Hop Bullet
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
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- From:
- Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
- California, United States
- Style:
- IPA - Imperial
Ranked #2,006 - ABV:
- 8%
- Score:
- 89
Ranked #11,714 - Avg:
- 3.98 | pDev: 7.79%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- May 05, 2022
- Added:
- Jul 12, 2017
- Wants:
- 10
- Gots:
- 281
SCORE
89
Very Good
89
Very Good
Notes:
Brewed with a double-barreled blast of Magnum hops and lupulin dust.
Hops are the name of the game with a Double IPA, but we knew we had to take it one step further. With Hop Bullet, we’re using a new technique, hitting the beer with a double-barreled blast of Magnum hops and lupulin dust—pure, concentrated hop flavor—directly into the tank to emphasize the intense pine and citrus flavors of classic West Coast hops.
BEGINNING GRAVITY: 17.6° plato
ENDING GRAVITY: 2.4° plato
BITTERNESS UNITS: 60
YEAST: Ale yeast
BITTERING HOPS: Magnum
FINISHING HOPS: Centennial, Cascade, Chinook, Magnum, Crystal
MALTS: Two-row Pale, Wheat, Dextrine, Chocolate, Acidulated
Hops are the name of the game with a Double IPA, but we knew we had to take it one step further. With Hop Bullet, we’re using a new technique, hitting the beer with a double-barreled blast of Magnum hops and lupulin dust—pure, concentrated hop flavor—directly into the tank to emphasize the intense pine and citrus flavors of classic West Coast hops.
BEGINNING GRAVITY: 17.6° plato
ENDING GRAVITY: 2.4° plato
BITTERNESS UNITS: 60
YEAST: Ale yeast
BITTERING HOPS: Magnum
FINISHING HOPS: Centennial, Cascade, Chinook, Magnum, Crystal
MALTS: Two-row Pale, Wheat, Dextrine, Chocolate, Acidulated
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
5/5 rDev +25.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
by ivanbrew
Very nice double IPA awesome pine character and lots of malty flavors love it!
May 05, 2022
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
by ivanbrew
Very nice double IPA awesome pine character and lots of malty flavors love it!
May 05, 2022
4.03/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by lwillitz from Wisconsin
12-oz bottle into New Belgium globe
A - cloudy body of golden copper under a finger of white
S - pine and grapefruit with a touch of malty sweetness
T - juicy and tart with strong notes of pine and pink grapefruit; touch of caramel sweetness; floral and earthy notes
M - chewy medium/full body, average carbonation
O - a very nice dipa
Apr 16, 2022
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by lwillitz from Wisconsin
12-oz bottle into New Belgium globe
A - cloudy body of golden copper under a finger of white
S - pine and grapefruit with a touch of malty sweetness
T - juicy and tart with strong notes of pine and pink grapefruit; touch of caramel sweetness; floral and earthy notes
M - chewy medium/full body, average carbonation
O - a very nice dipa
Apr 16, 2022
4 by Bkeeb from Texas on Feb 28, 2022
3.75/5 rDev -5.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by Dutchcraftbeergeek from Netherlands
Very bitter.
Feb 17, 2022
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
by Dutchcraftbeergeek from Netherlands
Very bitter.
Feb 17, 2022
4/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by NiceTaps from New Jersey
12 ounce bottle in a stemless wine glass.
Pours a burnt orange color, a bit hazed, with a 1f clean white cap. Good retention and lacing.
Interestingly enough, it smells very hoppy. Lots of grapefruit, citrus, and pine. Light caramel malt, too.
Taste mirrors the aromas and adds some spices. There’s a mineral like quality.
Medium body and goes down easily at its 8% abv. There’s a touch of sweet alcohol but it finishes bitter and resinous.
Hoppy and drinkable, so that’s good.
Jan 12, 2022
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by NiceTaps from New Jersey
12 ounce bottle in a stemless wine glass.
Pours a burnt orange color, a bit hazed, with a 1f clean white cap. Good retention and lacing.
Interestingly enough, it smells very hoppy. Lots of grapefruit, citrus, and pine. Light caramel malt, too.
