Focal Banger
The Alchemist

Focal BangerFocal Banger
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From:
The Alchemist
 
Vermont, United States
Style:
New England IPA
Ranked #19
ABV:
7%
Score:
100
Ranked #78
Avg:
4.57 | pDev: 7.22%
Reviews:
700
Ratings:
4,522
Status:
Active
Rated:
Mar 12, 2024
Added:
Jul 07, 2010
Wants:
  1,856
Gots:
  1,362
Focal Banger® is an American India Pale Ale. We have a real love for IPAs here at The Alchemist and we strive to offer you the best hop experience that we possibly can. The beer is brewed using Citra and Mosaic hops and our favorite British malts. Truly an abundance of malty goodness.

Freshness and control have always been my main concern when it comes to our beer. We are committed to providing you with an unfiltered and unpasteurized hop experience. Why do I recommend that you drink it from can? Quite simply, to ensure a delightful hop experience. The act of pouring it in a glass smells nice, but it releases the essential hop aromas that we have worked so hard to retain.

If you MUST pour it into a glass, you may find that some of the hop resins have settled to the bottom -- leave them in the can when pouring. This beer is perishable and at its best when it is young, fresh, and hazy. Keep it cold, but not ice cold. Drink this beer today, you could be dead tomorrow ... -- John Kimmich
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
 
Rated: 4.58 by DrBass from Maryland

Mar 12, 2024
Photo of matcris
Reviewed by matcris from Arizona

4.49/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Orange, grapefruit, pine, dank, mild onion, both in aroma and flavor.

Head recedes fairly quickly, mild lacing.

Medium full body, bright carbonation, very dry, and balanced more like an APA; bitter over sweetness.

Reminds me a bit of a cross between DFH 60 and a 90.

Nice, quality brew, but I would go for HT over this one everytime.
Feb 23, 2024
Photo of Dakin
Rated by Dakin from Utah

4.9/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
It's smooth as fuck but packed with flavor. You can't beat it. Has to be in my top 10 beers.
Feb 06, 2024
 
Rated: 4.26 by beersgud from Kansas

Jan 28, 2024
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Reviewed by Roxchambeau from New Jersey

4.77/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
From the back of the cooler - Score!

Drank from the can, so look is null. Smell of citrus, some pine resin, and a background of tropical fruit. Taste follows, with bitter and pithy grapefruit. This brew is closer to more widespread "fruity, hazy IPA", but the hops are just so totally showcased with an extra dimension missing from most brews. Average carbonation and pretty standard mouthfeel for the style. Not as standout as Heady, but an excellent IPA and definitely unique. So glad I was able to try!
Jan 26, 2024
 
Rated: 4.94 by JMBoyer from Massachusetts

Jan 06, 2024
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Rated by Spoklahoma from Connecticut

5/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Perfection in a can.
Jan 03, 2024
 
Rated: 4.5 by Samnem from Pennsylvania

Dec 25, 2023
Photo of mvanaskie13
Reviewed by mvanaskie13 from Pennsylvania

4.45/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Poured into a goblet: color is straw gold, hazy but not murky/dense, head is brighter white with mostly fine bubbles, head presents one finger thick, dissipating to solid top. Left 1/3 in can to taste in parallel to glass poured liquid.

Smell is oh so enticing - citrus pith, light onion, hint of pine, herbs, mango, oat, wheat, biscuit.

Taste is more citric forward, pith and orange, earth and onion, pine and herbs, wheat/oat/biscuit grain flavors.

Mouthfeel is soft carbonation, moderate sweetness, moderate bitterness; lingering pith bite on the tongue.

Overall an excellent NEIPA - aroma/flavor/feel are all emphatic; I think I prefer it to Heady Topper but might have to taste simultaneously to confirm.
Dec 22, 2023
Photo of MalteredBeast
Reviewed by MalteredBeast

4.53/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Lives up to most the hype. I prefer the overall experience of FB over heady but I love the dank smell of heady. Both great beers but not only is focal a better all arounder, it’s much more crushable.
Dec 21, 2023
 
Rated: 4.49 by rojapa from New York

Dec 20, 2023
 
Rated: 4.71 by TheRealBen from Massachusetts

Dec 20, 2023
Photo of russpowell
Reviewed by russpowell from Arkansas

4.6/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Pours a hazed gold/honey color with one finger of eggshell colored head. Stellar lacing & head retention, didn't see a ton of floaties; did pour it with finesse, which doesn't always happen

S: Oranges, melons, some pineapple & papaya once warmed up

T: Pomelo, oranges, limes & grapefruit up front, dryness as well & a little pine kiss up front. Sweet orange, lime, grapefruit & green melons as this beer warms up, along with plenty of dryness/piney notes . Finishes dry with pineyness, grapefruit & a little green melon to balance things out & just a little peach at the end

MF: Medium body, creamy carbonation, nice balance that tacks bitter

A juice bomb that will please most purists not fake fruity or over sweet here. So drinkable
Dec 17, 2023
Photo of Bryan-K
Rated by Bryan-K from Pennsylvania

4.24/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Well done, garlic/onion plus pithy citrus rind and hop resins that coat the mouth. Heady without the blast of weed
Dec 14, 2023
Photo of dnoahg
Reviewed by dnoahg from Massachusetts

4.82/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
Canned on 11/20/23. Poured into an Imperial pint glass. 1-finger head that never dissipates. Pours a hazy straw color.The hop blast when you open the can is delightful. But I’d be lying if I said I was discerning grapefruit (which I always liked but haven’t been able to experience for 20 years or more thanks to statins, so I’m a little rusty). What I can say is the beer has a moderate citrusy flavor but the malt sweetness is more prevalent. Overall, an excellent beer drinking experience.
Dec 12, 2023
 
Rated: 4.74 by Dougwillhike from New Jersey

Dec 03, 2023
 
Rated: 4.65 by BeerJesus from South Carolina

Dec 02, 2023
 
Rated: 5 by JLaw55 from Missouri

Dec 01, 2023
 
Rated: 5 by Nyoder

Nov 26, 2023
 
Rated: 5 by bazpat from Scotland

Nov 21, 2023
Focal Banger from The Alchemist
Beer rating: 100 out of 100 with 4522 ratings