Big Hop IPA | East End Brewing Company
Brewed by:
East End Brewing Company
Pennsylvania, United States | website
Style: American IPA
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 5.80%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
The first of the brews from Pittsburghs newest and MICRO-est microbrewery to hit the streets. Truly, a hopped-up American IPA with loads of Centennial and Cascade hops, and just barely enough malt backbone to balance it out. Our flagship brew
Added by WVbeergeek on 12-07-2004
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 100 | Ratings: 254
3.49/5 rDev -10.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Had on tap at a local tavern the other night, got it for half price so I thought to give it a try.
Appearance: Copper/gold with a bit of a head that sank into the glass leaving a nice lace around the rim.
Smell: Sharp, citrus, pine, hops, crisp and with a bite.
Taste: A bit muddled at first, it feels like the hops want to shine through more but struggle a bit compared to the other flavors going on. After a few sips the hops began to build up on me and came out a bit fuller with a good citrus and tangy aftertaste. A bit herbal at times with hints of pine and bread towards the later sips as the drink warmed up.
Mouthfeel: Medium to thin body as the temperature warmed up a bit. Kind of muddled and cloudy mouth feel.
Overall: If you can get it for a good price you cannot go wrong! I am friends with the man at the tavern and he hooks me up all the time with happy hour deals whenever I am there. However, I would not go out of my way to buy this in a bottle or pack alone. Tons of better hoptastic beers out there to try but still a solid and fair choice overall just nothing super fancy going on.
★ 1,111 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Had on tap at a local tavern the other night, got it for half price so I thought to give it a try.
Appearance: Copper/gold with a bit of a head that sank into the glass leaving a nice lace around the rim.
Smell: Sharp, citrus, pine, hops, crisp and with a bite.
Taste: A bit muddled at first, it feels like the hops want to shine through more but struggle a bit compared to the other flavors going on. After a few sips the hops began to build up on me and came out a bit fuller with a good citrus and tangy aftertaste. A bit herbal at times with hints of pine and bread towards the later sips as the drink warmed up.
Mouthfeel: Medium to thin body as the temperature warmed up a bit. Kind of muddled and cloudy mouth feel.
Overall: If you can get it for a good price you cannot go wrong! I am friends with the man at the tavern and he hooks me up all the time with happy hour deals whenever I am there. However, I would not go out of my way to buy this in a bottle or pack alone. Tons of better hoptastic beers out there to try but still a solid and fair choice overall just nothing super fancy going on.
★ 1,111 characters
4.5/5 rDev +15.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured from the new 12oz can into a tulip glass
Look: Nice amber color with about 1 inch of head
Smell: Citrusy/Malty/Piney
Taste: A bit on the malty side but still getting nice hints of citrus and pine. A nice well balanced IPA for those who are not hop heads.
Feel: Medium bodied with great carbonation out of the new cans
Overall: This is a solid well balanced IPA that is easy drinking and goes great on a nice summer day. Nice blend of maltiness and hops. Great IPA for someone who isn't a hop head. Now available in 12oz cans which makes this nice and portable. Another solid offering from the crew at East End!
★ 628 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured from the new 12oz can into a tulip glass
Look: Nice amber color with about 1 inch of head
Smell: Citrusy/Malty/Piney
Taste: A bit on the malty side but still getting nice hints of citrus and pine. A nice well balanced IPA for those who are not hop heads.
Feel: Medium bodied with great carbonation out of the new cans
Overall: This is a solid well balanced IPA that is easy drinking and goes great on a nice summer day. Nice blend of maltiness and hops. Great IPA for someone who isn't a hop head. Now available in 12oz cans which makes this nice and portable. Another solid offering from the crew at East End!
★ 628 characters
3.53/5 rDev -9.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Paid the toll on this on $4.25 for the single at the House of 1,000 beers.
Very cloudy IPA with good lacing sticking to all sides. Smell is quite good hoppy bite. Taste is a good balance of malt and hops with a very homely taste.
