Total Eclipse Black Ale
Hoppy Brewing Co.

Total Eclipse Black AleTotal Eclipse Black Ale
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From:
Hoppy Brewing Co.
 
California, United States
Style:
Black IPA
ABV:
5.6%
Score:
80
Avg:
3.51 | pDev: 16.24%
Reviews:
61
Ratings:
99
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Dec 24, 2016
Added:
Jan 12, 2003
Wants:
  2
Gots:
  4
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Photo of rodbeermunch
Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada

3.35/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
This may have been the first true black ale I ever had. Has the black appearance, consistency and viscosity like a schwarzbier, 3/4" brown head. Hopping in the nose is apparent, also like a schwarzbier.

Taste is all over the place, you get the dark roasted notes producing a coffee like feel, the bitter hops, smoke, dark fruit. Wow. Continually remains relatively dry and highly carbonated throughout.

Everything they make is always in the bomber format, but it isn't as big of a bummer as most breweries, these are usually kept in the $4-5 range.
Dec 24, 2016
 
Rated: 3.82 by LXIXME from New Mexico

May 05, 2016
Photo of BWood
Reviewed by BWood from California

2.97/5  rDev -15.4%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.25
Had this on tap at the brewery.

L: dark with great lacing.

S: meh. Not much there.

T: malty with chocolate at the end. Slight hop character. Not bad but nothing to praise either.

F: it reminds me of a porter with its look and taste but doesn't have that smooth feel.

O: average beer. I do not think I would buy it except while I was at the brewery.
Apr 18, 2016
 
Rated: 4.59 by tfsimpkins from Florida

Apr 04, 2016
 
Rated: 3.5 by Rojada1988 from Pennsylvania

Oct 03, 2015
 
Rated: 3.92 by joe_sf from California

May 24, 2015
 
Rated: 3.37 by jdelenikos89 from California

Nov 12, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by wrightst from Maryland

Aug 10, 2014
 
Rated: 1.5 by cmgage from California

Jul 02, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by Latarnik from New Jersey

May 27, 2014
Photo of BierJager89
Reviewed by BierJager89 from California

4.06/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A: Black with a medium brown head.

S: Chocolate, roasted malt, coffee, plum and other dark fruits in the nose.

T: Chocolate, coffee, roasted malt, really good.

M: Smoothish, and full bodied.

O: Tasty, if a bit boring. Recommended if you can find it. I think it's their best beer, but don't be fooled by the brewery's name. Their beer's are seldom very hoppy.
Feb 06, 2014
Photo of ronniebruner
Reviewed by ronniebruner from Arizona

2.59/5  rDev -26.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2.5
Of all the beers I have had in my life, I cannot remember having one that is so foamy! I was afraid to set the bottle down because every time I did, foam right out the top! Take a drink? Foam! Now, there are a few redeeming qualities about this brew...it does have a nice appearance of dark black molasses, but it tastes of burnt wood. The mouth feel is also going to be rated low by me as well for the unacceptable amount of foam I encountered in this beer. I even let it sit for some time thinking maybe I inadvertently shook it up, but I do not believe that to be the case. When I lived in the Sacramento area I used to frequent the Hoppy Brewery and remember it being a bit run down and I made a trip to Sacramento recently and brought back 2 cases of Hoppy brews. Gotta say I was disappointed. Oh well, next up?
Jan 19, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by AnthemOfTheSun from Nebraska

Jan 13, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by IdrinkGas from Pennsylvania

Nov 24, 2013
Photo of hikanteki
Reviewed by hikanteki from California

4.35/5  rDev +23.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a 22 oz bomber ($4.49 at BevMo) into a pint glass.

Appearance: The head rushes up. The initial pour was about 20% beer and 80% head, although it settled down pretty quickly and I was able to top it off to a reasonable amount.

Smell: Heavy citrus, with some bitter cocoa coming through.

Taste: Like it smells, and that's a good thing. Citrus and hops first, then cocoa and hops, followed by toffee and hops, and then just hops. But it's interesting how the hops come back strong with each layer. Consequently a bitter aftertaste with some citrus.

Mouthfeel: Pleasant. Not too thin, not too thick, but it coats your mouth and stayed with me. Satisfied.

Overall: I'm not sure whether this is supposed to be a Black IPA or a Stout. It simply says "Black Ale." But whatever it is, it's a darn good beer. It pushes the bitterness level for a stout, and pushes the mouthfeel for an IPA. Well done, Hoppy.
Nov 19, 2013
 
Rated: 3.25 by harpus from Alabama

Sep 17, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by sevenshubby from California

Sep 08, 2013
 
Rated: 3.25 by acurtis from New Jersey

Aug 25, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by djrn2 from New Jersey

Aug 25, 2013
Total Eclipse Black Ale from Hoppy Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 80 out of 100 with 99 ratings