Fresh Hop Double IPA
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Beer Geek Stats:
| Print Shelf Talker
- Style:
- American Imperial IPA
Ranked #3,336 - ABV:
- 8%
- Score:
- 88
Ranked #13,177 - Avg:
- 3.92 | pDev: 6.38%
- Reviews:
- 47
- Ratings:
- From:
- Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
- California, United States
- Avail:
- Rotating
- Wants
- 2
- Gots
- 17
SCORE
88
Very Good
88
Very Good
Notes:
Reviews: 47
| Ratings: 132
3.15/5 rDev -19.6%
look: 2.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.25
Reviewed from (long-standing) notes. Poured from a 12 oz. can into a Cycle Brewing goblet.
A: Pours a moderately hazy dark bronze to almost brown - surprisingly dark for style. Forms a half-finger of off-white head that lasts well. Not an ugly beer, but quite odd for style.
S: Bready malts with a bit of caramel sweetness. A modest grapefruit and rind with some resin and pine. And that’s about all I can find. This might be the most dull-smelling DIPA that I’ve had for a long time. Not “off”, but a low aroma you’ve got to dig for anything. And there's nothing exciting, nor "fresh-hoppy", about it.
T: Bready malts again, with a mild toast and modest caramel. Grapefruit rind, resinous pine, and mild tropical fruit hops. More sweet malts in the middle, and the bitterest grapefruit pith and some Stone-esque naked alpha bitterness in the hang. Just a hint of grassiness on the exhale suggests anything like a fresh hop being used.
M: An average body for style. The alcohol presence seems well-hidden for style, though it is a quite-modest ABV listed on the can. Average carbonation sensation.
O: I found this to be disappointing. This can would have been on the dark side for a Red Ale. So I was kinda hoping there was something wrong with the first can - not like an infection or anything, but it seems old, or mis-stored by the distributor. But since the other cans were indeed similar, perhaps it was just ill-conceived. It's not undrinkable or anything, but there’s nothing here that would warrant a drink at all. I was looking forward to this one, and I love me some fresh-hopped beers. But this was a huge letdown.
1,642 characters
look: 2.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.25
Reviewed from (long-standing) notes. Poured from a 12 oz. can into a Cycle Brewing goblet.
A: Pours a moderately hazy dark bronze to almost brown - surprisingly dark for style. Forms a half-finger of off-white head that lasts well. Not an ugly beer, but quite odd for style.
S: Bready malts with a bit of caramel sweetness. A modest grapefruit and rind with some resin and pine. And that’s about all I can find. This might be the most dull-smelling DIPA that I’ve had for a long time. Not “off”, but a low aroma you’ve got to dig for anything. And there's nothing exciting, nor "fresh-hoppy", about it.
T: Bready malts again, with a mild toast and modest caramel. Grapefruit rind, resinous pine, and mild tropical fruit hops. More sweet malts in the middle, and the bitterest grapefruit pith and some Stone-esque naked alpha bitterness in the hang. Just a hint of grassiness on the exhale suggests anything like a fresh hop being used.
M: An average body for style. The alcohol presence seems well-hidden for style, though it is a quite-modest ABV listed on the can. Average carbonation sensation.
O: I found this to be disappointing. This can would have been on the dark side for a Red Ale. So I was kinda hoping there was something wrong with the first can - not like an infection or anything, but it seems old, or mis-stored by the distributor. But since the other cans were indeed similar, perhaps it was just ill-conceived. It's not undrinkable or anything, but there’s nothing here that would warrant a drink at all. I was looking forward to this one, and I love me some fresh-hopped beers. But this was a huge letdown.
1,642 characters
4.16/5 rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a can into a pint glass
Appearance – The beer pours a deep golden amber color with a one finger head of pure white foam. The head has an amazing level of retention very slowly fading over time to leave a great sum of foamy lace on the sides of the glass.
Smell – The aroma of the brew is huge of a sweet tropical fruit smell of tangerine, pineapple, papaya, and mango. Along with these aromas comes some grapefruit hop and a little bit of grass and herb. Overall, big and desirous smelling,
Taste – The taste doesn’t start out like I would have expected. It begins with a malty and bready taste that has some tropical fruit flavors of tangerine and papaya and a decent hit of grapefruit hop, but the sweet fruit tastes, while heavy in the nose, are slightly lighter on the tongue. As the taste advances however, the sweeter fruit tastes get stronger with some other fruit tastes of mango and pineapple joining the increasing tangerine and papaya. This sweetness in the taste increases quite a bit, but all the while the grapefruit citrus hop, as well as some decently strong pine and herbal hop tastes come to the tongue, leaving one with a quite rich but smooth and still (dangerously) easy drinking taste to linger on the tongue.