Overall I kind of regret buying this its not clean or crisp tasting compared to cheaper alternatives. Skip this one if its over 3 dollars a pop.
★ 377 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
Paid the toll on this on $4.25 for the single at the House of 1,000 beers.
Very cloudy IPA with good lacing sticking to all sides. Smell is quite good hoppy bite. Taste is a good balance of malt and hops with a very homely taste.
Overall I kind of regret buying this its not clean or crisp tasting compared to cheaper alternatives. Skip this one if its over 3 dollars a pop.
★ 377 characters
3.85/5 rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
From 05/29/15 notes at August Henry's in Pittsburgh, PA. 16 oz. pour in a pint glass.
Decent IPA...not super hoppy, more malty, but easy to drink. Some pine, light bitter bite. Would give it another shot but not a hop bomb.
★ 224 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
From 05/29/15 notes at August Henry's in Pittsburgh, PA. 16 oz. pour in a pint glass.
Decent IPA...not super hoppy, more malty, but easy to drink. Some pine, light bitter bite. Would give it another shot but not a hop bomb.
★ 224 characters
3.55/5 rDev -8.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
On tap at Claddaghs
Appearance: Copper color with a one finger off white head
Smell: Citrus and pine, grassy, light grainy malt
Taste: More well rounded than the smell. First some funky, grainy malt with grassy notes, then mellows out into a citrus and floral aftertaste. Its pretty unrefined
Mouthfeel: Medium body; As with the taste, the feel is unrefined as well with bitterness throughout
Overall: There are WAY too many great IPAS available (especially during the summer) to consider this a good one. It's pretty decent, but the funky, grainy aspect of it kind of throws me off. Its pretty much the opposite of clean. Good aftertaste though. If it were labeled a pale ale I may have rated it a little higher. I'm sure I'll have this again as it's local to me, but I'm not going to seek it out. It's worth a try, but I'm not entirely sure I recommend it.
★ 863 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
On tap at Claddaghs
Appearance: Copper color with a one finger off white head
Smell: Citrus and pine, grassy, light grainy malt
Taste: More well rounded than the smell. First some funky, grainy malt with grassy notes, then mellows out into a citrus and floral aftertaste. Its pretty unrefined
Mouthfeel: Medium body; As with the taste, the feel is unrefined as well with bitterness throughout
Overall: There are WAY too many great IPAS available (especially during the summer) to consider this a good one. It's pretty decent, but the funky, grainy aspect of it kind of throws me off. Its pretty much the opposite of clean. Good aftertaste though. If it were labeled a pale ale I may have rated it a little higher. I'm sure I'll have this again as it's local to me, but I'm not going to seek it out. It's worth a try, but I'm not entirely sure I recommend it.
★ 863 characters
4.21/5 rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Surprisingly wonderful after-taste. It's got the taste of the promised hoppiness, but it's perfectly balanced with just enough malt flavor. The light malt flavor knocks down the sharpness of the hopps so the hop taste remains without the battery acid mouth-feel of other very hoppy pale ales.
★ 294 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Surprisingly wonderful after-taste. It's got the taste of the promised hoppiness, but it's perfectly balanced with just enough malt flavor. The light malt flavor knocks down the sharpness of the hopps so the hop taste remains without the battery acid mouth-feel of other very hoppy pale ales.
★ 294 characters
3.79/5 rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
A-amber color with a nice white head and decent lacing
S-bready malt, citrus, pine, slight herbal
T-grapefruit, pine, bread, light caramel, slight herbal, moderate bitter finish
F-medium body with moderate carbonation, crisp
O-decent IPA, easy drinking
★ 256 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
A-amber color with a nice white head and decent lacing
S-bready malt, citrus, pine, slight herbal
T-grapefruit, pine, bread, light caramel, slight herbal, moderate bitter finish
F-medium body with moderate carbonation, crisp
O-decent IPA, easy drinking
★ 256 characters
3.69/5 rDev -5.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
The Big Hop is a solid drinkable ipa. It poured a copper clear with white head that left a spotty lace. The scent was bitter with slight citrus backing. The taste was nice and ever...but bitter enough to make sure you knew it was an ipa. The mouthfeeel was medium in body with good carbonation. Overall....solid.
