Hoperation Tripel Cross Belgian IPA | Phillips Brewing Company
Brewed by:
Phillips Brewing Company
British Columbia, Canada
phillipsbeer.com
Style: Belgian IPA
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 8.00%
Availability: Winter
Notes / Commercial Description:
You can almost hear the sirens as you pop the cap on this bomber. This IPA slams hop first into a classic belgian yeast to create a super fortress of flavour.
Added by canucklehead on 02-13-2011
Ratings: 138 | Reviews: 51
5/5 rDev +27.2%
rogerdandy, Feb 18, 2014
4.85/5 rDev +23.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Phillips Hoperation pours a bright, gold, with some orange and a nice fluffy head. The aroma is fruity and slightly estery with herbal and mildly citrusy hops, as well as a nice phenolic character. The flavor is a delicious mix of spicy, citrusy hops, fruity and dry chalky yeast. The fruity esters start sweet, but the beer finishes dry with a nice balance of phenols and bitterness. A slight resiny character lingers in the finish. The alcohol is hidden completely.
Overall this is one of the best Belgian IPA's I've had. There is a great balance of bitterness, hop flavor and yeast. It definitely tastes like more thought went into it besides just throwing a Belgian yeast into an IPA.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Phillips Hoperation pours a bright, gold, with some orange and a nice fluffy head. The aroma is fruity and slightly estery with herbal and mildly citrusy hops, as well as a nice phenolic character. The flavor is a delicious mix of spicy, citrusy hops, fruity and dry chalky yeast. The fruity esters start sweet, but the beer finishes dry with a nice balance of phenols and bitterness. A slight resiny character lingers in the finish. The alcohol is hidden completely.
Overall this is one of the best Belgian IPA's I've had. There is a great balance of bitterness, hop flavor and yeast. It definitely tastes like more thought went into it besides just throwing a Belgian yeast into an IPA.
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4.75/5 rDev +20.9%
Two of my favourite styles beautifully combined. A must try for Hop enthusiasts.
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Two of my favourite styles beautifully combined. A must try for Hop enthusiasts.
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4.42/5 rDev +12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
A - poured into a tulip, a clear bright golden, solid white head left consistent lacing as it dissipated slowly
S - yeasty aromas of sour citrus and banana, herbal and grassy hop smells, very interesting
T - grassy hop bomb up front followed quickly by pungent ripe fruit yeastiness, finishing with earthy and floral flavours, the layering of the flavours is unique and special
M - light with medium carbonation, a strong bitterness dominates
O - an unique and outstanding blend of flavours that come through in layers, a hop bomb as the label depicts with the big belgian flavour creating a unique dichotomy, in my opinion Phillips is one of if not the absolute leader of Canadian craft brewing
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look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
A - poured into a tulip, a clear bright golden, solid white head left consistent lacing as it dissipated slowly
S - yeasty aromas of sour citrus and banana, herbal and grassy hop smells, very interesting
T - grassy hop bomb up front followed quickly by pungent ripe fruit yeastiness, finishing with earthy and floral flavours, the layering of the flavours is unique and special
M - light with medium carbonation, a strong bitterness dominates
O - an unique and outstanding blend of flavours that come through in layers, a hop bomb as the label depicts with the big belgian flavour creating a unique dichotomy, in my opinion Phillips is one of if not the absolute leader of Canadian craft brewing
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4.42/5 rDev +12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
650ml bomber poured into tulip 3/7/11
A very hazy golden orange with just enough clarity to see the slow raising bubbles that feed a tight two fingers of head that retains well leaving lots of lace on the way down
S big on the Belgian yeast with lots of tropical fruit, pineapple, faint grapefruit rind among others, and just a little peppery spice
T much like the smell but more rind and the yeast works very well for it, perhaps some faint caramel but more hops then anything and the booze is well hidden
M light and fluffy with a little bitter bite to it
O very nice representation of the the style with the yeast and hops leading the way, very solid beer that went down a little too easy
I think this is my first crack at Phillips, well first review anyways and I'm impressed for sure. I think they did a great job with this one and can't wait to try some of their other stuff. Its a hop bomb but not the west Coast style were all used too but I loved the yeast profile and will be drinking this again
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look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
650ml bomber poured into tulip 3/7/11
A very hazy golden orange with just enough clarity to see the slow raising bubbles that feed a tight two fingers of head that retains well leaving lots of lace on the way down
S big on the Belgian yeast with lots of tropical fruit, pineapple, faint grapefruit rind among others, and just a little peppery spice
T much like the smell but more rind and the yeast works very well for it, perhaps some faint caramel but more hops then anything and the booze is well hidden
M light and fluffy with a little bitter bite to it
O very nice representation of the the style with the yeast and hops leading the way, very solid beer that went down a little too easy
I think this is my first crack at Phillips, well first review anyways and I'm impressed for sure. I think they did a great job with this one and can't wait to try some of their other stuff. Its a hop bomb but not the west Coast style were all used too but I loved the yeast profile and will be drinking this again
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4.42/5 rDev +12.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Thanks CBA.