Mouthfeel – The body of the brew is on the average side in terms of thickness and creaminess with a carbonation level that is rather low. For the style, tastes, and abv., the feel is dangerously good, and with the lack of alcohol flavor, this makes it an almost too drinkable brew.
Overall – This was an awesome brew overall. Very flavorful, easy drinking, nicely balanced, and very smooth. Awesome!!
1,664 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from a can into a pint glass
Appearance – The beer pours a deep golden amber color with a one finger head of pure white foam. The head has an amazing level of retention very slowly fading over time to leave a great sum of foamy lace on the sides of the glass.
Smell – The aroma of the brew is huge of a sweet tropical fruit smell of tangerine, pineapple, papaya, and mango. Along with these aromas comes some grapefruit hop and a little bit of grass and herb. Overall, big and desirous smelling,
Taste – The taste doesn’t start out like I would have expected. It begins with a malty and bready taste that has some tropical fruit flavors of tangerine and papaya and a decent hit of grapefruit hop, but the sweet fruit tastes, while heavy in the nose, are slightly lighter on the tongue. As the taste advances however, the sweeter fruit tastes get stronger with some other fruit tastes of mango and pineapple joining the increasing tangerine and papaya. This sweetness in the taste increases quite a bit, but all the while the grapefruit citrus hop, as well as some decently strong pine and herbal hop tastes come to the tongue, leaving one with a quite rich but smooth and still (dangerously) easy drinking taste to linger on the tongue.
Mouthfeel – The body of the brew is on the average side in terms of thickness and creaminess with a carbonation level that is rather low. For the style, tastes, and abv., the feel is dangerously good, and with the lack of alcohol flavor, this makes it an almost too drinkable brew.
Overall – This was an awesome brew overall. Very flavorful, easy drinking, nicely balanced, and very smooth. Awesome!!
1,664 characters
3.67/5 rDev -6.4%
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
12 ounce can poured into a tulip glass.
L---Clear, darkish golden color. HUGE, slightly off-white head. Head was long lasting and coated the sides of the glass. This one is a real looker.
S---Lighter aroma than expected from a DIPA that advertises it's hops in its name. Light pine & citrus with a slight floral scent in the background.
T---Maltier than expected. A strong, bready backbone. Hops are not as much in the forefront as expected. No hint of alcohol. Pine & citrus (orange, grapefruit & lemon) are most noticeable. Maltiness provides an unexpected balance for the beer, quite nice.
F---Feels chuggable, which would be a mistake at the ABV. Fresh & slightly juicy.
O---Not what I was expecting on a couple of fronts, but still a damn nice beer by an excellent brewery. I'd get this one again.
818 characters
look: 5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
12 ounce can poured into a tulip glass.
L---Clear, darkish golden color. HUGE, slightly off-white head. Head was long lasting and coated the sides of the glass. This one is a real looker.
S---Lighter aroma than expected from a DIPA that advertises it's hops in its name. Light pine & citrus with a slight floral scent in the background.
T---Maltier than expected. A strong, bready backbone. Hops are not as much in the forefront as expected. No hint of alcohol. Pine & citrus (orange, grapefruit & lemon) are most noticeable. Maltiness provides an unexpected balance for the beer, quite nice.
F---Feels chuggable, which would be a mistake at the ABV. Fresh & slightly juicy.
O---Not what I was expecting on a couple of fronts, but still a damn nice beer by an excellent brewery. I'd get this one again.
818 characters
4/5 rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12oz can. Poured out a clear, golden orange color with a good-sized, off-white head of foam. It smelled of pine, orange peel and toasted caramel. Sweet citrus taste with strong roasted malt and a sharp bitterness.
213 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12oz can. Poured out a clear, golden orange color with a good-sized, off-white head of foam. It smelled of pine, orange peel and toasted caramel. Sweet citrus taste with strong roasted malt and a sharp bitterness.
