Humulus Lager
The Bruery
Beer Geek Stats:
| Print Shelf Talker
- Style:
- American Imperial Pilsner
Ranked #2 - ABV:
- 7.2%
- Score:
- 95
Ranked #835 - Avg:
- 4.3 | pDev: 9.07%
- Reviews:
- 159
- Ratings:
- From:
- The Bruery
- California, United States
- Avail:
- Rotating
- Wants
- 180
- Gots
- 50
SCORE
95
World-Class
95
World-Class
Notes:
India Pale Lager, but closer to Imperial Pilsner than IPA, according to the brewery.
Reviews: 159
| Ratings: 1,015
Reviews by tarheels86:
3.18/5 rDev -26%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5
Tap at PP Old Town. Pours a chill haze light orange. Sheety white lacing. Nose is hoppy, citrusy, pithy melon, sweat. Taste is dry, very nutty, meaty, lots of paper on the finish. Moving to extremely soapy. Hard to finish. My rating: 3.2 Fiancé rating: 3.6
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5
Tap at PP Old Town. Pours a chill haze light orange. Sheety white lacing. Nose is hoppy, citrusy, pithy melon, sweat. Taste is dry, very nutty, meaty, lots of paper on the finish. Moving to extremely soapy. Hard to finish. My rating: 3.2 Fiancé rating: 3.6
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More User Reviews:
4.7/5 rDev +9.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
not only the best lager ive ever had (not even a close second), but possible the best beer ive ever put to my lips. this stuff is incredible. on tap at the monk on Colfax. the pour is glowing golden with an orange hue, mostly clear, and an inch of white thick whipped cream looking head that lasts, and is easily roused with a swirl of the globe. the nose is really hoppy, this was obviously dry hopped generously. the lager yeast gives it a crispness, and I smell some tropical fruit in there with all the bitterness. the flavor is just astounding, it has a very similar hop complexion to the pliny the younger, no kidding. its that decadent. the grains are light on the toast but give a lot of body, which I think works well with the lager yeast, a fuller bodied crisp clean beer with a ton of hops, its really a nice and new combo. so much fruit and hop oil here, ive really never had anything like it. the mouthfeel is also fantastic, lots of tiny bubbles and a full body make it feel like almost a nitro dispense, and the texture is so big and coats the whole mouth with this fresh hopped goodness. this is a beer that is worth every bit of its hype, it reopens the lager category as exciting for me, and it is another reason why the bruery is near the top of the brewing world right now. this is absolutely divine, and I cannot wait for my next one. A+
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
not only the best lager ive ever had (not even a close second), but possible the best beer ive ever put to my lips. this stuff is incredible. on tap at the monk on Colfax. the pour is glowing golden with an orange hue, mostly clear, and an inch of white thick whipped cream looking head that lasts, and is easily roused with a swirl of the globe. the nose is really hoppy, this was obviously dry hopped generously. the lager yeast gives it a crispness, and I smell some tropical fruit in there with all the bitterness. the flavor is just astounding, it has a very similar hop complexion to the pliny the younger, no kidding. its that decadent. the grains are light on the toast but give a lot of body, which I think works well with the lager yeast, a fuller bodied crisp clean beer with a ton of hops, its really a nice and new combo. so much fruit and hop oil here, ive really never had anything like it. the mouthfeel is also fantastic, lots of tiny bubbles and a full body make it feel like almost a nitro dispense, and the texture is so big and coats the whole mouth with this fresh hopped goodness. this is a beer that is worth every bit of its hype, it reopens the lager category as exciting for me, and it is another reason why the bruery is near the top of the brewing world right now. this is absolutely divine, and I cannot wait for my next one. A+
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4.14/5 rDev -3.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
I had this on-tap at Max's, served in a goblet.
Pours a clear amber with gold hue and a layer of off white head. Smells of fresh green hops, citrus peel, and some sweet bready malt undertones. The taste is made up of citrus peel bitterness, green hops, and a sweetmalt and bitter hop finish. The body is medium with tingly carbonation and a finish that is not very dry.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
I had this on-tap at Max's, served in a goblet.
Pours a clear amber with gold hue and a layer of off white head. Smells of fresh green hops, citrus peel, and some sweet bready malt undertones. The taste is made up of citrus peel bitterness, green hops, and a sweetmalt and bitter hop finish. The body is medium with tingly carbonation and a finish that is not very dry.
370 characters
4.4/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
Draft serving in a tulip glass.
Bright saturated orange, bright clarity, lasting presence of creamy white foam on the surface. Fluffy couple fingers of foam that last for awhile. Lots of lace, looks more like an IPA.
Resiny pungent hop aroma, citrus sweetness, fresh and dank.
Very smooth and easy drinking, a fistful of citrus hits first, lots of grapefruit and resiny hop oils. Moderate bitterness that sticks in the teeth, lingering long into the aftertaste. Grapefruit flesh and pith dominate, this is a deceptive lager base, as it masquerades as a dank west coast IPA. Pretty nice stuff, hope we see more of it in Chicago.
"This lil motherfucker is tasty!" - Mr. Show
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
Draft serving in a tulip glass.
Bright saturated orange, bright clarity, lasting presence of creamy white foam on the surface. Fluffy couple fingers of foam that last for awhile. Lots of lace, looks more like an IPA.
Resiny pungent hop aroma, citrus sweetness, fresh and dank.