A - Golden in colour, dotted with very small chunks. Two finger fluffy white head fades to half finger cap that sustains. Bright, aside from the small chunks.
S - Amazing aroma. Wonderful Belgian yeast moves great with a modest amount of hops. It might be the hop variety used, but it's less aggressive than other Belgian IPAs in the hop profile, yet much more complimentary. Very fruity.
T - Wonderfully balanced between yeast and hop bite. Fruity combination in both profiles. Fruity yeast takes the cake but the hop profile is a nice compliment. Some toasted malt shows up as well with a vegetal element which is nice.
M - Medium carbonation, light body. Odd. Refreshing.
D - Very high drinkability. I like this alot. Body obviously brings the score down but just proof that Belgian IPAs are some delicious beers. Well done Phillips.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Thanks CBA.
A - Golden in colour, dotted with very small chunks. Two finger fluffy white head fades to half finger cap that sustains. Bright, aside from the small chunks.
S - Amazing aroma. Wonderful Belgian yeast moves great with a modest amount of hops. It might be the hop variety used, but it's less aggressive than other Belgian IPAs in the hop profile, yet much more complimentary. Very fruity.
T - Wonderfully balanced between yeast and hop bite. Fruity combination in both profiles. Fruity yeast takes the cake but the hop profile is a nice compliment. Some toasted malt shows up as well with a vegetal element which is nice.
M - Medium carbonation, light body. Odd. Refreshing.
D - Very high drinkability. I like this alot. Body obviously brings the score down but just proof that Belgian IPAs are some delicious beers. Well done Phillips.
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4.4/5 rDev +12%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
A: Clear, yellow straw, big white head, good retention, great lace.
S: Earthy funk, marmalade, lemon zest, floral with hints of grass & pine. More Belgian than American IPA & I like it.
T: Leathery, phenolic spicing, earthy, lemon zest, nectarine, hints of grass & pine, light biscuity malt, solid bitterness, alcohol is well-hidden. This is more Belgian, and less IPA than I thought it would be, and I really like it!
M: Really well-attenuated, moderate body, well carbonated, hint of acidity, drying finish. Very 'digestible' as a Belgian pale should be.
D: A good drinker.
Well-crafted, not at all over-the-top. Sort of a new-world rendition of Orval. Great stuff.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
A: Clear, yellow straw, big white head, good retention, great lace.
S: Earthy funk, marmalade, lemon zest, floral with hints of grass & pine. More Belgian than American IPA & I like it.
T: Leathery, phenolic spicing, earthy, lemon zest, nectarine, hints of grass & pine, light biscuity malt, solid bitterness, alcohol is well-hidden. This is more Belgian, and less IPA than I thought it would be, and I really like it!
M: Really well-attenuated, moderate body, well carbonated, hint of acidity, drying finish. Very 'digestible' as a Belgian pale should be.
D: A good drinker.
Well-crafted, not at all over-the-top. Sort of a new-world rendition of Orval. Great stuff.
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4.35/5 rDev +10.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
New bottle tried on 04-28-2013
A substantially better bottle than the first. Crisp bitterness with Juicy Fruit hop aromas & flavours coupled with Belgian esters. Very nice beer.
04-20-2013
650 mL bottle newly arrived at the MLCC Crestview. Bottle label appears to be notches 2 - Aug. WTF does that mean? I hope it is BB, not bottled last year!! Bottle claims to be 7.3% ABV. Served ~7-8C into a stemmed beer flute.
A: Crystal clear straw yellow with a nice white head that laces gloriously. (5)
S: Muted herbal hops and some peppery esters - expecting a lot more from an IPA's aroma. (3.75)
T: Meh. Not atrocious, just nothing like what I was expecting. Sweet malt, with a corn like finish along with some light belgian estery notes (pepper, maybe a hint of stone fruit) and some light earthy & herbal hop flavours. Very weak on the hops. (3.25)
M: Bitterness is low, but slowly builds. Carbonation comes off as being lower than expected, but it is a good amount.(3.75)
O: I was expecting so very much from this beer. Is this not always the way? Build something up, you will be disappointed. Come in with low expectations, be amazed. Sigh. (3.5)
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look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
New bottle tried on 04-28-2013
A substantially better bottle than the first. Crisp bitterness with Juicy Fruit hop aromas & flavours coupled with Belgian esters. Very nice beer.