213 characters
3.5/5 rDev -10.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Intense hop flavor, definitely a West Coast IPA. Thought the beer would be more complex than single fresh hop IPA, but it was actually less so. If you've got to choose, go with the single.
188 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Intense hop flavor, definitely a West Coast IPA. Thought the beer would be more complex than single fresh hop IPA, but it was actually less so. If you've got to choose, go with the single.
188 characters
3.97/5 rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
SN fresh and bright efforts lately, where Resilience kills it, this one very good also.
a) Clear dark amber with 2+ fingers of pearly foamy head w decent retention & nice lacing. Always.
s) Too faint but piney, grassy, damp fall earth cousin to Resilience.
t) Fills your mouth with bready, grassy, herbal, pine. Slightly catty, dry, but agree with BAer who wrote finished minty.
f) Always a mouth pleaser, ticklely, right weighted, balanced, dry clean finish.
o) Alway the best large brewer and never a bore or also ran.
525 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
SN fresh and bright efforts lately, where Resilience kills it, this one very good also.
a) Clear dark amber with 2+ fingers of pearly foamy head w decent retention & nice lacing. Always.
s) Too faint but piney, grassy, damp fall earth cousin to Resilience.
t) Fills your mouth with bready, grassy, herbal, pine. Slightly catty, dry, but agree with BAer who wrote finished minty.
f) Always a mouth pleaser, ticklely, right weighted, balanced, dry clean finish.
o) Alway the best large brewer and never a bore or also ran.
525 characters
3.85/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Look - copper color with a good sticky white lacing
Smell - citrus slight lemon and pine
Taste - a lot like the scent but lacing a lot of the taste and more bitterness
Feel - medium full body with a lighter crisp carbonation
Overall - just ok
242 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Look - copper color with a good sticky white lacing
Smell - citrus slight lemon and pine
Taste - a lot like the scent but lacing a lot of the taste and more bitterness
Feel - medium full body with a lighter crisp carbonation
Overall - just ok
242 characters
4.1/5 rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Big clean hop aroma, pours a clear amber with a full white head. Lively carbonation, with a medium body. Slightly sweet to begin with which quickly fades to grapefruit and pine hops and a bitter finish. This is a solid IIPA.
227 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Big clean hop aroma, pours a clear amber with a full white head. Lively carbonation, with a medium body. Slightly sweet to begin with which quickly fades to grapefruit and pine hops and a bitter finish. This is a solid IIPA.
227 characters
3.89/5 rDev -0.8%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
From the bottom of the can: "PKGD 101917C09:22"
Appearance: The beer looks gorgeous in a glass. The head is this thick, off-white tan, with a creamy texture and pockmarked rocky top. The body is a beautiful shade of tea-like brown. It's picture perfect.
Aroma: There is a light floral aroma and it has this wet wood, oak scent. The longer the nose lingers at the cap the more spicy the aroma becomes. It has a bit of a peppery character which is interesting.
Taste: It has this perfect balance of malt and hop character. There is this slightly sweet malt, toasted, sweet alcohol, woody flavor. There is also this earthy, somewhat minty, slightly pine-like flavor. It's just packed full of flavors that draw you back to the beer because you think you've tasted something and want to double check, only to discover another flavor and get derailed.
Mouthfeel: This beer is more of a moderate sipper. Some of that has to do with the amount of flavor the beer has, and some of it has to do with the slow, earthy bitterness it delivers that also lingers in the aftertaste.
Overall: It is a flavor explorer's dream. There is a lot going on in this beer but it hides itself so well within the confines of other flavors. I don't know if this beer was aged on wood or not, but it has a lot of character that is often found in wood-aged beers. I would recommend it and I would drink it again.
1,386 characters
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
From the bottom of the can: "PKGD 101917C09:22"
Appearance: The beer looks gorgeous in a glass. The head is this thick, off-white tan, with a creamy texture and pockmarked rocky top. The body is a beautiful shade of tea-like brown. It's picture perfect.
Aroma: There is a light floral aroma and it has this wet wood, oak scent. The longer the nose lingers at the cap the more spicy the aroma becomes. It has a bit of a peppery character which is interesting.
Taste: It has this perfect balance of malt and hop character. There is this slightly sweet malt, toasted, sweet alcohol, woody flavor. There is also this earthy, somewhat minty, slightly pine-like flavor. It's just packed full of flavors that draw you back to the beer because you think you've tasted something and want to double check, only to discover another flavor and get derailed.
