Tricerahops Double IPA
Ninkasi Brewing Company

Tricerahops Double IPATricerahops Double IPA
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From:
Ninkasi Brewing Company
 
Oregon, United States
Style:
Imperial IPA
Ranked #1,640
ABV:
8%
Score:
90
Ranked #10,085
Avg:
4.01 | pDev: 10.47%
Reviews:
490
Ratings:
1,881
Status:
Active
Rated:
Aug 03, 2023
Added:
Jul 30, 2007
Wants:
  202
Gots:
  500
No description / notes.
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Ratings by BuckeyeNation:
Photo of BuckeyeNation
Reviewed by BuckeyeNation from Iowa

3.68/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
"Tricerahops is double of everything you already love in an IPA. More hops, more malt body and a higher gravity define this Double India Pale Ale. Fiercely flavorful, guaranteed to satisfy."

--Tricerahops Double IPA label

Polished kumquat with a handful of swirling yeast that settle into suspension shortly after the pour. Unfiltered (hoppy) beer looks better, smells better and tastes better. The bone white cap tops out at two fingers and more than does its part to add to the attractive appearance. Hopefully, lotsa lace means lotsa hop resins.

Once the foam melts a little, the nose is able to be appreciated. It's pretty good, but it isn't roaring out of the glass. The citric cheesiness brings Cascade to mind. One other variety might be present; it's hard to say for sure.

This Ninkasi offering isn't a rampaging, slavering, ripsnorting, carnivorous beast of a DIPA, but then triceratops were placid plant eaters, weren't they? Yeah, I'm well aware that the beer's name is TriceraHOPS, but with a name like that it should be hoppier. If the brewery is claiming that this DIPA is twice as hoppy as Total Domination IPA, I don't believe it for a second.

The biggest reason it's still above average is that it's closer to a big IPA (as all versions of the style should be) than a barleywine in disguise. In other words, there isn't so much malt that it gunks up the taste buds with sugars. It provides a modest amount of sugar cookie sweetness, then gets the hell out of the way. Trouble is, hops don't exactly rush into the breach.

Candied lemon and grapefruit peel are present, as is a modicum of funky cheesiness that adds another level of flavor interest. The IBUs might be higher here, but this beer doesn't seem as hoppy as Total Domination... which wasn't a hop bomb anyway. Fresh and right out of the keg it just might be killer. Too bad I'll probably never know for sure.

While the mouthfeel is a fraction lighter than the style average, it doesn't deserve to be dinged for it. It has just enough smooth stickiness to be enjoyable, while still allowing one to sip or drink quickly with equal ease. The ABV tastes and feels like a misprint. I'd have guessed at least two percentage points lower.

Tricerahops is a great name for a DIPA. Too bad the beer isn't as spectacular as the name. I'm sure there are those who think the world of it, but from my perspective, if the brewery wants to keep this offering from becoming extinct, they need to use a bigger shovel when adding hops to the kettle.
May 09, 2008
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4 by Anacross from Oregon

Jul 09, 2023
Photo of NorsemanOne
Reviewed by NorsemanOne from Utah

4.13/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Canned 3.7.23

Poured at fridge temp into a willi glass

Pours a clean and clear earthy honey gold with a 2F tan and soapy consistency head. 4

Fairly strong pine and bitter floral aroma. Pungent but not overwhelming. 4

Balanced sweet and full malt bite at first, gives into bitter and deep pine, finishes out with lightly sweet floral hoppiness. 4.25

Lingering resinous hop oils, moderately filling, though lighter on the carbo. 4.25

Overall a very nice double that is a great balance of floral hops, resinous pine, and gentle subtle sweetness. Would absolutely have again. 4
Jun 17, 2023
 
Rated: 4 by MobBarley from Oregon

Apr 01, 2023
 
Rated: 4.35 by Beergod420 from Michigan

Jan 31, 2023
Photo of LucidoMMA
Reviewed by LucidoMMA from California

4.06/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a dark golden color with a finger and a half of a pillowy head.

Very malty smell, some floral notes also some pine notes.

