Hoppe
Southern Tier Brewing Company

HoppeHoppe
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From:
Southern Tier Brewing Company
 
New York, United States
Style:
American Pale Ale
ABV:
8%
Score:
90
Avg:
4.03 | pDev: 11.17%
Reviews:
424
Ratings:
524
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Oct 14, 2021
Added:
Apr 02, 2007
Wants:
  17
Gots:
  10
Imperial pale ale
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Wonka:
Photo of Wonka
Reviewed by Wonka from Maryland

3.9/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
650 ml.
Alc. 10% by vol.
4.0 L
2-row pale malt
malted white wheat
kettle hops: Columbus
aroma hops: Amarillo
dry hop: Amarillo, Columbus

Served at 50 degrees (above the recommended 42 degrees)

Appearance: golden, clear body; light carbonation rises throughout; nice rocky 1.5-inch head with reasonable retention to the end

Smell: ripe orange, pine, table sugar/light toffee, bready, floral; pleasant – the hops don’t bowl me over

Taste: not what I was anticipating; a welcome curve on the imp IPA (labeled as "imperial extra pale ale"); citrus rind, table sugar, dark bread backbone mixes with a touch of alcohol and the combo is a bit too dominant; par for the course, hops liven up the aftertaste; I wish the flavor would more mirror the nose

Mouthfeel: oily open; light/moderate carbonation – less than what I have seen in the class – and I certainly like a bit of crispness; as expected, the hops dry back of throat

Drinkability: quite drinkable; intrigue alone kept me drinking my first and only sample; the balance issue turns off the experience a bit

This isn’t for the massive hophead but it could fit for those that can handle a slight curveball. Even the expected hop burps actually have some balance. It’s a quality brew.
Sep 16, 2007
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.05 by LesDewitt4beer from Minnesota

Oct 14, 2021
Photo of OKCNittany
Rated by OKCNittany from Oklahoma

4.2/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
from very old notes
Mar 22, 2018
 
Rated: 4 by heysuz from Indiana

Oct 30, 2017
 
Rated: 4 by brittanylicious from Indiana

Oct 29, 2017
Photo of barczar
Reviewed by barczar from Kentucky

4.03/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Another 2011 that got away from me in the cellar, figured I'd open it at 5 years. Rating set to current average.

Aroma is caramelly, with notes of toffee and dates. There's a touch of sherry oxidation.

Flavor is lightly vegetal throughout. Fairly sweet, with a resiny, fairly bitter, dry finish. There's a hint of citrus that lingers. Not the malt bomb or oxidized mess I anticipated.
Sep 17, 2016
Photo of rodbeermunch
Reviewed by rodbeermunch from Nevada

3.36/5  rDev -16.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Chunky haze in a glowing yellow beer. Hit the grassy summertime lemonade notes in the aroma. Almost Sorachi like hop aromas. Undated bottle not on me or the shop. . .

Taste did smack with hops and alcohol. Biscuity malt, toasted, bitter hops. Wish there was more flavor to the hopping beyond that grassy lemon tree vibe.
Feb 24, 2016
 
Rated: 4.43 by jsh420 from Illinois

Oct 15, 2015
 
Rated: 4 by olradetbalder from Sweden

Nov 21, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by zestar from California

Aug 06, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by BuzzFee from Illinois

Jul 05, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by HoppyBastard1 from Pennsylvania

Jun 15, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by ArsMoriendiOU818 from Virginia

Jun 08, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by jaydoc from Kansas

Jan 23, 2014
Photo of Jadjunk
Reviewed by Jadjunk from Georgia

3.1/5  rDev -23.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
"The simplicity of Hoppe tests the skill and ability of the brewer to create something truly majestic. We craft this much like a sculptor who uses only a hammer and chisel to shape stone into a masterpiece. Hoppe is spawned of these few essentials: barley, wheat, hops, yeast and water. This limited palette is an exercise in minimalism, with refined elements that are deliberately selected. This simple combination creates a golden shimmering brew infused with delicate aromas. The artful nature of this beer is exposed with the first taste. As the malt and hops create a composition of flavors, an elegant finish leaves an impression that your tastes will not soon forget. Don't be deceived by the innocence of Hoppe. Please enjoy in moderation." Brewed in the style of an Imperial Pale Ale. In retirement for quite some time, this has become a big craft fan favorite and one of Southern Tier's most talked-about discontinued beers.

Poured from a 22 oz. bottle to a Southern Tier snifter. Served above 50º Fahrenheit.

(Appearance) Hoppe pours a whipped cream head of a golden-white consistency over a mildly hazy medium amber body. Carbonation is small and relaxed. Retention is above average, leaving light streaked lacing. 3.75

(Smell) Fruit hop aromas against a very potent grainy malt background. Aromas of biscuit, tannins and ethanol gain with the aroma. Aromatically, it's past its prime. 3

(Taste) Some herbaceous hop flavor prevails, but stands aside nothing enjoyable. Finishes with a peppery flat hop finish aside a grainy, faded malt body. Very harsh flavors on account of age, much like in the aroma. 3

(Mouthfeel) Mildly dry, slightly slick. Carbonation adds some froth and light crispness. Body is medium for the style, medium overall. Alcohol presence is high in its current status. 3

(Overall) I wouldn't buy any old bottles of this beer no matter what the price is. While Hoppe is regarded as an excellent beer by Southern Tier, there's not enough substance to keep it drinkable for long beyond fresh. I hope that Southern Tier pulls this beer out of retirement, perhaps to repackage in 4 packs. I hope to get the chance to re-review this beer one day soon. 3.25

Southern Tier Brewing Company's
Imperial Hoppe (Extra Pale Ale)
/5.00
Jan 06, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by BillRoth from Maryland

Dec 15, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by jkd03c from Florida

Oct 23, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by hopkrid from Florida

Oct 14, 2013
 
Rated: 5 by athomasPSU from Massachusetts

Sep 18, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by crbnfbr from Kentucky

Aug 12, 2013
Hoppe from Southern Tier Brewing Company
Beer rating: 90 out of 100 with 524 ratings