Mouthfeel: This beer is more of a moderate sipper. Some of that has to do with the amount of flavor the beer has, and some of it has to do with the slow, earthy bitterness it delivers that also lingers in the aftertaste.
Overall: It is a flavor explorer's dream. There is a lot going on in this beer but it hides itself so well within the confines of other flavors. I don't know if this beer was aged on wood or not, but it has a lot of character that is often found in wood-aged beers. I would recommend it and I would drink it again.
1,386 characters
3.81/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Picked up at the Craft Beer Hop Stop 11-24-17 for $1.50. Canned on 10-19-17 and stored in the beer fridge since purchase.
Beer poured orange with a nice white head that had some good hang time.
Nose is bready with some citrus.
Taste has a bready malt base with grapefruit and orange. Finish is well balanced.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied and refreshing for a bigger beer.
Overall a solid brew, the hops are definitely muted. I perceived this more as an APA given the breadyness and the balance.
500 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Picked up at the Craft Beer Hop Stop 11-24-17 for $1.50. Canned on 10-19-17 and stored in the beer fridge since purchase.
Beer poured orange with a nice white head that had some good hang time.
Nose is bready with some citrus.
Taste has a bready malt base with grapefruit and orange. Finish is well balanced.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied and refreshing for a bigger beer.
Overall a solid brew, the hops are definitely muted. I perceived this more as an APA given the breadyness and the balance.
500 characters
4.04/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours an effervescent amber with 2+ fingers of pearl colored head. Above average head retention & nice lacing
S: Piney, grassy, wet hay once warm along wih other catty aromas
T: Bready, grassy, minty, hints of lemon up front. Catty, a little dry, more mintyness as this warm. Finishes minty with a little lemon and dryness, a little apricot and Mandarin orange as well
MF: Medium body, crisp carbonation, nice balance
Solid DIPA, not a world beater, but very drinkable
480 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours an effervescent amber with 2+ fingers of pearl colored head. Above average head retention & nice lacing
S: Piney, grassy, wet hay once warm along wih other catty aromas
T: Bready, grassy, minty, hints of lemon up front. Catty, a little dry, more mintyness as this warm. Finishes minty with a little lemon and dryness, a little apricot and Mandarin orange as well
MF: Medium body, crisp carbonation, nice balance
Solid DIPA, not a world beater, but very drinkable
480 characters
4.24/5 rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Canned October 25th 2017.
Pours a clear reddish colour, not unlike Celebration in appearance. Same awesome head of foam and lacing.
Pine, grapefruit, toasted malt with some sweet notes smell.
Grapefruit and pine hoppines, toasted malt is very evident, sweet caramel, some bread on the back end.
Medium body with medium carbonation. Smooth to the palate.
Well executed Double IPA.
388 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Canned October 25th 2017.
Pours a clear reddish colour, not unlike Celebration in appearance. Same awesome head of foam and lacing.
Pine, grapefruit, toasted malt with some sweet notes smell.
Grapefruit and pine hoppines, toasted malt is very evident, sweet caramel, some bread on the back end.
Medium body with medium carbonation. Smooth to the palate.
Well executed Double IPA.
388 characters
3.85/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
sierra nevada does not do a great job with quality control in the market in my experience, wherever i am drinking their beer it seems to be a few months old at least, i wish they paid a little better attention to this, but these are out there in the market right now and still tasting pretty good, so its hard to be critical, but i bet it was even better when it was brand new. the session is the only one in the box that still seems pungently fresh, but i love the concept of the box, a bunch of different wet hopped beers, i think its a unique and fairly priced offering, enjoyable and fun. this one has a richer color to it, bronze with a tall white head in my brandy snifter, with immaculate clarity and a nose captured by the glass of fresh zested and candied orange at the same time, white pine, fresh cut, and a spicy sort of cascade or chinook profile, although i have no idea which hops theyve used, it certainly has a northwestern complexion, lovely and enticing, although likely faded some since being canned. the flavor is almost there with the nose, a little maltier, sweeter, more oily, and heavy than it smells, but still with the unique fresh hop character, and not overly grainy, this is still almost entirely hop driven. its tidy in the finish, moderately bitter, and drinkable for its strength, floral, piney, and simple but delicious, impressive really. im very glad they made this box of beers, they are all nice! wintery when i let it be.