Very smooth and easy drinking, a fistful of citrus hits first, lots of grapefruit and resiny hop oils. Moderate bitterness that sticks in the teeth, lingering long into the aftertaste. Grapefruit flesh and pith dominate, this is a deceptive lager base, as it masquerades as a dank west coast IPA. Pretty nice stuff, hope we see more of it in Chicago.
"This lil motherfucker is tasty!" - Mr. Show
676 characters
4.18/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
On-tap 9/8/2014 at Doherty’s Ale House in Warwick, RI, served in a snifter glass.
A: The beer is a deep gold color, with a large off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick but spotty lace on the glass.
S: The aroma contains floral hops, caramelized malts, lager yeast and citrus.
T: The taste starts out with a strong but not over-powering hops bitterness. Then some citrus and caramel sweetness comes in followed by breadiness from lager yeast and a hearty malt character creating a very good balance. The after-taste is slightly hoppy and slightly sweet.
M: Crisp and very smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is clean.
O: Very tasty, goes down very easily, not too filling, decent kick, very good representation of style, this is a very solid beer to drink for a long time if you’re in the mood for the style.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
On-tap 9/8/2014 at Doherty’s Ale House in Warwick, RI, served in a snifter glass.
A: The beer is a deep gold color, with a large off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick but spotty lace on the glass.
S: The aroma contains floral hops, caramelized malts, lager yeast and citrus.
T: The taste starts out with a strong but not over-powering hops bitterness. Then some citrus and caramel sweetness comes in followed by breadiness from lager yeast and a hearty malt character creating a very good balance. The after-taste is slightly hoppy and slightly sweet.
M: Crisp and very smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is clean.
O: Very tasty, goes down very easily, not too filling, decent kick, very good representation of style, this is a very solid beer to drink for a long time if you’re in the mood for the style.
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3.67/5 rDev -14.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
4.11/5 rDev -4.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.88/5 rDev +13.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
This is the best imperial pils I have ever tasted. The amount of hops is just right, and brings out the freshness, citrus, and crispness of this brew, it strikes an excellent balance that just works for me. Not as strong as DIPA, which can easily be too hoppy or boozy. I suspect it must be tasted on tap.
I can drink this all summer long, if I can get my hands on it.
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look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
This is the best imperial pils I have ever tasted. The amount of hops is just right, and brings out the freshness, citrus, and crispness of this brew, it strikes an excellent balance that just works for me. Not as strong as DIPA, which can easily be too hoppy or boozy. I suspect it must be tasted on tap.
I can drink this all summer long, if I can get my hands on it.
369 characters
4.72/5 rDev +9.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Very happy I got to try this one. Thanks again Mark for this opportunity. Going into this beer I have really high expectations. I have had a few of the distributed beers from the Bruery and have not really been impressed. That being said, I was told their on-tap brews are amazing...so here we go. Poured from a growler into a snifter.
A- Pours a dark golden, maize color. Produced two fingers width of white pillowy head. Some lacing left along the sides of the glass. Clarity was at 100%.
S- Absolutely ridiculous. The aroma just from pouring the beer out of the growler was so noticeable. I found the aroma in this beer to be quite interesting. On one hand there is a cornucopia of rich, citrus hops, revealing notes of oranges, lemons, and pineapples. On the other there is a clear, piney aroma with a bit of malt that attempts to balance it out. The result is an aroma of citrus candy with an after scent of pine and malt.
T- Much like the aroma...plenty of citrus hops countered by a piney attribute and slight bit of cracker/biscuit type malts. What I really liked about this beer was that the bitter piney hops, along with the malts, left a clean, crisp, bitter taste on the palate. Very refreshing and an interesting twist when you are expecting a straight forward citrus hop bomb.
M- Light bodied, with a decent amount of carbonation. Loved the slightly sticky residue this beer left on the palate.
D- Probably the most drinkable beer I have ever had, especially with a beer at this high of an abv. I can't believe how fast this one went down.
Overall, well...I stand corrected. The Bruery has produced something that has blown my mind. After this experience I will most definitely be seeking out some of their more limited offerings.
1,756 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Very happy I got to try this one. Thanks again Mark for this opportunity. Going into this beer I have really high expectations. I have had a few of the distributed beers from the Bruery and have not really been impressed. That being said, I was told their on-tap brews are amazing...so here we go. Poured from a growler into a snifter.
A- Pours a dark golden, maize color. Produced two fingers width of white pillowy head. Some lacing left along the sides of the glass. Clarity was at 100%.
S- Absolutely ridiculous. The aroma just from pouring the beer out of the growler was so noticeable. I found the aroma in this beer to be quite interesting. On one hand there is a cornucopia of rich, citrus hops, revealing notes of oranges, lemons, and pineapples. On the other there is a clear, piney aroma with a bit of malt that attempts to balance it out. The result is an aroma of citrus candy with an after scent of pine and malt.
T- Much like the aroma...plenty of citrus hops countered by a piney attribute and slight bit of cracker/biscuit type malts. What I really liked about this beer was that the bitter piney hops, along with the malts, left a clean, crisp, bitter taste on the palate. Very refreshing and an interesting twist when you are expecting a straight forward citrus hop bomb.
M- Light bodied, with a decent amount of carbonation. Loved the slightly sticky residue this beer left on the palate.
D- Probably the most drinkable beer I have ever had, especially with a beer at this high of an abv. I can't believe how fast this one went down.
Overall, well...I stand corrected. The Bruery has produced something that has blown my mind. After this experience I will most definitely be seeking out some of their more limited offerings.
1,756 characters
Humulus Lager from The Bruery
Beer rating:
95 out of
100 with
1015 ratings
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