Hop Hunter
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
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- From:
- Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
- California, United States
- Style:
- IPA - American
Ranked #762 - ABV:
- 6.2%
- Score:
- 90
Ranked #8,513 - Avg:
- 4.05 | pDev: 9.14%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Feb 17, 2022
- Added:
- Dec 01, 2014
- Wants:
- 181
- Gots:
- 1,412
SCORE
90
Outstanding
90
Outstanding
Notes:
Sierra Nevada Hop Hunter IPA will feature hop oil from distilled hops. The idea, which Sierra Nevada hasn't fully revealed, will extract pure hop oil from mature cones, to create an IPA that smells unlike any other IPA you've had. Aroma is key. Sierra Nevada Hop Hunter IPA should finish at 6.2% ABV, 60 IBUs.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
3.39/5 rDev -16.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
by jimmah120 from Minnesota
12oz bottle, review from note
Drank it out tha bot'le. Smells amazing, like pine tree. Taste is all very bitter hops, how an IPA should taste IMO. Very drinkable, could use a lil more ABV to match how powerful the hop flavor is
Feb 17, 2022
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
by jimmah120 from Minnesota
12oz bottle, review from note
Drank it out tha bot'le. Smells amazing, like pine tree. Taste is all very bitter hops, how an IPA should taste IMO. Very drinkable, could use a lil more ABV to match how powerful the hop flavor is
Feb 17, 2022
4.09 by LesDewitt4beer from Minnesota on Oct 24, 2021
4.03 by magic_swaggin from Georgia on Jun 02, 2021
4.18 by Jalle from Sweden on Apr 20, 2021
4.21 by wekoontz from Maine on Apr 18, 2021
4.09/5 rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by feloniousmonk from Minnesota
6/25/15:
Appearance: clear and bright golden, vibrant ivory head, leaving delicate lacing. Lovely stuff, looking great.
Aroma: hop oil-a-rific, flowery, citrusy, piney galore. Lemon and orange and lime. It's gorgeous. Love. It.
Taste: On the palate, a blast of bitterness. blam! Bright, lively, bursting with hops. Light bodied, long, lingering bittersweet hop finish. Ends decidedly dry. Hop bitterness never quite quits, lays long on the palate.
Feb 04, 2021
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by feloniousmonk from Minnesota
6/25/15:
Appearance: clear and bright golden, vibrant ivory head, leaving delicate lacing. Lovely stuff, looking great.
Aroma: hop oil-a-rific, flowery, citrusy, piney galore. Lemon and orange and lime. It's gorgeous. Love. It.
Taste: On the palate, a blast of bitterness. blam! Bright, lively, bursting with hops. Light bodied, long, lingering bittersweet hop finish. Ends decidedly dry. Hop bitterness never quite quits, lays long on the palate.
Feb 04, 2021
4 by smartassboiler from Illinois on Oct 28, 2020
4.25 by Velivolus1 from Vermont on Aug 04, 2020
4.65/5 rDev +14.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
by Bierschenker from Belgium
Served in my trusty "Seef" tumbler.
As I openen the bottle, hopps filler the air.
Beer has a beautiful golden colour.
Nice creamy head.
This is in no way objective, but wauw! When I read the general description of an IPA, this is what comes to mind. Fantastic deep dry hoppy goodness. A rich variety of grains, lime leek and milk.
Aftertaste is neverending dry hopps. Lime peel and white bread.
I want this every day!
Jun 18, 2020
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
by Bierschenker from Belgium
Served in my trusty "Seef" tumbler.
As I openen the bottle, hopps filler the air.
Beer has a beautiful golden colour.
Nice creamy head.
This is in no way objective, but wauw! When I read the general description of an IPA, this is what comes to mind. Fantastic deep dry hoppy goodness. A rich variety of grains, lime leek and milk.
Aftertaste is neverending dry hopps. Lime peel and white bread.
I want this every day!