★ 317 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
The Big Hop is a solid drinkable ipa. It poured a copper clear with white head that left a spotty lace. The scent was bitter with slight citrus backing. The taste was nice and ever...but bitter enough to make sure you knew it was an ipa. The mouthfeeel was medium in body with good carbonation. Overall....solid.
★ 317 characters
3.5/5 rDev -10%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Enjoyed this on tap out a pint glass.
A: Pours a golden thick white head that quickly dissipates.
S: Mild hop and malt aroma.
T: Similar to the smell there is a good balance between bitter hops and sweet malt.
M: Medium body and medium carbonation
O: Decent IPA – nothing special.
★ 287 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Enjoyed this on tap out a pint glass.
A: Pours a golden thick white head that quickly dissipates.
S: Mild hop and malt aroma.
T: Similar to the smell there is a good balance between bitter hops and sweet malt.
M: Medium body and medium carbonation
O: Decent IPA – nothing special.
★ 287 characters
3.74/5 rDev -3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
12 oz can > SA Sensory pint
A - Murky orange with a huge 3 finger thick bubbly off-white head, thick lacing.
S - Aroma is kinda basic, pine, orange zest, grapefruit, caramel malts.
T - Taste is pretty much on par with the aroma, lots of bitter grapefruit and pine, orange zest, sweeter malt notes underlying
M - Dry soapy bitterness, kinda chalky
O - A decent IPA thats been around the burgh a while.
★ 400 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
12 oz can > SA Sensory pint
A - Murky orange with a huge 3 finger thick bubbly off-white head, thick lacing.
S - Aroma is kinda basic, pine, orange zest, grapefruit, caramel malts.
T - Taste is pretty much on par with the aroma, lots of bitter grapefruit and pine, orange zest, sweeter malt notes underlying
M - Dry soapy bitterness, kinda chalky
O - A decent IPA thats been around the burgh a while.
★ 400 characters
3.59/5 rDev -7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
A: Poured from the growler into a nonic pint glass. Forms a moderate sized off-white head. Reduces to a stable very thick and creamy surface coating. Beer itself is a dull rusty orange. Mostly clear, but there is a lot of yeasty sediment on the bottom of the growler.
S: Aroma is pretty good, but nothing earth-shattering. Typically American IPA aroma. Pine and grapefruit with a sweet, lightly malty background.
T: Taste is more of the same, but with a name like "Big Hop" I was expecting a bit more in the way of hops. Mildly sweet caramel malts. A touch of nuttiness. Hops are mostly pine with some citrus pithiness. Quick finish.
M: Medium bodied. Lower bitterness. Appropriate carbonation. A bit watery.
O: Well a better-than-average, but still not overly exciting IPA. A fairly easy drinker with a modest ABV makes this one sessionable.
★ 849 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
A: Poured from the growler into a nonic pint glass. Forms a moderate sized off-white head. Reduces to a stable very thick and creamy surface coating. Beer itself is a dull rusty orange. Mostly clear, but there is a lot of yeasty sediment on the bottom of the growler.
S: Aroma is pretty good, but nothing earth-shattering. Typically American IPA aroma. Pine and grapefruit with a sweet, lightly malty background.
T: Taste is more of the same, but with a name like "Big Hop" I was expecting a bit more in the way of hops. Mildly sweet caramel malts. A touch of nuttiness. Hops are mostly pine with some citrus pithiness. Quick finish.
M: Medium bodied. Lower bitterness. Appropriate carbonation. A bit watery.
O: Well a better-than-average, but still not overly exciting IPA. A fairly easy drinker with a modest ABV makes this one sessionable.
