Modus Hoperandi - Ska Brewing Co.

CHickman

New York

4.3/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Beer review from 7/8/2012: pours hazy reddish amber color with a creamy 1 finger tan head that faded and left a creamy layer on top and great foamy lacing and rings as it went down.

Smells of grapefruit, blood oranges, citrus hops, floral hops, caramel, sweet malt, light grains and juicy hops like mango or other citrus fruit; a really nice smelling IPA that has a bit of booze, but enough sweetness to cover it and make it inviting.

Tastes of grapefruit, blood oranges, citrus hops, floral hops, caramel, sweet malt, grains, brown sugar, light spices like cinnamon, pepper and coriander, piney hops/pine cones and more juicy hops like mango or pineapple, almost like wet hops were used. Very tasty out of the can and on par for a solid West Coast IPA. The aftertaste is bitter and either chalky or like tobacco residue, but still enjoyable.

Mouthfeel is creamy and smooth, with light fizzy carbonation, a medium body and sweet bitter aftertaste.

Very tasty overall, this was a juicy brew that was full of citrus flavor, easy to drink and hid the ABV very well. I'd definitely have this again if I can get it on the East Coast.

Serving type: can

07-25-2012 02:52:30 | More by CHickman

RuckusDu

Colorado

3.93/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - The slightly beige head grew slowly to about a finger. Body is super clear and maybe an orange/amber color. Slight lacing.

S - Just straight up hops. Piney, some grapefruit. Pepper.

T - Lots of bitter hops. Simple and green tasting. Very piney. It's harsh, but because of the simplicity, quite nice.

M - A light body and moderate carbonation.

O - Really just a simple well done beer. Not much to say, but at $1.50 or whatever, how can you complain?

Serving type: can

07-24-2012 02:35:56 | More by RuckusDu

ThickNStout

Georgia

3.73/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

12oz can. Best by 8/2/12. Served in a Southern Tier snifter. 

Pours murky amber with a thick 2 finger cream head. A nice bit of sticky lacing all the way down. 

The hop smells lean towards the floral/herbal/piney side. Pretty nice but nothing special. 

Mild to moderately bitter with more of that pine and floral hop that the nose indicated. Slight citrus and a bit of sweet bread. Overall a pretty good balance. 

Fairly light body with moderate carbonation. Slightly sticky dry finish with no noticeable booze. 

While I don't seem to like this as much as the general population does it really is a solid IPA. Not my favorite but a well balanced, easy drinking beer. The other few my friend left in the fridge for me shall not go to waste but I won't be clamoring to find more. 

Serving type: can

07-11-2012 02:37:04 | More by ThickNStout

VncentLIFE

North Carolina

4.15/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Id heard such good things.

Lots of sticky resinous hops on the nose, with a good amount of lemons and other sweet tropical fruits. Very balanced taste, upfront sweetness from both the sticky malt and slick lemons, oranges, and mangoes. Flash of bitterness comes and goes, only slightly. Finishes clean with a slight metallic feeling upon exhale.

Exceptionally balanced, slightly sweet, and just the right dry hop flavors. I think I found a new top 3 IPA.

Serving type: can

07-01-2012 00:12:09 | More by VncentLIFE

parris

Massachusetts

3.7/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Aggressive pour from can into small glass

Grassy and citrus aroma

Amber/copper color, very good clarity, Thin head, not much carbonation apparent.

Sweet malt up front, a bit metallic, quickly followed up with grapefruity, hoppy bitterness. The hops really linger.

Medium body, good carbonation, I enjoy the level of carbonation more drunk from the can than glass.

Overall a solid IPA, I'm pretty impressed with how long the hop bitter lingers for.

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2012 22:26:37 | More by parris

JuicesFlowing

Kansas

4.55/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a standard pint glass. The beer is a clear dark orange mahogany/copper color. A foamy cream colored head dissipates to chunky, bubbly film. Lots of sticky lacing. The beer smells piny, woody, and slightly citric. The beer tastes like a good IPA should: bright bitter hops, and a clean fresh pine wood accent. The finish is that of pinon wood. Tasty. The mouthfeel is medium bodied and dry.

Overall, highly impressed. I've seen this beer on the shelf for years, and just couldn't pull the trigger. It's got some interesting flavors in it that are delicious.

Serving type: can

06-22-2012 23:19:49 | More by JuicesFlowing

buck1futter

Illinois

4.43/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A- Very clear copper, with an orange hue. Nice big thick frothy head that sticks around for most of the glass, lacing last throughout.

S- Very Very sweet, with a lot of pine. Bready character also makes it's way through. All comes together to make a very floral aroma, very nice.

T- Mild bitterness at start, beginning from the tip of the tongue down the sides, with the carbonation tipping off the top. The malts and hops balance each other really good, the malt meets in the middle then lets the hops finish the beer slightly dry. After taste is like a nice baked bread. Piney hops and bready malts.