Jun 18, 2020
3.75 by ryanf2192 from District of Columbia on Jun 08, 2020
3.22/5 rDev -20.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by ChrisCage from Canada (AB)
A- This one pours a chill hazed yellow/gold color, with amber, and orange hues throughout. There is a ton of aggressive carbonation rising to the top in ginger ale like fashion. The head is white and soapy in nature, with good retention, starting about one and a half fingers thick before gradually settling down to a thick film of foam over the brew. The lacing is fairly sticky, with an entire coating of bubbly goodness clinging to the inside of my glass, and most of it sliding back into the liquid, but it does leave behind a framework of art. Nice looking overall.
S- Not quite what I expected, with distilled hop oil being used here, but rather am greeted with orange/citrus zest, along with leafy bitterness, yeast/biscuit and a refined malt sweetness. Maybe there is some piney resin blended in as well, as this seems to be the lingering aroma....nice!
T- Huge hopped bitterness!!!! After the initial shock to the palate, I get lots of piney resin, citrus peel (grapefruit, pomello), and not much else. The finish mellows out slightly, where I can appreciate the malt profile....almost becomes slightly sweet. The oily bitterness lingers in the back of the palate long after the taste.
M/O- Oil slick smoothness when going down, and lots of zippy carbonation compliments the light body. As for drinkability, I will get this one down but move onto something more palatable.....poor drinkability factor. I got this from my wife as part of a coundown to Christmas group she put together for me....love her for that and the thought :) I don't understand the love affair for this style....its all too much and I for one cant enjoy tasting nothing but bitterness. And the burps.....not pleasant.
May 22, 2020
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by ChrisCage from Canada (AB)
A- This one pours a chill hazed yellow/gold color, with amber, and orange hues throughout. There is a ton of aggressive carbonation rising to the top in ginger ale like fashion. The head is white and soapy in nature, with good retention, starting about one and a half fingers thick before gradually settling down to a thick film of foam over the brew. The lacing is fairly sticky, with an entire coating of bubbly goodness clinging to the inside of my glass, and most of it sliding back into the liquid, but it does leave behind a framework of art. Nice looking overall.
S- Not quite what I expected, with distilled hop oil being used here, but rather am greeted with orange/citrus zest, along with leafy bitterness, yeast/biscuit and a refined malt sweetness. Maybe there is some piney resin blended in as well, as this seems to be the lingering aroma....nice!
T- Huge hopped bitterness!!!! After the initial shock to the palate, I get lots of piney resin, citrus peel (grapefruit, pomello), and not much else. The finish mellows out slightly, where I can appreciate the malt profile....almost becomes slightly sweet. The oily bitterness lingers in the back of the palate long after the taste.
M/O- Oil slick smoothness when going down, and lots of zippy carbonation compliments the light body. As for drinkability, I will get this one down but move onto something more palatable.....poor drinkability factor. I got this from my wife as part of a coundown to Christmas group she put together for me....love her for that and the thought :) I don't understand the love affair for this style....its all too much and I for one cant enjoy tasting nothing but bitterness. And the burps.....not pleasant.
May 22, 2020
4 by RiceOwls27 from Texas on Apr 07, 2020
3.87/5 rDev -4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by misteil from Ireland
look: gee it looks great, rich orange to amber in colour, bubbles flying within, big bubbly head on top which retains throughout with good bit of lacing.
smell: orange colour is matched by a decent bit of orange citrus smells coming out at first, lot of hoppy spice there too, some musty scents too, tiny bit of banana, perhaps a tad soapy.
taste: the citrus fruits are the first taste to come through, but there’s a good bit of caramel in there, and the finish is only lightly bitter for a beer with such a prevalent hop character, good bit of spice on the finish too. again maybe a tad soapy. it’s a curious beer alright.
feel: real full bodied mouthfeel, high carbonation, crisp enough. oily.
overall: it’s a unique beer alright, and a good one at that.