★ 849 characters
3.23/5 rDev -17%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
on tap at hawthornes - served in Duvel tulip
Pours a deep copper color, nearly purple in some shades with a thin layer of beige head, fading out completely.
Pretty understated nose with touches of fruity hoppiness and toasted malts. Lightly sweet with caramel and berry.
Snap of hoppiness up front, juicy fruit with orange peel and berries. A bit sweet, layered onto the caramel malts with toasted grain and bread. Finishes hoppy and dry.
Medium body, decent carbonation, dry and chewy on the tongue. Certainly not poor, but there's just too many top flight IPAs all over the place these days for this not to get lost in the shuffle.
★ 639 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
on tap at hawthornes - served in Duvel tulip
Pours a deep copper color, nearly purple in some shades with a thin layer of beige head, fading out completely.
Pretty understated nose with touches of fruity hoppiness and toasted malts. Lightly sweet with caramel and berry.
Snap of hoppiness up front, juicy fruit with orange peel and berries. A bit sweet, layered onto the caramel malts with toasted grain and bread. Finishes hoppy and dry.
Medium body, decent carbonation, dry and chewy on the tongue. Certainly not poor, but there's just too many top flight IPAs all over the place these days for this not to get lost in the shuffle.
★ 639 characters
3.55/5 rDev -8.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
On tap at Industry public house the other evening.
The beer pours a copper orange color with fairly decent head retention and light lacing. Don't get a whole lot on the nose in this one... just some light dry citrus, a hint of malt (sort of reminds me of malted vinegar without the vinegar), and something of a cereal grain aroma. The flavor profile replicates the nose pretty closely in this nicely balanced, on the dry side IPA. As the previous reviewer noted, this really comes across as more of an English style IPA, and so I think calling this a "Big Hop" anything is something of a misnomer. Frankly, I was hoping for more of an American styhle IPA in this beer, as there's really not much citrus or hoppy bitterness in the finish in this one. Mouthfeel is medium bodied and smooth, with the carbonation dialed down quite a bit. Finish is fairly long and the alcohol is completely undetectable.
Had this beer prevoiusly on cask, and I thought perhaps the cask conditioning played a role in killing the hop profile in this one. Nope. The version I had at the public house was very, very similar to the cask version I had previously.
Not awful, but very much a "mehhhh" in this one I think.
★ 1,198 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
On tap at Industry public house the other evening.
The beer pours a copper orange color with fairly decent head retention and light lacing. Don't get a whole lot on the nose in this one... just some light dry citrus, a hint of malt (sort of reminds me of malted vinegar without the vinegar), and something of a cereal grain aroma. The flavor profile replicates the nose pretty closely in this nicely balanced, on the dry side IPA. As the previous reviewer noted, this really comes across as more of an English style IPA, and so I think calling this a "Big Hop" anything is something of a misnomer. Frankly, I was hoping for more of an American styhle IPA in this beer, as there's really not much citrus or hoppy bitterness in the finish in this one. Mouthfeel is medium bodied and smooth, with the carbonation dialed down quite a bit. Finish is fairly long and the alcohol is completely undetectable.
Had this beer prevoiusly on cask, and I thought perhaps the cask conditioning played a role in killing the hop profile in this one. Nope. The version I had at the public house was very, very similar to the cask version I had previously.
Not awful, but very much a "mehhhh" in this one I think.
★ 1,198 characters
4.06/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Interesting oily and hoppy tones mixed in on this one. I've had this several times and this seems the best sample to date. Nice hop tones, but it's not screaming in your mouth. There's an almost English tone to it that seems to let a good bit of malt in to balance things out. This is not a hop bomb or anything along those lines. I consider it more of an English ipa with stronger hoppy tones than you normally find.
★ 417 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Interesting oily and hoppy tones mixed in on this one. I've had this several times and this seems the best sample to date. Nice hop tones, but it's not screaming in your mouth. There's an almost English tone to it that seems to let a good bit of malt in to balance things out. This is not a hop bomb or anything along those lines. I consider it more of an English ipa with stronger hoppy tones than you normally find.
