GrowHop Series - Amarillo IPA
Phillips Brewing & Malting Co.

GrowHop Series - Amarillo IPAGrowHop Series - Amarillo IPA
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From:
Phillips Brewing & Malting Co.
 
British Columbia, Canada
Style:
American IPA
ABV:
6.5%
Score:
89
Avg:
3.99 | pDev: 7.02%
Reviews:
10
Ratings:
17
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Feb 29, 2016
Added:
Apr 26, 2012
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  1
From the mighty towers of Brewbylon comes this fresh crop of hops, ready to put your dreadlock in a headlock. This round we highlight another of our favourites, the almighty Amarillo.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by CalgaryFMC:
Photo of CalgaryFMC
Reviewed by CalgaryFMC from Canada (AB)

3.74/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Here's another single-hopped IPA for ya, courtesy of one of my favorite Canuck west coast breweries. Right after I found and enjoyed Simcoe in a "Hop Box" mixed pack, this one took its place in circulation. Attractive label. Amarillo is known for citrus flavors (orange in particular) and an almost medicinal bitter herbal character. This brew showcases these characteristics well. Poured a classic IPA cloudy honey color, just shy of orange, with a majestic white crown that left more than the average amount of lace on the glass. Aroma was citrus forward, musty dry grapefruit and orange, some floral elements, and a rich fermented tropical sweetness that recalls pineapple. As is often the case with such beers (and rightfully so), the hop flavors predominate, with some honey and caramel sweetness in the background and perhaps a little burnt toast. Orange and grapefruit citrus, aspirin, cantaloupe, and nectarine flavors lead the charge while some onion, hemp seed, and nettles bring up the rear. The sweet aroma contrasts with the earthy, pithy bitter finish that recalls tannins from a spice seed like fennel. A pine or spruce component accumulates on the palate and cuts the moderately chewy body. A little of that glorious mouth-numbing character you get in many double IPAs. I find that Amarillo hits more musty, dry citrus notes whereas some other flavor hops (e.g., El Dorado) are sweeter like candy. Bad medicine, where bad is in fact good of course. This would have made a great 1890 patent remedy ... Bitter, fruity, herbal, makes you feel well.
Nov 30, 2013
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.37 by BcCraft710 from Canada (BC)

Feb 29, 2016
 
Rated: 3.5 by 604growler from Canada (BC)

Nov 28, 2013
Photo of LampertLand
Reviewed by LampertLand from Canada (BC)

3.89/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Phillip's Brewing 'Amarillo IPA' @ 6.5% , served from a growler purchased for $10

A-pour is a light gold from the growler to glass with a good size white head leaving a sticky lace along the pint

S-citrus , grapefruit & orange rind

T-a biting citrus start , big bitter finish

MF-medium carbonation , almost full bodied

Ov-ok beer , digging the freshness

prost LampertLand
Oct 14, 2013
Photo of biboergosum
Reviewed by biboergosum from Canada (AB)

3.96/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
341ml bottle. I do like the Amarillo hopadillo depicted on the label.

This beer pours a hazy pale golden yellow hue, with two fingers of puffy, densely foamy, and somewhat silky eggshell white head, which leaves some weird alligator skull lace around the glass as it gently subsides.

It smells of musty orange and grapefruit citrus pith, a bready, crackery caramel malt, a touch of earthy yeast, and a further wooden leafy hoppiness - simply, and duly beguiling. The taste is now led off by the pleasantly woody, leafy hops, quite reminiscent of a cedar cigar box, followed up gamely by a grainy, sort of biscuity pale caramel maltiness, resinous herbs, and more spiced orange and lemon citrus hop esters.

The carbonation is a tad peppy up front, but generally easygoing thereafter, the body a decent medium weight, and actually quite smooth, a small feat given the dialed up hoppiness. It finishes off-dry, the fruitiness of the hops and the standby malt keeping things in a happy state of balance.

One of the better of this Growhop series, the Amarillo varietal obviously capable of holding down the fort, and producing a well-rounded IPA. As I listen to 'Wynona's Big Brown Beaver', I cannot help but think of 'Matt's Little Green Armadillo'.
Sep 29, 2013
Photo of andrenaline
Reviewed by andrenaline from Canada (ON)

4/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Props to joemcgrath27 for digging through the crates to procure this treat.

A - Pours slightly hazy pale golden colour, finger of head with solid retention and some sporadic lacing.

S - Nice sweet cedar and citrus hops, buttery caramel on the finish and a hint of leafy greens.

T - Surprisingy bitter, with sour citrus dominating, some resiny metallic flavours linger alongside the sour citrus rind on the finish.

M - Medium bodied, smooth and a rich of dryness.

