River Horse Hop Hazard Pale Ale - River Horse Brewing Co.

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - A pretty hazy amber brown with a slight layer of head that looks very sticky.

S - Initial smell is a very nicely hoped pale ale. Not so much as a "hazard" but a good balance of hops to malt.

T - For me the initial taste is mostly malt maybe a touch of hops in the finish but nothing to label "hazard" since it has no lingering hop flavors. Not bad though!

M - Light to medium a very balanced pale.

Overall I wouldn't write this off as a bad beer just not as hoppy as the label described. A very balanced pale ale overall. Would get it again but not distributed to PA

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2012 07:13:38 | More by DrDemento456

jtierney89

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Got from Spirits as a single bottle which means its probably been sitting around for a while (as that's really the only singles that every spirits in nj sells) Besides a faint skunk smell though the beer still seems good. Pours a golden amber color with a two finger white head thats nice and sticky. Very clear. After the slight skunk resides I can pick up some tobacco, and earthy herbalness and an underlying dried fruit taste.

Big body for a pale ale. Bitterness is decent. Chewy like graininess up front with a biscuit like sweetness. Some tobacco flavors on the back end which mask an underlying fruitiness. On the darker side of bright tasting but still bright none the less. Malt body holds the hops together pretty well.

Stella lacing.

Nice and different in the fact that it shows some earthy qualities yet manages not to taste like a barnyard. The faint fruit taste that's there manages to balance this earthiness but not with the normal tropical fruits I'm used to. Pretty different and packs quite a lot of flavor for a pale ale.

Flavors are layered very nicely.

I did enjoy this.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2012 03:53:11 | More by jtierney89

Guden

Maryland

3.93/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A- A hazy mid-copper with gold highlights and a one finger off white head that fades slowly leaving a trace of lace. Looks like a standard APA but a little hazy and a bit redder.

S- A lot going on here, bread, pineapple, wood, toffee and a little leather and alcohol. Not super strong but complex and appealing.

T- Up front the sweet, toffee and bready malt characteristics come through with a big floral, leafy and grassy middle that has a little bit of bitterness trailing off to a nice end of balanced malt and bitterness. Pretty good.

M- This one is an easy drinker with medium body and a mild carbonation that allows it to fill the mouth then go down smooth.

D- This isn't anything exceptionally fancy but it does everything it sets out to do. The flavor is complex in that it has many components but it isn't overly strong or lasting. I also wish the bitterness was just a tiny touch lower for this style. Pretty good beer I'd happily have again.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2011 20:36:18 | More by Guden

Florida9

Illinois

3.45/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Hazy dirty amber in color. Forms a decent sized white head that slowly reduces to a thick, stable surface coating. No lacing.

S: Aroma is a bit off for an APA. Caramel malts, cream, and floral hops. Maybe a little orange. But the mix comes off smelling stale.

T: A bit more balanced in the taste. Light caramel malts and a light, but noticeable, sweetness, along with some malty fruit flavors as well. Some orange, grapefruit and floral notes, but the hops are fairly subdued. However, this isn't an overly malty beer either.

M: On the lighter side of medium with appropriate carbonation and a mild bitterness.

O: A fairly average APA. Decent, drinkable, with no apparent flaws, but not necessarily something that I would bother with again.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2011 03:24:56 | More by Florida9

BeerLover99

New Jersey

3.08/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A: cloudy bubbly burnt orange, 2 finger head,
fine lacing

S: faint lemon grass, bit of floral scent

T: earthy/grassy, light malt, mild bitter semi-dry finish

M: light/med body, dry finish

O: Curious beer, perhaps the flavor
would be great for newbies, but
many seasoned beer vets will be
disappointed. ABV well hidden.

OK, NOT MUST HAVE!

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2011 17:00:20 | More by BeerLover99

VelvetExtract

Massachusetts

3.3/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A-Dark orange color. Transparent. Nice tight head that retains well and leaves textbook lacing. Nice looking beer.

S-Hmm. Nose is weak. How can this be called Hop Hazard if there is hardly any hop in the nose. The hops that are there are grassy. Grainy backbone. Light cracker malt.