04-20-2013
650 mL bottle newly arrived at the MLCC Crestview. Bottle label appears to be notches 2 - Aug. WTF does that mean? I hope it is BB, not bottled last year!! Bottle claims to be 7.3% ABV. Served ~7-8C into a stemmed beer flute.
A: Crystal clear straw yellow with a nice white head that laces gloriously. (5)
S: Muted herbal hops and some peppery esters - expecting a lot more from an IPA's aroma. (3.75)
T: Meh. Not atrocious, just nothing like what I was expecting. Sweet malt, with a corn like finish along with some light belgian estery notes (pepper, maybe a hint of stone fruit) and some light earthy & herbal hop flavours. Very weak on the hops. (3.25)
M: Bitterness is low, but slowly builds. Carbonation comes off as being lower than expected, but it is a good amount.(3.75)
O: I was expecting so very much from this beer. Is this not always the way? Build something up, you will be disappointed. Come in with low expectations, be amazed. Sigh. (3.5)
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4.31/5 rDev +9.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.3/5 rDev +9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
3X is a really nice representation of a brewery doing a casual version of an experimental contemporary style. Pretty obvious the cross of typical Belgian pale ale yeast with a bright fruity NW hoppy profile... clearly cloned or at least inspired by Houblon Chouffe Dobbelen IPA Tripel... this regular 22.oz. bomber at local Victoria shops is a welcome addition to the already impressive Phillips' hop styles...
Presumably, if delving into this rare breed, you know what to expect... if not, good luck!
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
3X is a really nice representation of a brewery doing a casual version of an experimental contemporary style. Pretty obvious the cross of typical Belgian pale ale yeast with a bright fruity NW hoppy profile... clearly cloned or at least inspired by Houblon Chouffe Dobbelen IPA Tripel... this regular 22.oz. bomber at local Victoria shops is a welcome addition to the already impressive Phillips' hop styles...
Presumably, if delving into this rare breed, you know what to expect... if not, good luck!
502 characters
4.3/5 rDev +9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Oooh, IPAs....don't get me wrong, I love a good IPA, it just took me some time as a novice beernerd to get into them. But it's definitely a style I appreciate.
Appearance - Golden colour, very beautiful. One finger of head settling into a lacing of foam.
Smell - Hops right off the bat, as it should be. Smells like an atypical heavy IPA, as I believe it has a goodly number of IBU's. has a sweet, almost earthy pine-y smell (if that's a word)
Taste - Hoppy, of course. You taste them right away. It doesn't detract from the flavour though, like, say a a moylens hopsickle would. (There's another beer I need to re-try, as I had a bad experience the last time I had it.)
Mouthfeel - again, forest-y/pine-y...little carbonation (not so much that it hits you over the head.) it lingers, but not overlong.
Overall - Supremely drinkable. In my not so humble opinion, one of the better (read: sweeter) IPAs i've had. Definitely one i'm going to have again.
Plus. how can you not like the bombs dropping on the label? I love it.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Oooh, IPAs....don't get me wrong, I love a good IPA, it just took me some time as a novice beernerd to get into them. But it's definitely a style I appreciate.
Appearance - Golden colour, very beautiful. One finger of head settling into a lacing of foam.
Smell - Hops right off the bat, as it should be. Smells like an atypical heavy IPA, as I believe it has a goodly number of IBU's. has a sweet, almost earthy pine-y smell (if that's a word)
Taste - Hoppy, of course. You taste them right away. It doesn't detract from the flavour though, like, say a a moylens hopsickle would. (There's another beer I need to re-try, as I had a bad experience the last time I had it.)
Mouthfeel - again, forest-y/pine-y...little carbonation (not so much that it hits you over the head.) it lingers, but not overlong.
Overall - Supremely drinkable. In my not so humble opinion, one of the better (read: sweeter) IPAs i've had. Definitely one i'm going to have again.
Plus. how can you not like the bombs dropping on the label? I love it.
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Hoperation Tripel Cross Belgian IPA from Phillips Brewing Company
3.93
out of 5
based on 138 ratings.