O - A tasty IPA that really highlights the scent and flavour profile of this particular hop strain. Definitely worth checking out and a great way to learn to appreciate the various hop strains.
Oct 06, 2012
Photo of joemcgrath27
Reviewed by joemcgrath27 from Canada (AB)

4.17/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
the last of the current grow hop series i have yet to try, i dug through a few stacks of mixer packs to find this
A - fairly hazy golden, thumb of head retained exceptionally well
S - big pineapple and grapefruit, mild grain and light leafy greens
T - tropical fruit hops are more subdued than the nose, matched by herbal and grassy hops, light grainy malt
M - light and medium carbonation, juicy and mildy bitter, very easy drinking
O - its been a while on some, but this is probably my fave of the grow hop series, tasty and easy drinking with a complex hop mix that is balanced in and of itself
Oct 06, 2012
 
Rated: 3.75 by schopenhauerale from Arizona

Aug 16, 2012
 
Rated: 4.25 by ChuckGnarly from Canada (BC)

Aug 06, 2012
Photo of ericj551
Reviewed by ericj551 from Canada (AB)

4.33/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Phillips GrowHop Amarillo pours a bright gold with a nice white head that lingers. The aroma is a big punch of sweet citrusy hops with tons of orange and grapefruit. Lots more bright hops in the flavor, with a lot of floral and citrus notes. There is a nice nutty malt character present in the background. The finish is bitter, but not overwhelmingly so. This beer is an excellent showcase for one of my favorite hops.
Aug 02, 2012
Photo of Converge
Reviewed by Converge from Canada (AB)

4/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
341ml bottle poured into a 16oz tulip.

A - Pours a medium copper-amber color with a nice creamy head. As with most Phillips labels, I like the design a lot. However, the head retention and lacing is lacking a bit here, especially for a Phillips brew. Head settles to a thin film that leaves patches of lace here and there, but nothing substantial.

S - Light citric notes of orange and grapefruit, with some pine and mango. Quite fragrant, with floral and spicy hop notes coming through as well. Mild malty undertones of toffee and sweet caramel malt.

T - A little less fruit in the hop profile than the aroma hinted at. Floral and spicy hop notes, with a reserved citrus quality. Finishes with a kick of fresh pine, floral spice, and a hint of onion lingering in the aftertaste. Subtle bready malt sits in the background and provides a touch of balance, but this brew is all about the Amarillo.

M - Low carbonation, with a smooth and drinkable feel. Medium weight to the body, with a slight syrupy feel.

D - A decent single hop IPA from Phillips, although I enjoyed this a little less than their usual hoppy brews. A tasty offering nonetheless, and one I'm glad I got to try before it disappeared (assuming it isn't brewed again).
Jun 07, 2012
Photo of Rutager
Reviewed by Rutager from Canada (BC)

3.95/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Thanks to Greg for hooking me up!

Appearance. Pours a fairly clear yellow gold with half a finger of white head tht leaves some decent lacing.

Smell. Lightly toasted grains, some spicy floral hops and a bit of orange and grapefruit.

Taste. Pretty big floral hops, a bit of lightly roasted grains and some lemons and grapefruits. Some earthy, citrus rind bitterness in the end.

Mouthfeel. Below medium body, medium carbonation.

Overall. Nice beer with a distinct hop taste ...Amarillo would be my guess ;-) but I'm no hop expert.
Jun 07, 2012
 
Rated: 4.5 by trail77 from Canada (BC)

Jun 06, 2012
Photo of wordemupg
Reviewed by wordemupg from Canada (AB)

4.1/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
341ml bottle poured into tall pilsner glass 22/5/12

A clear golden copper with lots of bubbles feeding a two finger head that retains quite well, partial rings of lace are thick and link up but remain distinct

S floral hops and orange rind are quite strong unlike the booze that's not there in any form, just a little lemon and spruce

T slightly spicy with a herbal aspect, everything I smell is still there with even more rind then the smell and just a little toffee for balance

M mild bitterness, carbonation leaves it feeling a little fluffy, no booze detected and a nice lingering floral rind aftertaste

O very well rounded brew that nearly got 4.5 in one or two places, higher grade here to compensate

I like the little hop armadillo creature on the label, quite clever and the beer's great too, went down very fast and I could drink several more and I just might thanks to my Hop Box
May 22, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by jmdr from Canada (AB)

May 15, 2012
 
Rated: 3.5 by bumchilly25 from Canada (BC)

May 09, 2012
Photo of canucklehead
Reviewed by canucklehead from Canada (BC)

3.77/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Nice to see this as part of the GrowHop 12 pack and also at the BCLS. The Amarillo is a pretty conservative hop which makes this IPA smell and taste more like a hoppy pale ale than the citrus and grapefruity C hops. I liked the beer and found it easy to drink but hoppy enough to keep my attention. less bitter than the Hop Circle with a nice balanced finish. Phillips should release this as a pale ale as part of their regular lineup.
Apr 27, 2012
GrowHop Series - Amarillo IPA from Phillips Brewing & Malting Co.
Beer rating: 89 out of 100 with 17 ratings