Taste mirrors the aromas and adds some spices. There’s a mineral like quality.
Medium body and goes down easily at its 8% abv. There’s a touch of sweet alcohol but it finishes bitter and resinous.
Hoppy and drinkable, so that’s good.
Jan 12, 2022
4/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by secondtooth from Indiana
APPEARANCE: Opaque amber with a huge off-white head and clouds of lace.
NOSE: Citrus and floral hops, with some tropical notes. Nice!
TASTE: Big chewy pine and tropical hops — definitely a high-gravity beer. Tasty old-school goodness with hops enough to wreck that palate. Love it!
Jan 04, 2022
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by secondtooth from Indiana
APPEARANCE: Opaque amber with a huge off-white head and clouds of lace.
NOSE: Citrus and floral hops, with some tropical notes. Nice!
TASTE: Big chewy pine and tropical hops — definitely a high-gravity beer. Tasty old-school goodness with hops enough to wreck that palate. Love it!
Jan 04, 2022
4.03 by LesDewitt4beer from Minnesota on Nov 27, 2021
3.86 by Grupatre from Michigan on Oct 04, 2021
4.21/5 rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by Thomas_Wikman from Texas
Look: golden slightly orange with a thick white head
Aroma: Caramel, citrus, pineresin
Flavor: Caramel, citrus, pineresin, I think it is pretty good.
Body/Overall: medium body
Sep 01, 2021
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by Thomas_Wikman from Texas
Look: golden slightly orange with a thick white head
Aroma: Caramel, citrus, pineresin
Flavor: Caramel, citrus, pineresin, I think it is pretty good.
Body/Overall: medium body
Sep 01, 2021
3.25/5 rDev -18.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
by jimmah120 from Minnesota
12oz can - review from notes
Not my favorite double IPA, and disappointing coming from these guys. It has a distinct sorta metallic flavor, where all the other flavors clash and you can only make out a metal tinge.
Avoid
Jul 31, 2021
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
by jimmah120 from Minnesota
12oz can - review from notes
Not my favorite double IPA, and disappointing coming from these guys. It has a distinct sorta metallic flavor, where all the other flavors clash and you can only make out a metal tinge.
Avoid
Jul 31, 2021
3.77 by DBosco from Massachusetts on Jul 19, 2021
4 by NickMunford from Wyoming on Jul 17, 2021
3.78/5 rDev -5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by rudiecantfail from Pennsylvania
12 ounce can poured into a tulip glass. Canned 12/30/20, so not too fresh.
L---Mostly clear, light amber color. Fluffy white head had good retention and left really nice lacing.
S---Strong pine & citrus hops. Smells really good for it's age.
T---Not as good as the nose. Hoppy, but also a good bit of maltiness. Some grapefruit & lemon, but also caramel.
F---Medium/full bodied with plenty of carbonation.
O---This probably would've been awesome in January, but.... Still a good one.
Jun 25, 2021
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by rudiecantfail from Pennsylvania
12 ounce can poured into a tulip glass. Canned 12/30/20, so not too fresh.
L---Mostly clear, light amber color. Fluffy white head had good retention and left really nice lacing.
S---Strong pine & citrus hops. Smells really good for it's age.
T---Not as good as the nose. Hoppy, but also a good bit of maltiness. Some grapefruit & lemon, but also caramel.
F---Medium/full bodied with plenty of carbonation.
O---This probably would've been awesome in January, but.... Still a good one.
Jun 25, 2021
3.71 by Chipwells from Georgia on May 31, 2021
4.1/5 rDev +3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by Jaasoares from Virginia
Pours a clear golden color with a short lived white head which disappears in less than a min. Citrus, pine, hops on the nose. Taste’s great! There’s a sweetness of caramel to begin with, a mild tartness of citrus, big hops taste from resin and then an almost five spice like burn at the finish. Excellent brew!
May 19, 2021
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by Jaasoares from Virginia
Pours a clear golden color with a short lived white head which disappears in less than a min. Citrus, pine, hops on the nose. Taste’s great! There’s a sweetness of caramel to begin with, a mild tartness of citrus, big hops taste from resin and then an almost five spice like burn at the finish. Excellent brew!