Taste of it has pine right up front, almost immediate hop bite that lasts throughout and lingers. Definitely a malty-backbone but not too sweet. Leaves significant lacing all around the glass.
Nov 15, 2022
Photo of MaddDoGG5150
Reviewed by MaddDoGG5150 from California

3.97/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Appearance: Pours a clear, golden color with a copper hue when held up to the light. Medium carbonation. A thick, sticky white foam head.

Aroma: Floral, piney, and some breadiness. Notable malts in the background.

Taste: Piney and floral notes up front, citric peel in the middle, malty in the back. A slight boozie bitterness that slowly increases, and lingers in the finish.

Overall: Overall, this is a decent double ipa, without all the bells and whistles that you commonly see these days. It knows how to make simplicity work. It reminds me of a good old wholesome beer that I can see myself enjoying at a barbecue with some good friends.
Sep 13, 2022
 
Rated: 4.72 by AmitC from New York

Jul 30, 2022
 
Rated: 4.13 by Wainfu from New Hampshire

Jun 24, 2022
 
Rated: 3.75 by StArnoldFan from Texas

May 01, 2022
Photo of TheBricenator
Reviewed by TheBricenator from Oregon

4.23/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Look: Nearly clear burnt orange with a billowing white head that pillows up and slowly puckers away, leaving great lacing behind
Aroma: Pine, floral notes, lemon, tangelos, a little strawberry, oranges, bready malt, and grapefruit rind
Taste: Pine-led conifer and floral hops kick it off and I get some star jasmine, gardenia, and musky rose in the mix. Citrus fruits filter in and join the fold as the bready malt sweetness peeks in to say hello before conifers regain a powerful hold and along with a great bite, close it out
Mouthfeel: Full, lightly slick, medium-high carbonation, a little alcohol heat, and quite dry on the finish
Overall: This is tasty stuff and one of my favorite beers from these folks. It’s a nice, classic, and well-made old-school WCDIPA with all the conifer/citrus aromas/flavors going on plus nice floral notes and with plenty of malt, a little heat, a bold bite, and dryness – all of which jives with me. Glad they finally put this in sixers years ago and recommended
Jan 13, 2022
Photo of jbolger
Rated by jbolger from Connecticut

3.69/5  rDev -8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
12/22/22 canned 10/9. Alcohol dominates. Clear. Muted aroma. 19 oz can? No fruit. Limited bitterness. Not much else going on
Dec 22, 2021
 
Rated: 3.84 by lemmy187 from Missouri

Nov 06, 2021
 
Rated: 2.15 by stephenlee93 from England

Oct 02, 2021
Photo of frankdatank1337
Reviewed by frankdatank1337 from California

3.68/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Its like a smoother version on the Total Domination IPA. When I first had this several years ago it was mind blowing, now it's kinda meh. Its a classic WC IPA thats decent but leaves a sour taste in your mouth.
Sep 22, 2021
 
Rated: 4.24 by Justinprintz from New Jersey

Sep 13, 2021
 
Rated: 4.03 by Curt3 from Ohio

Jul 12, 2021
 
Rated: 3.77 by gefinley from California

May 29, 2021
Photo of barneyrubble
Reviewed by barneyrubble from Colorado

3.05/5  rDev -23.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Light tan fine soft foam head forms from can to tulip glass. Head settles quickly to a thin top leaving some light loose lace.

Color is deep gold to orange with lots of fine suspended particulate and about 50% transparency. I like the tiny flecks , it reminds me of Bell's Amber Ale.

Nose is rather weak with some malt, maybe a touch of yeast, and some unidentified fruit note.

Taste comes off rather plain with nary a touch of malt and pronounced astringent bitter pine hops. Not crazy bitter but it just stays on the sides of the tongue and mouth and feels metallic, alcoholic and leads to an astringent finish.

Mouthfeel presents as light medium body to start moving to dry one note bitterness and alcohol notes. Finish is astringent and sticky.

This beer is too restrained in flavor and too amped in strong hops that either promote the alcohol taste or tend to mimic it. I would have preferred some more flavor notes from the hops and a bit more malt to counter the strong alcohol vibe. I'll stick to Myrcenary for my Imperial IPA.
Oct 11, 2020
Tricerahops Double IPA from Ninkasi Brewing Company
Beer rating: 90 out of 100 with 1881 ratings