T-Flavor is pretty mellow. I will say that the flavor is decently enjoyable. But boy, this beer is far from a Hop Hazard. Hops are floral and a bit citrusy. Malt may actually be more accentuated than the hop. Good balance for an APA. Definitely a letdown though.

M-Medium body. Moderate carbonation. Lightly bitter.

O/D-Disappointing. Not hoppy enough. Aside from that, its a decent APA. But don't call it Hop Hazard if its not very hoppy. But hey, the name got me to buy it didn't it?

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2011 04:18:28 | More by VelvetExtract

Daniellobo

District of Columbia

3.68/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A good APA with a sweeter and maybe maltier edge, which does not compromise much its drinkability.

Presentation: 12 oz brow capped bottle. Hippopotamus branded label with a security tape design/like warning of the Hop Hazard. Back paragraph offers a disclaimer about the lack of hops and a predominant balance… Shows 6.5% Alc. by Vol. Poured into a tulip glass.

A - Slightly hazy deep amber pour, 1" frothy head with fair retention, good surface memory and nice lacing.

S - Nose is somewhat subdued on the hops… with a nice sweet malty touch, and a hint of floral bitterness...

T - Taste follows in similar sync with a fair balance tilted by the caramel sense of the malt, hint of a hoppy edge moving to a finishing bitterness with some fruity touches.

M - Medium body, with medium low carbonation held up by the hop bitterness.

O - Good flow of a Pale Ale, a tad short and apologetic on the hop edge but pleasing nevertheless.

Notes: Dunno, it says American Pale Ale but at one point, maybe the hops are somewhat faded?, it feels more English than American. There is a fruity hint in the sweetness and that floral insinuation in the bitterness… Not something that I would personally brand as Hop Hazard, and the bottle description by way of a disclaimer is a bit pathetic, but overall the ale works decently.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2011 22:12:41 | More by Daniellobo

koopa

New Jersey

3.78/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle given to me as a gift from a buddy.

Appearance: Pours a deep iced tea with a 1.5 finger slightly off white (lightest red/brown tinge) billow crown that shows good retention and lace.

Smell: Nice bready and toffee malt presence with a decent dose of floral hops.

Taste: A touch soapy. The malt profile washes out a bit. The floral hops make a disjointed appearance towards the end and the beer finishes with a bit of bitterness.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with nice carbonation.

Overall: Drinkability is good thanks to the mouthfeel but the flavor hots it back from a better score.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2011 01:42:35 | More by koopa

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

2.63/5  rDev -25.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Bottle: Poured a light amber color ale with an average head with OK retention. Aroma consists of light dry caramel malt mix with some metallic and somewhat resinous hops. Taste is also a mix between a non-descript dry caramel malt base with some notes of resinous hops and a metallic aftertaste. Body is about average with good carbonation. There was definitely something off in that one and I am not likely to revisit anytime soon.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2011 17:38:13 | More by Phyl21ca

devinoconnor

New Jersey

4.33/5  rDev +22.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A little surprised to see this brew rated as a B. Maybe it's all the hop heads who expected a hoppier beer than what they got.

Pours an amber, golden color and the smell is fantastic. Not overly hoppy, barley and citrus.

Taste is very smooth. I love IPAs, but sometimes they are overwhelming and when you want to have a few, this is a much more well-balanced choice.

Nice beer, perfect for summer.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2011 17:33:51 | More by devinoconnor

rtepiak

Poland

3.48/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

after having some hammers its just not the same. the chemistry is off and has the finish of hard water. pour of amber with a bit of murk. nose of pine bark and a mind resin chalk floral and green pepper. palate is black pepper dry with a undertone of mild citrus that don't have fruitiness. earthy and mineral dominate the finish.

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2011 04:54:13 | More by rtepiak

micromaniac129

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a dark amber color with an average head, off white in color. The head is pretty dense.
It has a hazy look and is nicely carbonated.

Aroma is mostly sweet or caramel malts. Hops are light and very sutle.

Taste is mostly malt based. There is some bitterness from hops but hardly any hop flavor.
It can also detect a slight toffee finish.