M- Slightly water downed, but easy to drink with mild carbonation, not the best mouth feel you want on a beer but pretty decent, and that makes it an excellent summer beer.

O- A very solid IPA, easily on my top ten ipa's and making its way to the top 5. It is very balanced for an ipa still hoppy of course and pairs with food very well, bbq, sandwiches, etc. My go to beer that I can take to the river or lake. Superb.

Serving type: can

06-19-2012 01:52:39 | More by buck1futter

KingRascal

4.53/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Look: Deep red amber/bronze with a thick and foamy off-white head

Aroma: Smooth floral hop scent, very citrusy

Taste: Bold and robust hop flavor, very floral, with a smooth and pleasant aftertaste

Feel: Thick and frothy with an imprint left on the tongue

Overall: A very tasty and rich IPA that goes down smooth

Serving type: can

06-18-2012 05:55:59 | More by KingRascal

ferrari29

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Beer poured from can into a Nonic shaped pint glass

A - Beer pours with a thick creme colored head, about one finger in size; nice layer of lacing forms around the edge of the glass; translucent dark orange/amber colored body; not very carbonated; head holds well

S - Citrus and roasted malt; pine trees and bitter hop; caramel; rosy and floral

T - Roasted malt and deep citrus hop taste right down the middle of your tongue; caramel; pine

M - High hop bitter aftertaste; tangy around the sides of your tongue; rich buttery malted taste; slightly creamy

D - Very good IPA; easy to drink and pleasure from start to finish; really deep bitter aftertaste

Serving type: can

06-17-2012 01:52:14 | More by ferrari29

fmccormi

New York

4.28/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Straight pour from 12oz can to an oversized wine glass (HF stemware). Best-by date of August 30, 2012 printed in blue ink on the bottom collar of the can (right on the side, right next to the very bottom: “10:07 BEST BY 08/30/12”)

Appearance (4.0): About one finger of very fine foam with a light khaki color, fading to a haze on top of the body, leaving fine sheets of lacing. The body is a very nice reddish-amber color, slightly hazy and rich-looking.

Smell (4.0): The hop profile jumps out first with a very resinous, extremely floral character—slightly piney, a little dank, and sweet-smelling with orange and sweet citrus tones in back. There’s caramel maltiness here that fuses well with that sweet floral-citrus character, which really is ideal, to me, for an IPA like this.

Taste (4.5): On the palate, the hops come out as much more piney, and moderately dank: all the bitterness is locked up in pine needles and what turns into a strong citrus pith character. Classic American, and very well done. There’s that sweet citrus character underneath the bitterness again, melding with a moderate (but definitely noticeable) caramel tone that anchors everything. Very, very nice, and very well done. No alcohol and no yeast noticeable here, just really clean, full-flavored, and drinkable.

Mouthfeel (4.5): Right on the money here, too. Just on the full- side of medium-bodied, tingly carbonation that’s never coarse but also never dissapointing, foaming nicely on the way down. And the body is dry but oily, like a good dry-hopped IPA ought to be. Damn solid.

Overall (4.0): Can I give it 4.25? I’ll go low here to err on the side of caution. This is a really, really solid IPA, and I’m very glad to have tried it. To think that a lot of folks in this country can pick this up for $10/ sixer is ridiculous, though I suppose a lot of folks feel the same about Flower Power, which I am blessed with! This is a well-crafted, smooth, full-flavored and bold IPA that fits the style to the American T. Way to go, Ska.

Serving type: can

06-14-2012 00:48:32 | More by fmccormi

ChiPool

Illinois

4/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Can dated best buy 9/26/12.

Poured into a Lagunitas mason jar. A bit on the low side when it comes to carbonation. A bit of head, but a respectable amount of retention. Nice aromatics: earthy hops, followed by sweet malts.

This is a nice, balanced IPA with a great price tag.

Serving type: can

06-12-2012 01:38:22 | More by ChiPool

BierStein711

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Can into mug

Four finger off- white head

Amber color

Smells: floral hop, hemp, alcohol

Taste: hop, apricot, piney notes

Mouthfeel: too much carbonation for me.

Overall, try this one. You may like it. The can turned me off at first. But, it adds to the beer's underground persona.

Serving type: can

06-03-2012 05:00:05 | More by BierStein711

Goblinmunkey7

Massachusetts

4.08/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Courtesy of TimmyJ21.

Appearance: Burnished copper. Head is small and drops to a tiny wispy collar after a few minutes. Touches of lacing. Very clear. Moderate carbonation on the pour.

Smell: Oily, dank and citrusy. Nice backing of pine resin. Huge hits of orange and grapefruit. A touch of pith, and low-grade weed. Malts run a little sweet and give a nice backbone to the hop presence. Some caramel sweetness as well. A touch of roasted malt.