★ 417 characters
3.45/5 rDev -11.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Had a pint at Capone's near Philly. It made a decent pairing with my roast beef sandwich, but I expected more hops. It poured a hazy orange with a short white head. The big citrus flavor came off soapy, and the sharp, bitter edge felt and tasted muted—a good IPA has more kick. Maybe I got an old keg? I'll give this another try next time I see it, but I wasn't impressed.
★ 374 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Had a pint at Capone's near Philly. It made a decent pairing with my roast beef sandwich, but I expected more hops. It poured a hazy orange with a short white head. The big citrus flavor came off soapy, and the sharp, bitter edge felt and tasted muted—a good IPA has more kick. Maybe I got an old keg? I'll give this another try next time I see it, but I wasn't impressed.
★ 374 characters
3.97/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Aroma: Big bold hop aroma, a nice dose of malt to balance (attempt anyways). Hops are mostly pine, resinous.
Appearance: Pale gold. Quite hazy. Tall white head. Good retention. Mild lacing.
Taste: Lots to taste here. Pine hops, some mild citrus, quite bready. Maly is moderate, Munich and pale, some pils maybe. The hop wallop is nicely balanced by the malt.
Mouthfeel: Medium-low body. Very mild carbonation. The finish is moderately dry.
Overall: Quality brew. A bit funky. Easily drinkable, yet mildly bold and complex enough.
★ 533 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Aroma: Big bold hop aroma, a nice dose of malt to balance (attempt anyways). Hops are mostly pine, resinous.
Appearance: Pale gold. Quite hazy. Tall white head. Good retention. Mild lacing.
Taste: Lots to taste here. Pine hops, some mild citrus, quite bready. Maly is moderate, Munich and pale, some pils maybe. The hop wallop is nicely balanced by the malt.
Mouthfeel: Medium-low body. Very mild carbonation. The finish is moderately dry.
Overall: Quality brew. A bit funky. Easily drinkable, yet mildly bold and complex enough.
★ 533 characters
3.48/5 rDev -10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
This is definately a first for me and pours a hazy orange honey hue with a creamy two finger head and subtle lacing,the smell is citrus and pine infused hops with sherbet not much else really,the mouthfeel is just over lightbodied and like they state the hops dont get much of a say in this mouthfeel which leaves really unbalanced for me and the taste is all about the hops too with tastes of mandarins,piney bitter hops,grapefruit,kumquats and finished with that ever present piney hop bitterness and overall i like my IPA's but this one is really unbalanced and would prefer a HOP HOG to be honest cheers.
★ 608 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
This is definately a first for me and pours a hazy orange honey hue with a creamy two finger head and subtle lacing,the smell is citrus and pine infused hops with sherbet not much else really,the mouthfeel is just over lightbodied and like they state the hops dont get much of a say in this mouthfeel which leaves really unbalanced for me and the taste is all about the hops too with tastes of mandarins,piney bitter hops,grapefruit,kumquats and finished with that ever present piney hop bitterness and overall i like my IPA's but this one is really unbalanced and would prefer a HOP HOG to be honest cheers.
★ 608 characters
3.24/5 rDev -16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Served in 10 oz chalice glass
Appearance – Served a orange golden color with a good deal of haze. There was a nice large two finger head upon serving that slowly receded over time. Once dissipated, the head leaves a nice deal of lacing to be seen.
Smell – The smell is a bit light for an IPA. There are lighter hints of citrus and a little bit of floral mixed with some sweet caramel malt aroma.
Taste – The taste is of more earthy hop flavors and caught me off guard at first. The earthy hops really hold their ground throughout the taste and more toward the middle meet up with some of the sweeter flavors that were detected in the nose and the lightest bit of pine. These sweeter and earthy flavors largely take the taste to the end.
Mouthfeel – The body was medium to slightly above medium in thickness with a slightly above average carbonation level.