1,461 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
sierra nevada does not do a great job with quality control in the market in my experience, wherever i am drinking their beer it seems to be a few months old at least, i wish they paid a little better attention to this, but these are out there in the market right now and still tasting pretty good, so its hard to be critical, but i bet it was even better when it was brand new. the session is the only one in the box that still seems pungently fresh, but i love the concept of the box, a bunch of different wet hopped beers, i think its a unique and fairly priced offering, enjoyable and fun. this one has a richer color to it, bronze with a tall white head in my brandy snifter, with immaculate clarity and a nose captured by the glass of fresh zested and candied orange at the same time, white pine, fresh cut, and a spicy sort of cascade or chinook profile, although i have no idea which hops theyve used, it certainly has a northwestern complexion, lovely and enticing, although likely faded some since being canned. the flavor is almost there with the nose, a little maltier, sweeter, more oily, and heavy than it smells, but still with the unique fresh hop character, and not overly grainy, this is still almost entirely hop driven. its tidy in the finish, moderately bitter, and drinkable for its strength, floral, piney, and simple but delicious, impressive really. im very glad they made this box of beers, they are all nice! wintery when i let it be.
1,461 characters
4.04/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Appearance: dark amber in color with a 1" head that falls to a thick surface covering. Nice lace develops.
Smell: earthy, wood, and citrus rise from the glass.
Taste: caramel, grapefruit, grainy bread, earthy tones, and a bit of pine. A dank bitterness lingers.
Mouthfeel: medium bodied beer. Crisp throughout with some dryness arriving late.
Overall: a definite fresh hop beer as the flavors come through nicely. Easy to drink despite high ABV.
449 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Appearance: dark amber in color with a 1" head that falls to a thick surface covering. Nice lace develops.
Smell: earthy, wood, and citrus rise from the glass.
Taste: caramel, grapefruit, grainy bread, earthy tones, and a bit of pine. A dank bitterness lingers.
Mouthfeel: medium bodied beer. Crisp throughout with some dryness arriving late.
Overall: a definite fresh hop beer as the flavors come through nicely. Easy to drink despite high ABV.
449 characters
4.2/5 rDev +7.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Clear deep amber with three fingers of dense bone color head. The head lasts about ten minutes and leaves rings of lace as it drops.
Smell is rich malts with some herbal hops.
Taste is rich malts with a balanced amount of herbal hop bitterness.
Mouthfeel is medium with good carbonation. The finish is lightly dry and medium bitter.
Overall a tasty DIPA. Leans a bit toward the sweet side.
392 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Clear deep amber with three fingers of dense bone color head. The head lasts about ten minutes and leaves rings of lace as it drops.
Smell is rich malts with some herbal hops.
Taste is rich malts with a balanced amount of herbal hop bitterness.
Mouthfeel is medium with good carbonation. The finish is lightly dry and medium bitter.
Overall a tasty DIPA. Leans a bit toward the sweet side.
392 characters
3.88/5 rDev -1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
This is more an imperial red ale. Not a IIPA. Pours deep amber/copper hue with a very nice head and awesome lacing. Nose is woody, caramel, toffee, some nice toasted grains and earthy slightly woody hops. Smells nice, great beer, but a poor IIPA. Flavors are very close to the nose-woody hops, nice toasted caramel malts, lovely fresh hops here-herbal almost tea like quality with nice firm bitterness.
402 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
This is more an imperial red ale. Not a IIPA. Pours deep amber/copper hue with a very nice head and awesome lacing. Nose is woody, caramel, toffee, some nice toasted grains and earthy slightly woody hops. Smells nice, great beer, but a poor IIPA. Flavors are very close to the nose-woody hops, nice toasted caramel malts, lovely fresh hops here-herbal almost tea like quality with nice firm bitterness.
402 characters
3.78/5 rDev -3.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a 12 oz can into a clear glass tulip. Pkgd on 101317 on bottom of can.
A: Dark amber with 1-finger light beige head with average retention and some scraps of lacing.
S: Pine and herbal hops with light and medium caramel with a little bit of sweet bread
T: Flavor is a bready medium caramel malt backbone with pine, floral, light grapefruit citrus, and herbal notes. Bitterness is medium with no yeast character.