A nice chewy mouthfeel, fairly thick in body and bitter at end with no aftertaste.

A good beer and I'd definitly could drink a few more.
If someone asked me what kind of beer this is, I would say an amber ale, because that's what it's pretending to be.

Serving type: bottle

07-13-2011 00:18:55 | More by micromaniac129

renegadeburger

New Jersey

3.68/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

awesome i think its time to really dig into these local brews been hearing good things about river horse lets give this a try

poured out into my snifter glass it had a nice uneven head of different size bubbles totally clear beer for me on the pour

nice subdued aroma i definitely could pick out some hops in there but not much else in there though

taste was good it seemed like it was a bit strong for a pale ale but hey why should i complain? i like it but the only thing is the end of the taste was a bit metallic

great mouthfeel a lot of carbonation was very refreshing on a hot day

overall a good beer glad they are a local brew

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2011 00:02:04 | More by renegadeburger

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.05/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

nice clean amber pour with loads of carbonation coming up to the surface to form a nice little head of white that was about an inch or so high. nice lacing coming down the sides of the glass as well. aroma is nice and tight, clean piney hop notes give way to grapefruit, light lemon grass and a decent touch of simple malts. crisp, clean, and completely drinkable flavor has me from the first sip. really easy to put down and i could see myself easily drinking 4 or five. nice sharp bite of hops on the front which mellows into a very well balanced and lightly sweet buttery flavor, but keeps it all very, very light. nice light nd slightly dry finish seals the deal for me.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2011 02:06:09 | More by mikesgroove

coalcracker

Pennsylvania

3.58/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Pours a dark copper with a little cloudiness. Carbonation is average.
Smell: A bit malty; also noting a tad bit of wet cardboard. Otherwise- some light citrus in the nose, a little spice as well.
Taste: Slightly delayed build-up to a flourish a hops that lie upon a malty base with a biscuity foundation. Hops are quite spicy and grassy in nature with only a little citrus-like element. Pretty well-balanced. The hops are certainly there but are nicely complemented by the malt base. Alcohol not too noticeable. Finish is quite clean and a bit dry.
Mouthfeel: Medium mouthfeel, smooth.
Overall: Pretty well-balanced APA. Kudos for going for balance rather than getting caught up in the hop-bomb competition. Pleasant.

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2011 01:25:39 | More by coalcracker

UDbeernut

New York

3.68/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

bottle poured into a cheater pint

a: amber with a 1/2" off white head with good retention. head reduces to a lacing cap, slight haze

s: inviting citrus nose, mainly of orange and grapefruit, slight caramel

t: bitterness from piney earthyness and citrus balanced well with a caramel backbone

m: medium bodied, slick and oily

o: a nice APA from a little known brewer

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2011 14:41:39 | More by UDbeernut

mvanaskie13

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a standard pint glass, nice dense of white head that clings the glass very well, color is dark copper to red.

Smell is a mix of roasted and caramel malt with a feint citrus bitterness.

Taste is bitter up front followed by the roasted/caramel malt with piney hop finish.

Mouthfeel is well done, probably closer to the mouthfeel of an IPA with strong flavors on the tongue and cheek but the carbonation is nicely done.

Overall, the taste and nose are good, but the appearance and mouthfeel pull this beer around. Nicely done.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2011 01:51:30 | More by mvanaskie13

DMXLOX22

Pennsylvania

3.48/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Picked this number up at my local deli/beer take out establishment Civera's deli.

Appearance: Poured a reddish, brown glow, that is also a bit light on the thickness, but still appealing. Very little to little amount of head.

Smell: Slighty roasted malt flavoring, with a certain scent of pine and grain.

Taste: First noticed malts that were easily appealing, but then a keen taste of lemon or orange Very attractive in its own way. Finishes off a bit dry, but still able to present itself without overwhelming.

Mouthfeel: Starts fresh and inviting, but improving to be a nice balance of carbanation and noteful tones that were to me at least a bit relieving, since I'm sorry to say, but expecting something tough and hoppy as hell. This had a nice balance of both.