Overall – The earthiness of the brew made it quite unique in my opinion as all the hop flavor, for the most part, was of its origin. In some ways this earthiness made it very delightful, but somewhat one-dimensional in other ways. This beer would be one that I would have to be in the mood for to go for again( which I likely will be).
★ 1,207 characters
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Served in 10 oz chalice glass
Appearance – Served a orange golden color with a good deal of haze. There was a nice large two finger head upon serving that slowly receded over time. Once dissipated, the head leaves a nice deal of lacing to be seen.
Smell – The smell is a bit light for an IPA. There are lighter hints of citrus and a little bit of floral mixed with some sweet caramel malt aroma.
Taste – The taste is of more earthy hop flavors and caught me off guard at first. The earthy hops really hold their ground throughout the taste and more toward the middle meet up with some of the sweeter flavors that were detected in the nose and the lightest bit of pine. These sweeter and earthy flavors largely take the taste to the end.
Mouthfeel – The body was medium to slightly above medium in thickness with a slightly above average carbonation level.
Overall – The earthiness of the brew made it quite unique in my opinion as all the hop flavor, for the most part, was of its origin. In some ways this earthiness made it very delightful, but somewhat one-dimensional in other ways. This beer would be one that I would have to be in the mood for to go for again( which I likely will be).
★ 1,207 characters
3.8/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured a slightly orangish gold with good two0finger head that quickly dies, leaving lace on top of a standard aroma of piney, citric hops, touch of grape (?) and minor sweet caramel malt. Found this beer to be a bit thicker, sweeter, breadier, as the malts are in play more than they should be until a very dry, piney and floral hop tidal wave crushes them, leaving a citric back bite. Not as smooth or as balanced as most IPAs I've had; this seems to be well-reviewed beer but the draft I had was pretty good but nothing blew me away.
★ 536 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured a slightly orangish gold with good two0finger head that quickly dies, leaving lace on top of a standard aroma of piney, citric hops, touch of grape (?) and minor sweet caramel malt. Found this beer to be a bit thicker, sweeter, breadier, as the malts are in play more than they should be until a very dry, piney and floral hop tidal wave crushes them, leaving a citric back bite. Not as smooth or as balanced as most IPAs I've had; this seems to be well-reviewed beer but the draft I had was pretty good but nothing blew me away.
★ 536 characters
4.3/5 rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Fresh keg tapped week ago
Light and hazy
Smells of cascades overcome all
Great carbonation and hop presence
yummy hops hops hops
Overall local favorite of mine in ipa category..very drinkable for all the hop heads out there...a must try if ever in Pittsburgh,PA
★ 262 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Fresh keg tapped week ago
Light and hazy
Smells of cascades overcome all
Great carbonation and hop presence
yummy hops hops hops
Overall local favorite of mine in ipa category..very drinkable for all the hop heads out there...a must try if ever in Pittsburgh,PA
★ 262 characters
4.15/5 rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
East End Big Hop on tap.
Hazy true amber. Some red-orange hues. Creamy head. Great lacing.
Stinky piney hops of a potent pellet nature. Pine sap, grapefruit pith, spicy/floral notes, as well. Pine forward with a wacky aromatic bitterness and semi-sweet malt undertone.
Massively bitter hops. Pine crazy and super dry. The flowery flavors also come to fruition. Much drier than the smell. Clean and crackery. Can't get over the mega-bitterness. Battery acid tongue. Macerates the palate. Unreal. Some grassiness, Swiss chard, mint, let's just describe this as green.
Silky with a carb that's held in check. Light on booze.
A local hit. East End does a really good job on many of their brews. I look forward to the Harvest, but drink this in the meanwhile.
★ 759 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
East End Big Hop on tap.
Hazy true amber. Some red-orange hues. Creamy head. Great lacing.
Stinky piney hops of a potent pellet nature. Pine sap, grapefruit pith, spicy/floral notes, as well. Pine forward with a wacky aromatic bitterness and semi-sweet malt undertone.