M: Reasonably drinkable with medium body with moderately dry finish and low-average carbonation.
O: An interesting malt-forward double IPA that reminds me of a softer version of Heretic Evil Twin — malt and hops characters are both subdued to provide balance and drinkability. Glad I tried it but not generally what I am looking for in a DIPA.
775 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a 12 oz can into a clear glass tulip. Pkgd on 101317 on bottom of can.
A: Dark amber with 1-finger light beige head with average retention and some scraps of lacing.
S: Pine and herbal hops with light and medium caramel with a little bit of sweet bread
T: Flavor is a bready medium caramel malt backbone with pine, floral, light grapefruit citrus, and herbal notes. Bitterness is medium with no yeast character.
M: Reasonably drinkable with medium body with moderately dry finish and low-average carbonation.
O: An interesting malt-forward double IPA that reminds me of a softer version of Heretic Evil Twin — malt and hops characters are both subdued to provide balance and drinkability. Glad I tried it but not generally what I am looking for in a DIPA.
775 characters
3.93/5 rDev +0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A: crystal clear; mahogany in color; 1 finger light khaki head that receded to a wispy cap; nice lacing;
S: floral for a moment, then pine;
T: earthy to pine to caramel and back to earthy; mild to moderate bitterness on the finish;
M: medium bodied; moderate carbonation; moderately dry finish;
O: well made - you expect that from Sierra Nevada; a little too malty for my taste;
382 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A: crystal clear; mahogany in color; 1 finger light khaki head that receded to a wispy cap; nice lacing;
S: floral for a moment, then pine;
T: earthy to pine to caramel and back to earthy; mild to moderate bitterness on the finish;
M: medium bodied; moderate carbonation; moderately dry finish;
O: well made - you expect that from Sierra Nevada; a little too malty for my taste;
382 characters
3.92/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Very dark for IPA--almost dark brown. Was quite surprising coming out of the glass.
Little head, not a huge nose.
Great bite and drinks light for DIPA.
"imperial" Celebration IMO
182 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Very dark for IPA--almost dark brown. Was quite surprising coming out of the glass.
Little head, not a huge nose.
Great bite and drinks light for DIPA.
"imperial" Celebration IMO
182 characters
3.95/5 rDev +0.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Beautiful clear, dark reddish amber
Long lasting creamy off white head.
Earthy and floral dank aroma.
Strong malt, roasted grain.
Hoppy but not fruity or citrus.
Interesting IPA, that definitely fits the colder weather hop harvest season.
238 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Beautiful clear, dark reddish amber
Long lasting creamy off white head.
Earthy and floral dank aroma.
Strong malt, roasted grain.
Hoppy but not fruity or citrus.
Interesting IPA, that definitely fits the colder weather hop harvest season.
238 characters
3.69/5 rDev -5.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a 10/19/17 can to tulip.
L-dark red/brown w/ medium head. Fades to lace and thin head rather quickly
S- Mild hop, medium malt. Aroma is mild on this one.
T- Backwards- Malt in the front alcohol in the middle, hops at the back. Maybe I am biased by the color.
F- Appropriate ( I know a cop out).
Overall, not super for the ABV budget I spent on this, I mean I have other beers to drink this afternoon.
415 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Poured from a 10/19/17 can to tulip.
L-dark red/brown w/ medium head. Fades to lace and thin head rather quickly
S- Mild hop, medium malt. Aroma is mild on this one.
T- Backwards- Malt in the front alcohol in the middle, hops at the back. Maybe I am biased by the color.
F- Appropriate ( I know a cop out).
Overall, not super for the ABV budget I spent on this, I mean I have other beers to drink this afternoon.
415 characters
3.69/5 rDev -5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
12oz canned 10-13-17
Deep amber/red, great clarity with a 1/2" off white head.
Spicy hop aroma. Sticky pine. Earthy. Bready malt, rye bread maybe.
Pine and weedy hop flavor, bitter grapefruit rind is present as the beer warms.
Slick mouthfeel, oily. A little less than mid-level carbonation. Some heat.
Unique DIPA, not what I expected...not sure what I expected though.
Really enjoying all the new innovation from Sierra Nevada.
431 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
12oz canned 10-13-17
Deep amber/red, great clarity with a 1/2" off white head.