Taste: Same pithy bitterness as the nose with a slightly oily pine needle finish. A building bitterness on the swallow. Orange and grapefruit assert themselves and help to balance some of the more bitter aspects. Malts are a little dialed down from the nose and provide a mild backing sweetness. Touches of mint. Mild roasted character with a bready finish.

Mouthfeel: A little thinner than I like with the style, meaning it runs a little under medium. Carbonation is on point and lends itself to a smooth, slightly creamy mouthfeel. Touch of lingering dryness.

Overall: Definitely a solid IPA in a can. I wouldn't mind having access to this on a regular basis. Looks like Colorado scores another point in the "We make excellent beer" department.

Serving type: can

05-28-2012 20:06:14 | More by Goblinmunkey7

bump8628

Oklahoma

4.2/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Can at Star Bar in Denver (I love this place). Hop hazy orange-gold. A big blast of American hops hits the nose as soon as the can is popped. Pouring into a glass opens things up even more. Huge pine and citrus, bit of mango, dank herbal notes too. Clean malt with just a wisp of caramel sweetness. Juicy and vibrant. Bitter, yes, but the hop flavor/aroma is at the fore. Damn good canned beer at a damned good establishment.

Serving type: can

05-23-2012 18:35:08 | More by bump8628

phishsihq

Colorado

3.93/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

We've been saying it all along...Crafts Can Can!

Modus Hoperandi, from Ska Brewing Company and located in Durango Colorado, pours a golden amber, capped by one-inch of white foam that provides for a very sticky lace. Resiny pine aromas and grapefruit notes fill the nose, with some caramel malt hints as well. The hop aromas from the nose are also present in the flavor profile, and quickly become SUPERBLY balanced by sweet caramel malt flavors. Modus Hoperandi is very well balanced IPA that is also medium-light in body with a lower level carbonation. Fun to say, and even more fun to enjoy!

Cheers!

Serving type: can

05-15-2012 01:50:53 | More by phishsihq

denver10

Colorado

3.75/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a burnt orange with a thumb and a half width cream colored head and nice lacing. Bright and citric aroma of orange rind and a healthy dose of pine alongside some caramel malt. A very crisp, bold aroma. Starts of with some orange and its rind, a mixture of fruity and bitter, then comes some pine and some malty sweetness shows iself in the finish. A little bit of a bitter after taste. A active, crisp medium body with kinda a dry finish. Overall, a good IPA. Not my favorite style but one of the better, if not best, SKA beers I have so far tried.

Serving type: can

05-12-2012 22:37:09 | More by denver10

Etan

Illinois

4/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz can into a Spiegelau tulip.

A: Pours a dark orange with a decent off-white head. Leaves some very nice lacing.

S: Nice nose of bitterish citrus rind, sweet grainy malt, orange, pine, grapefruit.

T: Grass, pine, orange pith, big citric bitterness, mint, caramel malt, slight alcohol, grain. Pleasing mild malt sweetness lingers.

M: Fine carbonation, medium-bodied.

O: Really tasty and drinkable IPA.

Serving type: can

05-09-2012 22:46:58 | More by Etan

stampfler07

Georgia

4.1/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Pours an amber golden with a significant head that is quite frothy

S- Strong pine and juniper hop aromas, what I think of when I think of an IPA aroma, definitely my favorite part of the beer

T- Strong hop flavor off the bat with minimal bitterness until towards the end, slightly warming, grassy notes on the finish, very green throughout, slight malt sweetness in the middle provides a good balance in the taste

M- Low carbonation, medium body, lingering warmth and feel on the aftertaste

O- Really liked this one, love the smell and I love that there is some good balance even though it's got a ton of hop flavor

Serving type: can

04-24-2012 23:49:45 | More by stampfler07

tobelerone

New Jersey

4.23/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Hazy dark orange/gold color; very small head that falls almost instantaneously; patchy lace. A little odd-looking. Nose is balanced between sweet caramel malt and piney, spicy, resiny hop notes.

The taste is a bit more hop forward than the nose, with strong bitterness, lots of pine, resin, and citrus notes, and a nice caramel malt backbone with restrained but present sweetness. Semi-dry finish with both lingering bitterness and a touch of sweetness.

Medium full-bodied with moderately low carbonation; very smooth, creamy, and satisfying mouthfeel. Another excellent IPA in a can!

Serving type: can

04-18-2012 04:25:01 | More by tobelerone

blackcompg

Illinois

4/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from their 12oz can...

Appearance - Poured nearly 2 fingers of eggshell head, color of the beer is a transparent deep orange copper, looks fantastic. Light webbed lacing coats the entire glass.

Smell - Pineapple, citrus, grapefruit, fresh green hops.