May 19, 2021
4.03/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by dbl_delta from Pennsylvania
Can dated 12/30/20 into pint glass. Pours a slightly hazy gold with a nice off-white head. Great lacing. Initial impression is grapefruit, pepper, orange rind, and pine. Mouthfeel is medium and quite clean. Finish is peppery, with lingering citrus. Overall, pretty damn tasty for a been going on 6 months old. I'd love to try this on tap sometime.
May 18, 2021
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by dbl_delta from Pennsylvania
Can dated 12/30/20 into pint glass. Pours a slightly hazy gold with a nice off-white head. Great lacing. Initial impression is grapefruit, pepper, orange rind, and pine. Mouthfeel is medium and quite clean. Finish is peppery, with lingering citrus. Overall, pretty damn tasty for a been going on 6 months old. I'd love to try this on tap sometime.
May 18, 2021
3.66/5 rDev -8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by Sigmund from Norway
355 ml can, from bestofbeers.dk . ABV is 8.0%, Golden colour, moderate white head. Aroma of fruity, piney and spicy hops. The flavour is distinctly hoppy on a sufficient malty base. Grapefruity and spicy notes, with a resinous bitterness in the finish.
May 10, 2021
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
by Sigmund from Norway
355 ml can, from bestofbeers.dk . ABV is 8.0%, Golden colour, moderate white head. Aroma of fruity, piney and spicy hops. The flavour is distinctly hoppy on a sufficient malty base. Grapefruity and spicy notes, with a resinous bitterness in the finish.
May 10, 2021
3.96 by magine from Pennsylvania on May 01, 2021
3.93 by Rainintheface from Massachusetts on Apr 15, 2021
4/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by JayQue from Virginia
Has Sierra Nevada ever disappointed with a hoppy beer? Picked up a 12 oz bottle at Harris Teeter Supermarket 'build your own six pack" Pours an almost clear bright gold color with a big frothy head. Great head retention and thick foamy bands of lacing on the glass. A good looking beer! Aroma and taste feature piney and citrus (mostly grapefruit) hops. A traditional strong, hoppy IPA! This is not a head shrinker, just a solid hoppy beer to enjoy. Mouthfeel is crisp and bitter, No distracting alcohol presence. I suppose you could belt back a few of these, even at 8% abv, but I prefer to savor just the one. A very good beer.
Apr 01, 2021
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by JayQue from Virginia
Has Sierra Nevada ever disappointed with a hoppy beer? Picked up a 12 oz bottle at Harris Teeter Supermarket 'build your own six pack" Pours an almost clear bright gold color with a big frothy head. Great head retention and thick foamy bands of lacing on the glass. A good looking beer! Aroma and taste feature piney and citrus (mostly grapefruit) hops. A traditional strong, hoppy IPA! This is not a head shrinker, just a solid hoppy beer to enjoy. Mouthfeel is crisp and bitter, No distracting alcohol presence. I suppose you could belt back a few of these, even at 8% abv, but I prefer to savor just the one. A very good beer.
Apr 01, 2021
3.7/5 rDev -7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
by Scotchboy from Idaho
Surprised I've never reviewed this one; 12oz can poured into a SA Perfect Pint. Pours out a mostly clear golden color with a big fluffy off-white head; malty and piney in true SN fashion, grapefruit as well. The nose and palate showcase some traditional hops in the form of piney, grassy, and resiny notes along with some citrus peel and caramel malt. With plenty of malty sweetness and some lingering hoppy dryness, this hits like a traditional and well-executed DIPA.
Mar 29, 2021
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
by Scotchboy from Idaho
Surprised I've never reviewed this one; 12oz can poured into a SA Perfect Pint. Pours out a mostly clear golden color with a big fluffy off-white head; malty and piney in true SN fashion, grapefruit as well. The nose and palate showcase some traditional hops in the form of piney, grassy, and resiny notes along with some citrus peel and caramel malt. With plenty of malty sweetness and some lingering hoppy dryness, this hits like a traditional and well-executed DIPA.