Massively bitter hops. Pine crazy and super dry. The flowery flavors also come to fruition. Much drier than the smell. Clean and crackery. Can't get over the mega-bitterness. Battery acid tongue. Macerates the palate. Unreal. Some grassiness, Swiss chard, mint, let's just describe this as green.
Silky with a carb that's held in check. Light on booze.
A local hit. East End does a really good job on many of their brews. I look forward to the Harvest, but drink this in the meanwhile.
★ 759 characters
2.37/5 rDev -39.1%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5
I have been wanting to try this beer for a long time.
From tap into a pint glass.
A: Pours a carmel-amber color with a nice 2 finger sticky head.
S: Only hops, Nothing else. I sniffed it 3 or 4 times toget something else out of it but couldn't find anything.
T: Mild lemony hops up front with an overpowering hop bitterness. Some mild biscuity flavor and a tiny bit of maltyness. This beer is pretty one dimensional. There are way to many IPA's out there to make a beer this plain.
Mouthfeel: I will say that for an IPA this has a decent mouthfeel. Not chewy, but not watery either.
Overall: I give it a 2.5. I hope I get a chance to try it again. Maybe I got a bad batch.
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look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5
I have been wanting to try this beer for a long time.
From tap into a pint glass.
A: Pours a carmel-amber color with a nice 2 finger sticky head.
S: Only hops, Nothing else. I sniffed it 3 or 4 times toget something else out of it but couldn't find anything.
T: Mild lemony hops up front with an overpowering hop bitterness. Some mild biscuity flavor and a tiny bit of maltyness. This beer is pretty one dimensional. There are way to many IPA's out there to make a beer this plain.
Mouthfeel: I will say that for an IPA this has a decent mouthfeel. Not chewy, but not watery either.
Overall: I give it a 2.5. I hope I get a chance to try it again. Maybe I got a bad batch.
★ 678 characters
3.98/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
had this one the other day for the first time.
appearence- a nice hazy yellowish brown with a small white head
smell- smells of nice fresh hops
taste- for a ipa it was spot on. It was not two bitter but still had the hoppy good taste. I could imagine anyone drinking this regardless of they like the style or not.
m- right amount of carbonation
o- this beer was real delightful find. I wish i could get six packs or cases somewhere. I know they sell growlers of it. East end brewery is an up and coming brewery in pittsburgh and big hop ipa is a great brew. Cheers
★ 569 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
had this one the other day for the first time.
appearence- a nice hazy yellowish brown with a small white head
smell- smells of nice fresh hops
taste- for a ipa it was spot on. It was not two bitter but still had the hoppy good taste. I could imagine anyone drinking this regardless of they like the style or not.
m- right amount of carbonation
o- this beer was real delightful find. I wish i could get six packs or cases somewhere. I know they sell growlers of it. East end brewery is an up and coming brewery in pittsburgh and big hop ipa is a great brew. Cheers
★ 569 characters
4.32/5 rDev +11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a dark amber/brown with some white head
Big cascades in the aroma with plenty of citrus and tropical fruits, some sweetness.
"Big Hops" in the taste but not overbearing. Well balanced between bitterness and burnt sugar.
Nice flagship from East End
★ 256 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a dark amber/brown with some white head
Big cascades in the aroma with plenty of citrus and tropical fruits, some sweetness.
"Big Hops" in the taste but not overbearing. Well balanced between bitterness and burnt sugar.
Nice flagship from East End
★ 256 characters
Big Hop IPA from East End Brewing Company
3.89
out of 5
based on 254 ratings.
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
On tap at Primanti Bros in Cranberry PA. Nice deep clear amber color with a quickly dissipating light cream head. Very pronounced caramel malty nose with a hint of dank piney hops. A little more malt forward than a typical IPA, but this is actually a nice thing. I enjoyed having this after a hard day paint balling. Would gladly have again.
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