Spicy hop aroma. Sticky pine. Earthy. Bready malt, rye bread maybe.
Pine and weedy hop flavor, bitter grapefruit rind is present as the beer warms.
Slick mouthfeel, oily. A little less than mid-level carbonation. Some heat.
Unique DIPA, not what I expected...not sure what I expected though.
Really enjoying all the new innovation from Sierra Nevada.
431 characters
4/5 rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Clear light amber pour with an off-white head. Light grassy and bready aroma. Taste is malty with dank, earthy and tea-like flavors. Has a light grapefruit bitterness. Can also taste some bread and caramel.
206 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Clear light amber pour with an off-white head. Light grassy and bready aroma. Taste is malty with dank, earthy and tea-like flavors. Has a light grapefruit bitterness. Can also taste some bread and caramel.
206 characters
3.67/5 rDev -6.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Pours a nice dark amber color with a big frothy beige head.
Whiffs of pine, light pineapple, and light caramel.
Tastes is pretty hoppy on this DIPA.....definitely fresh hops. Citrus forward and some spice on the finish. Reminds me of a hopped up Celebration. Grapefruit rind aftertaste.
Overall I thought this was just okay. I'm still waiting for an awesome DIPA (not imperial) from this crew but this was a bit meh. It just seemed a bit too much like their other flagship beers.
487 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Pours a nice dark amber color with a big frothy beige head.
Whiffs of pine, light pineapple, and light caramel.
Tastes is pretty hoppy on this DIPA.....definitely fresh hops. Citrus forward and some spice on the finish. Reminds me of a hopped up Celebration. Grapefruit rind aftertaste.
Overall I thought this was just okay. I'm still waiting for an awesome DIPA (not imperial) from this crew but this was a bit meh. It just seemed a bit too much like their other flagship beers.
487 characters
4.19/5 rDev +6.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Canned date 10/25/17
Appearance - Pours relatively clear and dark amber in color with a sandstone colored, two-finger width head. Good retention, resulting in a thin, broken layer of suds and a fair-sized ring encircling the edge of the glass. Strong lacing, with sheeting that breaks off into broken webbing and lesser spotting.
Smell - Nearly as malty as it is hoppy, with notes of green leaf, citrus, pine, light earth, toasted bread and caramel malts.
Taste - Follows the nose. Hops and malts play near equals, with the hops coming out just on top.
Mouthfeel - On the fuller side of medium-bodied with lightly bitey carbonation. Slick, near velvety mouthfeel with a smooth, semi-dry finish.
Overall - Pretty delicious. Another reviewer mentioned that it's a lot like Celebration, and I'd have to agree, though this one has much more of that 'leafy, oily' fresh hop character to it. With the Session, IPA, DIPA and Celebration, this SN Fresh Hop variety pack is one of the best variety packs they've ever offered. I'm on my second pack now and might even get through another 2-3 before it's all said and done.
1,118 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Canned date 10/25/17
Appearance - Pours relatively clear and dark amber in color with a sandstone colored, two-finger width head. Good retention, resulting in a thin, broken layer of suds and a fair-sized ring encircling the edge of the glass. Strong lacing, with sheeting that breaks off into broken webbing and lesser spotting.
Smell - Nearly as malty as it is hoppy, with notes of green leaf, citrus, pine, light earth, toasted bread and caramel malts.
Taste - Follows the nose. Hops and malts play near equals, with the hops coming out just on top.
Mouthfeel - On the fuller side of medium-bodied with lightly bitey carbonation. Slick, near velvety mouthfeel with a smooth, semi-dry finish.
Overall - Pretty delicious. Another reviewer mentioned that it's a lot like Celebration, and I'd have to agree, though this one has much more of that 'leafy, oily' fresh hop character to it. With the Session, IPA, DIPA and Celebration, this SN Fresh Hop variety pack is one of the best variety packs they've ever offered. I'm on my second pack now and might even get through another 2-3 before it's all said and done.
1,118 characters
Fresh Hop Double IPA from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Beer rating:
88 out of
100 with
132 ratings
0 characters. We love reviews! Turn your rating into one with ≥ 150 characters.
Explain why you're giving this rating. Your review must discuss the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) and your overall impression in order to indicate that you have legitimately tried the beer. Nonconstructive reviews may be removed without notice and action may be taken on your account.
Close