Mar 29, 2021
4.23/5 rDev +6.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by Elemental19xx from Illinois
Normally I'm not a huge fan of hoppy IPAs, but this one is just downright good. The hops are very strong but they dont overpower the other flavors which are pine, citrus, not sure which kinds of citrus though. There is also a sweeter note, also unclear to me what it is, but that could be because these guys are sitting at 8% and im a few in. Overall i cant see anyone who likes IPAs not liking these, but if you arent big on hops I'd still say proceed with caution but still throw one in cart if you get the chance. In my opinion these are excellent and the six pack didn't last too long (kinda like me in bed) in my fridge.
Mar 24, 2021
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by Elemental19xx from Illinois
Normally I'm not a huge fan of hoppy IPAs, but this one is just downright good. The hops are very strong but they dont overpower the other flavors which are pine, citrus, not sure which kinds of citrus though. There is also a sweeter note, also unclear to me what it is, but that could be because these guys are sitting at 8% and im a few in. Overall i cant see anyone who likes IPAs not liking these, but if you arent big on hops I'd still say proceed with caution but still throw one in cart if you get the chance. In my opinion these are excellent and the six pack didn't last too long (kinda like me in bed) in my fridge.
Mar 24, 2021
3.9 by Eltrandos from France on Mar 02, 2021
3.85 by twenteone from Pennsylvania on Feb 12, 2021
4.34 by buzzedup from Pennsylvania on Feb 07, 2021
4.13 by MattDecker from Texas on Jan 31, 2021
3.77 by Metalgod666 from Michigan on Jan 25, 2021
4.15 by BuxMontBeerLover from Pennsylvania on Jan 24, 2021
4.19/5 rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by sethmeister from New Hampshire
From a mixed 12 pack marked 12/17/20.
Poured into my tulip this ale is a clear luminous golden amber and the bubbly cream colored head settles to a foamy ring, decorating the glass with fluffy lace as it goes.
Scent is pine, grapefruit, caramel, floral and citrus.
Taste is caramel, citrus, grapefruit and pine sap. Very long bitter finish much like my second marriage. Lightly charred bread crusts. Some spice. There is a touch of oniony dankness here which I love. The 8% abv is hidden deftly. Caramel sneaks in as the beer warms.
Mouth is creamy and oily with a good heft to it.
Good balance of hop flavors (citrus, resin, spice) with a firm malt base (breadcrust, caramel) making for a very satisfying West coast DIPA.
Jan 23, 2021
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by sethmeister from New Hampshire
From a mixed 12 pack marked 12/17/20.
Poured into my tulip this ale is a clear luminous golden amber and the bubbly cream colored head settles to a foamy ring, decorating the glass with fluffy lace as it goes.
Scent is pine, grapefruit, caramel, floral and citrus.
Taste is caramel, citrus, grapefruit and pine sap. Very long bitter finish much like my second marriage. Lightly charred bread crusts. Some spice. There is a touch of oniony dankness here which I love. The 8% abv is hidden deftly. Caramel sneaks in as the beer warms.
Mouth is creamy and oily with a good heft to it.
Good balance of hop flavors (citrus, resin, spice) with a firm malt base (breadcrust, caramel) making for a very satisfying West coast DIPA.
Jan 23, 2021
3.98 by HighwayChile from Kansas on Jan 08, 2021
4.85/5 rDev +21.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
by gestyr from Pennsylvania
A nice smooth DIPA. A slightly hazy appearance with the aroma and taste of hops exploding your senses.
Jan 06, 2021
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
by gestyr from Pennsylvania
A nice smooth DIPA. A slightly hazy appearance with the aroma and taste of hops exploding your senses.
Jan 06, 2021
4.49/5 rDev +12.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by THE_VANDAL from Arkansas
A load of citrus on the pour, jacked up by fragrant Magnum hops and lupulin powder. A nice grain bottom too- almost brings this to NEIPA territory, with the mix of Two-row Pale, Caramelized malts, Acidulated, Oats, and Wheat. Abundant bitters come into play too, supplied by a mix of Cascade, Centennial, Chinook, Crystal, Magnum, and Idaho 7 hops. Relatively inexpensive cooler fill stuff that could easily be an all-day swallow. Dig, very much.