My final thought is this beer was definitely an example of a changed perception at first taste. I went into this expecting something thick and full bodied and not something to be taken lightly (or to be drinked in large quantities) but I must say it is not fully matured but a great introduction and something new for the American IPA market. I would recommend this beer to anyone wanting a break from the norm and something maybe refreshing. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2011 02:16:10 | More by DMXLOX22

DJED69

New Jersey

3.23/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Not a bad brew. One of the better ones I've tried from River Horse. Now, I WISH they would make spectacular beer as I'm local to them, alas---no. This particular beer is a nice dark amber color with a decent head and some lacing left on pint glass. Aroma is of some hops and a bit of earthiness. Decent balance of hops and malt makes this brew quite drinkable. I do find that it has a bit of a funky, earthy quality to the taste (same as nose). Hop Hazard, no. The hop presence isn't that intense. Overall, for $9 a sixer, I would almost always reach for something else. Would be keen to try this on draft.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2011 19:59:02 | More by DJED69

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.6/5  rDev +2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

This beer pours out as a nice golden color with some lively head on it. The smell was on the hoppier side but it's not too hazardous. The taste is decent I expected it to be much stronger on the hoppy side because of the name on the label. The mouthfeel for this beer was alright too. I just felt that a beer with this kind of name it should be stand out in the flavor and stuff. This beer to me was a little disappointing in that sense. It's not a bad beer though.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2011 00:58:03 | More by Knapp85

tone77

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle. Has a cloudy dark brown color with a 1/2 inch head. Smell is dominated by hops. Taste is good, hops up front, a bit of malts and some notes of citrus. A little IPA like in it's flavor. Feels medium bodied in the mouth and overall makes for a solid offering.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2011 14:50:46 | More by tone77

Brianjames16

New York

4.22/5  rDev +19.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

* Tasted off tap at A & R Beverages In Seaford, NY*

A - pours a hazy copper with a beautiful fluffy two finger width head. Thin lacing on the glass dissipates somewhat quickly.

S - Nice aroma of pines, citrus, grapefruit and some malts.Nice balanced aroma.

T- Extremely balanced IPA taste. Nice subtle hop bitterness but not too harsh making it a great session beer. Citrus and pines blend well with a tangy grapefruit finish.

M- Light body and very refreshing IPA. Decent amount of carbonation give this beer a crisp finish.

O- A very drinkable and pleasing IPA. Great session beer for any occasion. Cheers!

Serving type: growler

03-26-2011 00:09:04 | More by Brianjames16

happy4hoppybeer

Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A=Light golden yellow/orange with minimal head,minimal lacing leaving very little to no lacing.

S&T=Some sweet maltiness, with thin traces of hops coming through.Good.

M=Medium-bodied,average carbonation, just the right amount.

Very drinkable,well done. Could have all night. While I wouldn't seek this out again or rec very highly, it makes a good session fallback brew.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2011 02:53:57 | More by happy4hoppybeer

Jimmys

Pennsylvania

3.45/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A: brown and amber all at once. not opaque, but plenty of yeast floating around in this unfiltered APA. carbonation bubbles interacting with the yeast on its way to the surface. creamy off-white head is finally starting to break.

S: citrusy, chalky hop aroma really fills takes up the nose. definitely not overbearing (which i was anticipating from the name)

T: hoppy. shocker. not as citrusy as the nose gave hint too. more on a mild-piney side. however, a great use of malt here providing a solid sweet/bready backbone detected between bitter sips.

M: a little softer than i prefer for the style. solid medium body.

D: easy drinking good APA, but not really blown away here. need a good all-day'er, grab a 6.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2011 03:33:49 | More by Jimmys

slonsk

New York

3.33/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Beer is typical of a pale ale in terms of color and faint head. Aroma is good and mild as expected. Not sure I understand why they called this hop hazard, especially because they mention its mildly hoppy. Given I'm a hiphopanotamus lover, i dont like to be led on. Flavor it self is good. Smooth, not so hoppy, but not my first preference for a pale ale, but very drinkable

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2011 01:16:15 | More by slonsk