Taste - Whoah, tons of fresh, brite citrus. Grapefruit, orange zest, lemons, also fresh green floral hops, and then bitter citruses, grapefruit rinds and some pine long into the finish. There is a light pineapple citrus malt sweetness that comes along for the entire ride.

Mouthfeel - Lite to medium mouthfeel, fairly ample medium carb, lots of crisp edges from the carb that transition to the more bitter and dryer citrus and hop flavors that go long into the finish.

Overall - This IPA is so brite and refreshing, a real eye opener. Just the slightest sweetness in the back, but so well balanced. Great complexity of citrus fruits and peels, and fresh green floral hops, an excellent beer.

Serving type: can

04-13-2012 04:05:50 | More by blackcompg

GossageBrewery

Missouri

4.53/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Poured this American IPA from a 12 oz can into a pint glass. Poured a dark orange amber color, slightly hazy, produced a nice thick off white head. Excellent retention and lacing left on the glass. Aroma of this AIPA consists of wonderful pine and citrus- some malted grain aroma as well. Medium in body this IPA features a base of malted grain, super pine flavor, herbal notes and citrus orange. Somewhat bitter this is the perfect IPA session beer- It doesnt make your face pucker but it has an awesome amount of hop flavor. Excellent Beer! I will be seeking this one out again. Prost!

Serving type: can

04-05-2012 01:50:43 | More by GossageBrewery

minnesotaryan

Minnesota

4/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The bar tender at the Aspen Brewing Co recommended that this was worth bringing home, he was definitely right.

Poured into a pint glass, pours a nice golden orange, 1 finger head that was rather wet and dissipated, very nice lacing.

Orange and grapefruit, lots of pine. Some grassy and earthy notes. Very hoppy.

Follows the nose, lots of citrus, orange peel, lemon, lots of pine, not much on the malt end. Very bitter finish.

Nice mouthfeel, good carbonation, dry finish.

A good and very hop forward IPA, a little balance would be nice, but overall this is a good American IPA.

Serving type: can

04-03-2012 01:25:43 | More by minnesotaryan

sitarist

Ohio

3.9/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours amber in color, a bit of haze, one finger of off white head falls to a ring that leaves spots of lacing.

Scents of pine, biscuit, and citrus. It is sweet, and herbal.

I taste grapefruit, honey, bread, and cannabis. Nice mix of sweet and bitter.

Medium body, light carbonation, a bit sticky. Sweet up front with a long astringent finish.

Love the name, love the can, and the beer is good too. Uneventful, but solid. I would drink more of this.

Serving type: can

03-29-2012 22:32:24 | More by sitarist

Nugganooch

California

3.95/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

“Lip Up Fatty”

12 oz. can to pint glass – BB date is smeared but looks to be in 05/2012

A: Modus pours a dark orange amber hue with some light hazing and a good two fingers of light tan head on it. Carb seems low with some large formatted bubbles and a bit of sticky lace on the glass.

S: Smells of dank pine needles with some light undertones of citrus fruits. Some sweet bready pale malts but real herbal in aroma.

T: Taste follows suit with a big evergreen presence. Very hempy and herbal, almost wet-hop like. Fresh clipped leaf with some sweet candied orange. Moderate level of bitterness, not offensively sharp. Nice bready pale malt base. Super sticky with lingering hop resins. Has some nice floral orange-blossom notes. Tasty stuff.

M: The mouthfeel is medium in body with a lighter feel overall. Somewhat smooth and creamy. Carb on the lower side it seems. Bit of drying astringency you get from dry-hopping with a sticky resinous mouth coating.

D: Very drinkable and again almost fresh hop like but in a can. Real floral, pine, and hemp flavs with an established bready pale malt.

I will be seeking this one out again for sure.

Serving type: can

03-29-2012 18:53:14 | More by Nugganooch

nrs207

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Poured with a 1 finger off-white head that leaves a really nice lacing after each sip. Color is a hazy golden orange. A little darker than most IPAs. Really nice looking.

S - This is really a citrus bomb. It smells really nice with a lot of pungent grapefruit thrown in. There is definitely a malt sweetness there too.

T - Backs up the smell, but not quite as good. There is a light bitterness, and citrus and grapefruit are the dominant flavors. It's pretty sweet to balance out the bitterness, but not overpowering. I'm one who thinks 90 Minute can be overly sweet, but this is a nice balance of sweetness without going overboard at all.

M - Fairly smooth and creamy. No alcohol presence. Well carbonated.

O - I'd definitely buy this again. The malt backbone could hold up over time. I have a feeling this isn't super fresh, but it's solid. Definitely recommend. I normally don't find IPAs to be flavorful enough, but this one was. I normally stick to DIPAs for this reason.

Serving type: can

03-28-2012 22:47:58 | More by nrs207