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Hop Bullet
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.


Beer Geek Stats
| Print Shelf Talker
- From:
- Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
- California, United States
- Style:
- Imperial IPA
Ranked #1,982 - ABV:
- 8%
- Score:
- 89
Ranked #11,993 - Avg:
- 3.98 | pDev: 7.79%
- Reviews:
- 369
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Apr 10, 2023
- Added:
- Jul 12, 2017
- Wants:
- 10
- Gots:
- 282
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.
Reviewed by BloodSoakedAleMug from New York
3.94/5 rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.94/5 rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Look: Pours a golden yellow hue with a two finger, dense head of eggshell colored foam that laces the glass well. Very little carbonation visible through the glass.
Aroma: Cream of wheat with a very light toasted peanut note and a hint of sweet orange / savory mango in the background.
Taste: Light bittersweet tropical flavor - with an underlying creaminess. Upfront, the flavor is reminiscent of peaches and cream. It transitions quickly into flavors of bitter orange rind midpalate, before ending on floral notes of raw honeycomb. Alcohol profile is non existent.
Feel: Medium bodied with low carbonation. For lack of a better term "slick" due to the low of effervescence on the palate.
Overall: A soothing, creamy but not overtly thick - sort of night cap style double IPA that will lull you into comfort. Not boozy or punchy. Pine and citrus peel flavors compliment the peach / mango flavors very well.
Jan 31, 2023Aroma: Cream of wheat with a very light toasted peanut note and a hint of sweet orange / savory mango in the background.
Taste: Light bittersweet tropical flavor - with an underlying creaminess. Upfront, the flavor is reminiscent of peaches and cream. It transitions quickly into flavors of bitter orange rind midpalate, before ending on floral notes of raw honeycomb. Alcohol profile is non existent.
Feel: Medium bodied with low carbonation. For lack of a better term "slick" due to the low of effervescence on the palate.
Overall: A soothing, creamy but not overtly thick - sort of night cap style double IPA that will lull you into comfort. Not boozy or punchy. Pine and citrus peel flavors compliment the peach / mango flavors very well.
Rated by ivanbrew
5/5 rDev +25.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
5/5 rDev +25.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Very nice double IPA awesome pine character and lots of malty flavors love it!
May 05, 2022Reviewed by lwillitz from Wisconsin
4.03/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.03/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
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, 2022A - 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
Rated by Dutchcraftbeergeek from Netherlands
3.75/5 rDev -5.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.75/5 rDev -5.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Very bitter.
Feb 17, 2022Reviewed by NiceTaps from New Jersey
4/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
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, 2022Pours 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.
Reviewed by secondtooth from Indiana
4/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
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, 2022NOSE: 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!
Reviewed by Thomas_Wikman from Texas
4.21/5 rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.21/5 rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
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, 2021Aroma: Caramel, citrus, pineresin
Flavor: Caramel, citrus, pineresin, I think it is pretty good.
Body/Overall: medium body
Reviewed by chum_husk from Minnesota
3.25/5 rDev -18.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
3.25/5 rDev -18.3%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
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, 2021Not 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
Reviewed by rudiecantfail from Pennsylvania
3.78/5 rDev -5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.78/5 rDev -5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
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, 2021L---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.
Reviewed by Jaasoares from Virginia
4.1/5 rDev +3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
4.1/5 rDev +3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
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, 2021Reviewed by dbl_delta from Pennsylvania
4.03/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
4.03/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
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, 2021Reviewed by Sigmund from Norway
3.66/5 rDev -8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.66/5 rDev -8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
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, 2021Reviewed by JayQue from Virginia
4/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
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, 2021Reviewed by Scotchboy from Idaho
3.7/5 rDev -7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
3.7/5 rDev -7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
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, 2021Reviewed by Elemental19xx from Illinois
4.23/5 rDev +6.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.23/5 rDev +6.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
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, 2021Reviewed by sethmeister from New Hampshire
4.19/5 rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.19/5 rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
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, 2021Poured 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.
Rated by gestyr from Pennsylvania
4.85/5 rDev +21.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
4.85/5 rDev +21.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
A nice smooth DIPA. A slightly hazy appearance with the aroma and taste of hops exploding your senses.
Jan 06, 2021Reviewed by THE_VANDAL from Arkansas
4.49/5 rDev +12.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.49/5 rDev +12.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
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, 2021Rated by davidward from Florida
4.75/5 rDev +19.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
4.75/5 rDev +19.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
A very nice double IPA. The way it should be done.
Dec 27, 2020Reviewed by Dan2213 from Pennsylvania
4.14/5 rDev +4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
4.14/5 rDev +4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
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, 2020S: 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
Reviewed by Bluerabbitbell from Pennsylvania
3.86/5 rDev -3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.86/5 rDev -3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
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, 2020Another 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.
Hop Bullet from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Beer rating:
89 out of
100 with
1105 ratings
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