Apr 05, 2020
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by misteil from Ireland
look: gee it looks great, rich orange to amber in colour, bubbles flying within, big bubbly head on top which retains throughout with good bit of lacing.
smell: orange colour is matched by a decent bit of orange citrus smells coming out at first, lot of hoppy spice there too, some musty scents too, tiny bit of banana, perhaps a tad soapy.
taste: the citrus fruits are the first taste to come through, but there’s a good bit of caramel in there, and the finish is only lightly bitter for a beer with such a prevalent hop character, good bit of spice on the finish too. again maybe a tad soapy. it’s a curious beer alright.
feel: real full bodied mouthfeel, high carbonation, crisp enough. oily.
overall: it’s a unique beer alright, and a good one at that.
Apr 05, 2020
3.98/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by VicCooper from Ireland
I was looking forward to try this one. Will it be as good as the Hazy Little Thing?
Comes in a 12 fl.oz. bottle, the sticker is a real classic design, I like it. Hisses when opened, seems to be carbonated well.
Top: after pouring it forms a nice, medium lasting, clear white head, without irregularities. So far we're golden.
Colour: clear gold, looks promising with the clear white head.
Smell: apparently, when SN puts its beers into bottles, they all smell iron after pouring. It's rather disappointing. It needs to be decanted. After 5 minutes of decanting comes a mild earthy smell mixed with some hops and a very low level of undefined fruity freshness. Surprisingly low intensity. Maybe a slight soapy smell too.
Taste: Ooohh, halle-f**kin-lujah. Now this is, what I'm talking about. The state of the absolute balance. Well carbonated, no dominant flavours, just a mixture of pure awesomeness. A bit of malts, a bit of hops, a bit of a complete fruit basket. Moderated natural bitterness, very fresh mouthfeel, alcohol is well hidden despite being 6.2%. It's rather dangerous. Extremely easy to drink, very smooth leaving a semi-dry finish.
Summary: it looks like I have just found my new affordable favourite. It's just as great as Hazy Little Thing, but in a completely different way.
Definitely will have this again. It didn't smell much, looked alright but the taste... amazing. Well done, Sierra Nevada!
Mar 13, 2020
look: 4.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by VicCooper from Ireland
I was looking forward to try this one. Will it be as good as the Hazy Little Thing?
Comes in a 12 fl.oz. bottle, the sticker is a real classic design, I like it. Hisses when opened, seems to be carbonated well.
Top: after pouring it forms a nice, medium lasting, clear white head, without irregularities. So far we're golden.
Colour: clear gold, looks promising with the clear white head.
Smell: apparently, when SN puts its beers into bottles, they all smell iron after pouring. It's rather disappointing. It needs to be decanted. After 5 minutes of decanting comes a mild earthy smell mixed with some hops and a very low level of undefined fruity freshness. Surprisingly low intensity. Maybe a slight soapy smell too.
Taste: Ooohh, halle-f**kin-lujah. Now this is, what I'm talking about. The state of the absolute balance. Well carbonated, no dominant flavours, just a mixture of pure awesomeness. A bit of malts, a bit of hops, a bit of a complete fruit basket. Moderated natural bitterness, very fresh mouthfeel, alcohol is well hidden despite being 6.2%. It's rather dangerous. Extremely easy to drink, very smooth leaving a semi-dry finish.
Summary: it looks like I have just found my new affordable favourite. It's just as great as Hazy Little Thing, but in a completely different way.
Definitely will have this again. It didn't smell much, looked alright but the taste... amazing. Well done, Sierra Nevada!
Mar 13, 2020
4.11 by jmbeerdude91 from Arizona on Feb 21, 2020
3.93/5 rDev -3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Singlefinpin from North Carolina
Drinking this from a bottle poured into a pint glass.
Appears dark golden with a nice foamy head and lacing that dropped quickly.
Smells citrusy, grapefruit, piney.
Taste follows the nose.
Mouth feel is medium for the style and helps balance the hoppiness.
Overall a nice IPA that I might order again.
Feb 21, 2020
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Singlefinpin from North Carolina
Drinking this from a bottle poured into a pint glass.
Appears dark golden with a nice foamy head and lacing that dropped quickly.
Smells citrusy, grapefruit, piney.
Taste follows the nose.