Jan 04, 2021
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by THE_VANDAL from Arkansas
A load of citrus on the pour, jacked up by fragrant Magnum hops and lupulin powder. A nice grain bottom too- almost brings this to NEIPA territory, with the mix of Two-row Pale, Caramelized malts, Acidulated, Oats, and Wheat. Abundant bitters come into play too, supplied by a mix of Cascade, Centennial, Chinook, Crystal, Magnum, and Idaho 7 hops. Relatively inexpensive cooler fill stuff that could easily be an all-day swallow. Dig, very much.
Jan 04, 2021
4.75/5 rDev +19.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
by davidward from Florida
A very nice double IPA. The way it should be done.
Dec 27, 2020
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
by davidward from Florida
A very nice double IPA. The way it should be done.
Dec 27, 2020
4.14/5 rDev +4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by Dan2213 from Pennsylvania
L: Copper orange color
S: big floral notes and a touch of pine
T: follows then nose and has a great snap of sweetness to it
F: Medium Body not too thick for a double
O: as usual, I Really enjoyed this offering from SN. Would absolutely buy again. I was surprised by how good it was
Dec 24, 2020
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by Dan2213 from Pennsylvania
L: Copper orange color
S: big floral notes and a touch of pine
T: follows then nose and has a great snap of sweetness to it
F: Medium Body not too thick for a double
O: as usual, I Really enjoyed this offering from SN. Would absolutely buy again. I was surprised by how good it was
Dec 24, 2020
3.86/5 rDev -3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by Bluerabbitbell from Pennsylvania
1/5/22
Another freebie from Rafe! Never had heard of this one. Slightly dry and sweet and malty with cedar, apricot and over ripe cantaloupe. I was expecting a higher IBU, however. Still, a decent offering.
Dec 21, 2020
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by Bluerabbitbell from Pennsylvania
1/5/22
Another freebie from Rafe! Never had heard of this one. Slightly dry and sweet and malty with cedar, apricot and over ripe cantaloupe. I was expecting a higher IBU, however. Still, a decent offering.
Dec 21, 2020
4.12 by Bruno74200 from France on Dec 16, 2020
4 by nruhlig from Minnesota on Dec 12, 2020
3.78/5 rDev -5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by NCSapiens from Indiana
Really mild and sweet, inoffensive hop profile, with a classic DIPA taste. Nothing spectacular but quite solid.
Dec 12, 2020
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by NCSapiens from Indiana
Really mild and sweet, inoffensive hop profile, with a classic DIPA taste. Nothing spectacular but quite solid.
Dec 12, 2020
4.31/5 rDev +8.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by jadpsu from Georgia
LOOK: Pours a mostly clear gold with an all white fluffy head that has solid retention and plentiful side glass lace.
AROMA: Pine hops citrus, dank fruits with a malty base.
TASTE: Malts are sweet and provide a strong background to this delicious citrus hop beer in this Sierra Nevada offering. Not at all puckering or bitter. Smooth, not at all boozy considering the 8% ABV.
Great!
Note: After having this beer and liking it, purchased a 6 pack. I am not going to change my comments above, but suffice it to say I found the hops much more acidic, and I didn't like the beer as much, second time around.
Dec 06, 2020
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by jadpsu from Georgia
LOOK: Pours a mostly clear gold with an all white fluffy head that has solid retention and plentiful side glass lace.
AROMA: Pine hops citrus, dank fruits with a malty base.
TASTE: Malts are sweet and provide a strong background to this delicious citrus hop beer in this Sierra Nevada offering. Not at all puckering or bitter. Smooth, not at all boozy considering the 8% ABV.
Great!
Note: After having this beer and liking it, purchased a 6 pack. I am not going to change my comments above, but suffice it to say I found the hops much more acidic, and I didn't like the beer as much, second time around.
Dec 06, 2020
3.75 by MTKATL from Georgia on Dec 02, 2020
Hop Bullet from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Beer rating:
89 out of
100 with
1100 ratings