I couldn’t lift the glass if it were readily available. Simply amazingly complex. Many thanks to Ben for the hookup.

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2005 20:32:35 | More by meathookjones

hopdog

Pennsylvania

4.6/5  rDev +10%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle acquired in trade with DarkElf (thanks!). Labeled hand bottle #183.

Poured a dark copper/mahogany color with an averaged sized off white head. Aromas of grapefruit, pine, flowers, oranges with nice malts in the back ground (you just can't do better than the way this one smelled). Tastes of grapefruit, pine, oranges, caramel, and with some biscuit. Perfectly balanced tastes. Light alcohol in the finish. Gave me a couple of nice hop burps.

Definitely reminded me why IIPAs are my favorite style.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2005 15:51:43 | More by hopdog

DogFood11

California

4.6/5  rDev +10%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Bomber picked up at my local beer haunt. I've always enjoyed the fresh hop taste of this brew and this bottle was no exception.

Ripe cantelope coloring. A light orange with a bit of a haze. Strong moist hop aroma. Alcohol is well hidden for such a big brew. Content is close to a wine and I would never know it other than the warmth it provides. Large apricot and grapefruit flavors are countered by a nice dry ending. Drinkability is desireable. It has a touch of a wet hop green horn to it. Its a great example of the style and one that holds up to its competition very well.

Notes: This, like many port brewing beers is exceptional. Only downside is they seem to lead the way in elite pricing. Although you can get comparable products for less this is worth it.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2007 06:17:46 | More by DogFood11

Stoneman78

California

4.6/5  rDev +10%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a Duvel tulip glass
A- Pours a clear amber/orange/honey hue, head is a few fingers' of white, craggy, frothiness that is mostly sustaining, good watery lacing sticks on the glass
S- Nose is dominated by big citrus and piney hops with a nice backbone of sugar sweetness and some floral spice, really impressive
T- Initial taste is tart and sour citrus (lemon/grapefruit) and pine hops that is complimented by some subtle sweet malts, some pepper and spice comes in midway with a bit of funkiness, finishes dry and bitter
M- Medium-bodied ale, oily texture that coats the tongue and sticks around for a while, nice level of carbonation
D- Surprisingly easy-to-drink DIPA, but that 10%abv will definitely sneak up on you, I know that this is a "hop bomb" but my West Coast palate is not overwhelmed by the hoppiness, rather this is much better balanced than other DIPAs owing in part to that honey/citrus sweetness that avoids cloyingness and takes you along for a tasty hop ride
Buy Again? Absolutely
Personal Score- 94/100

Serving type: growler

01-14-2008 05:53:49 | More by Stoneman78

DrDogbeer

Massachusetts

4.6/5  rDev +10%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a Sam Ultimate Pint Glass- Beautiful burnt orange color. Slightly cloudy with a good pour and 1 finger white head. Smell is divine- strong and sharp citrus hops that i need to smell again and again. First taste has a great bite, but not extreme bitterness that the smell would suggest. Has a nice sweetness to it, then has a lingering hop finish which warms as it goes down. Great feel, not bland or over smooth at all. What a double IPA should taste like- not overdone at all!

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2008 01:21:22 | More by DrDogbeer

grandq

New York

4.6/5  rDev +10%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours nearly Tang orange with a billowy white head. Smells friggin amazing, full of grapefruit, coarse ground pepper, orange, granny smith apple, and faint woodsiness and sugar. The tongue is met with a delightful grapefruit cocktail, pretty much mirroring the smell. Finishes nicely bitter and peppery, a little hot with disguised alcohol, complimenting the hop profile and the very under the radar malt perfectly. Mouthfeel is resiny and coating without dissipating too quickly off the tongue. Lingers with a creamy, sweet note. Shared this with a friend who's not into hoppy beers, who is now a convert. Bloody incredibly, definitely my favorite of the style. For the love of god, make this available in NY.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2008 04:14:11 | More by grandq

BillyB

New Jersey

4.6/5  rDev +10%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours a hazy orange/copper color with a thin, whispy, off white head.

Strong aromas of citrusy, piney hops mixed with some bready malt. Grapefruit, mandarin orange, pine needles, maybe a bit of cedar.

Taste is obviously quite bitter dominated by strong piney, citrusy hop character. There is a nice malt character as well, though. Very subtle cookie-like, breadiness. I wouldn't call it balanced but it gives the beer a nice malt backbone.

Medium bodied with some light carbonation. Despite the overall bitterness it finishes with a touch of sweetness.

A dangerously drinkable beer!

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2008 16:32:28 | More by BillyB

Boto

Connecticut

4.6/5  rDev +10%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

750ml bottle: This was bottle "285", from the original hand bottled series. Sampled 9-27-08. This had a cap and a cork in the bottle. Mine poured without any head on it at all. The color is a darker, orangish-amber color. I'm assuming that the hope aroma has diminished over time. It still has a very nice pine aroma to it, mixed with notes of citrus and caramel, although I'm not getting any sweetness. The taste is great. The bitterness had diminished almost to the point of non-existence. What has resulted is a mix of caramel, pine, grapefruit, other dark fruits. A touch of sweetness to the finish. Boy, is this great. I need to get a fresh one for comparison.

Serving type: bottle
@ Pizza Port San Clemente, 301 N El Camino Real, San Clemente

09-27-2008 20:35:48 | More by Boto