Mouth feel is medium for the style and helps balance the hoppiness.
Overall a nice IPA that I might order again.
Feb 21, 2020
3.93/5 rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
by 1961 from Wisconsin
Very enjoyable beer to drink. Thank you Sierra Nevada for making great beer, Happy 40th Anniversary,
Feb 14, 2020
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
by 1961 from Wisconsin
Very enjoyable beer to drink. Thank you Sierra Nevada for making great beer, Happy 40th Anniversary,
Feb 14, 2020
4.25 by NorbertB1974 from Germany on Feb 07, 2020
3.99/5 rDev -1.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Mister_Faucher from Washington
Six pack of bottles picked up at Total Wine in Lynnwood, Washington.
Served in a pint glass.
Look- Clear golden amber color. Nice fluffy white head that recedes rather quickly to a thin cap, spotty lacing. Moderate carbonation streams visible.
Smell- Citrus (grapefruit and lemon), resinous pine, caramel malt, light tropical fruit, stone fruit and floral/spicy notes.
Taste- Much like the nose, pithy citrus, a bit of pineapple, light stone fruit with a piney and malty follow through, nicely balanced.
Feel- Medium bodied, dry and crisp with a moderately bitter finish. Medium carbonation on the tongue.
O- Another nice offering from SN, there are better in their lineup but it's good.
Jan 08, 2020
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Mister_Faucher from Washington
Six pack of bottles picked up at Total Wine in Lynnwood, Washington.
Served in a pint glass.
Look- Clear golden amber color. Nice fluffy white head that recedes rather quickly to a thin cap, spotty lacing. Moderate carbonation streams visible.
Smell- Citrus (grapefruit and lemon), resinous pine, caramel malt, light tropical fruit, stone fruit and floral/spicy notes.
Taste- Much like the nose, pithy citrus, a bit of pineapple, light stone fruit with a piney and malty follow through, nicely balanced.
Feel- Medium bodied, dry and crisp with a moderately bitter finish. Medium carbonation on the tongue.
O- Another nice offering from SN, there are better in their lineup but it's good.
Jan 08, 2020
3.52 by Seal4676 from Michigan on Jan 04, 2020
4.17/5 rDev +3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by Thankin_Hank from Texas
Nice looking IPA with much carbonation, nice head and lacing. A nice hop aroma. Great Smooth taste. Overall a pleasant beer. Not too hoppy in taste. Try some when you find it. On draft at Sierra-Nevada, Asheville, NC.
Oct 18, 2019
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by Thankin_Hank from Texas
Nice looking IPA with much carbonation, nice head and lacing. A nice hop aroma. Great Smooth taste. Overall a pleasant beer. Not too hoppy in taste. Try some when you find it. On draft at Sierra-Nevada, Asheville, NC.
Oct 18, 2019
3.86 by Van_boi from New Hampshire on Oct 02, 2019
3.93/5 rDev -3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by lastmango from Pennsylvania
Poured amber with a bright white one finger head leaving a nice film. Moderate lacing present. A bit of dank citrus and pine nose. Taste is grainy malt, grass, citrus and pine finish and well balanced. Mouthfeel has a moderate body and carbonation with a wonderful smooth finish. This is not super hopped so those who want the high bitterness will be disappointed. I on the other hand find this very refreshing and drinkable with just enough hop kick.
Sep 25, 2019
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by lastmango from Pennsylvania
Poured amber with a bright white one finger head leaving a nice film. Moderate lacing present. A bit of dank citrus and pine nose. Taste is grainy malt, grass, citrus and pine finish and well balanced. Mouthfeel has a moderate body and carbonation with a wonderful smooth finish. This is not super hopped so those who want the high bitterness will be disappointed. I on the other hand find this very refreshing and drinkable with just enough hop kick.
Sep 25, 2019
4.1 by Wrigfen from South Carolina on Jul 08, 2019
4.18 by bigedal60 from Alabama on Jul 06, 2019
3.65 by Tcsox from Massachusetts on Jul 06, 2019
4.52 by jdurey from Korea (South) on Jun 26, 2019
2.75/5 rDev -32.1%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
by Beer_Right_Back from Arizona
Kind of vaguely has some dank hop notes, but like it relative "Sidecar", this just doesn't do quite enough to push it over the line from meh, to good.
Jun 15, 2019
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
by Beer_Right_Back from Arizona
Kind of vaguely has some dank hop notes, but like it relative "Sidecar", this just doesn't do quite enough to push it over the line from meh, to good.
Jun 15, 2019
3.69/5 rDev -8.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
by Nass from Florida
The bottle is 3 months old. The pour is dark yellow. The aroma is dank with mild citrus & the taste is the same along with some mild pine bitterness on the finish. Cheers! B
Jun 02, 2019
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
by Nass from Florida
The bottle is 3 months old. The pour is dark yellow. The aroma is dank with mild citrus & the taste is the same along with some mild pine bitterness on the finish. Cheers! B
Jun 02, 2019
3.4 by Oh_Dark_Star from Washington on May 10, 2019
4.13 by burnstar from Pennsylvania on Apr 11, 2019
3.34/5 rDev -17.5%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
by GuyFawkes from Illinois
Bottled 2/14/15; drank 3/10/15 @ the Yachives.
Clear dandelion appearance.
HUGE fluffy white head; a curtain of lace.
Pine needle, grapefruit & mild caramel notes in the nose.
Medium thin mouthfeel.
Pine needle & mild grapefruit flavors up front; a dry, mildly bitter finish. Fresh soap notes emerged as this warmed.
Drinkable but boring.
Apr 07, 2019
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
by GuyFawkes from Illinois
Bottled 2/14/15; drank 3/10/15 @ the Yachives.
Clear dandelion appearance.
HUGE fluffy white head; a curtain of lace.
Pine needle, grapefruit & mild caramel notes in the nose.
Medium thin mouthfeel.
Pine needle & mild grapefruit flavors up front; a dry, mildly bitter finish. Fresh soap notes emerged as this warmed.
Drinkable but boring.
Apr 07, 2019
3.75/5 rDev -7.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by Snowcrash000 from Germany
Pours a clear golden amber coloration with a small, fluffy head. Smells of light biscuity malt and floral, citrus hop notes, reminiscent of orange blossoms. Taste follows the nose, with some biscuity, slightly grainy malt and quite a floral hop character backed up by citrus/stone fruit notes of peach, orange and tangerine, as well as a light grassy note. Finishes quite crisp, with a medium bitterness and some floral, citrus notes lingering in the aftertaste. Smooth mouthfeel with a medium body and carbonation.
This is a bit too grainy and floral for my personal taste, but nevertheless has some nice citrus and peach notes to it, with a nice, crisp bitterness.
Apr 04, 2019
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by Snowcrash000 from Germany
Pours a clear golden amber coloration with a small, fluffy head. Smells of light biscuity malt and floral, citrus hop notes, reminiscent of orange blossoms. Taste follows the nose, with some biscuity, slightly grainy malt and quite a floral hop character backed up by citrus/stone fruit notes of peach, orange and tangerine, as well as a light grassy note. Finishes quite crisp, with a medium bitterness and some floral, citrus notes lingering in the aftertaste. Smooth mouthfeel with a medium body and carbonation.
This is a bit too grainy and floral for my personal taste, but nevertheless has some nice citrus and peach notes to it, with a nice, crisp bitterness.
Apr 04, 2019
4 by Musineer from Texas on Mar 31, 2019
4.25 by Zenboy99 from Wisconsin on Mar 27, 2019
4.39 by miguelk from Texas on Mar 19, 2019
3.5 by StoutAtTheDevil from Alabama on Mar 08, 2019
4.06 by Gavage from Nevada on Mar 02, 2019
3.99 by TheRock7755 from Georgia on Feb 17, 2019
4.21 by hophead37 from Alabama on Jan 31, 2019
Hop Hunter from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Beer rating:
90 out of
100 with
3385 ratings