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
HISTOGRAM
View: Beers
Ratings: 139 | Reviews: 51
4.85/5 rDev +23.7%
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.
690 characters
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.
690 characters
4.75/5 rDev +21.2%
Two of my favourite styles beautifully combined. A must try for Hop enthusiasts.
81 characters
Two of my favourite styles beautifully combined. A must try for Hop enthusiasts.
81 characters
4.42/5 rDev +12.8%
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
695 characters
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
695 characters
4.42/5 rDev +12.8%
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
1,015 characters
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
1,015 characters
4.42/5 rDev +12.8%
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.
853 characters
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.
853 characters
4.4/5 rDev +12.2%
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.
673 characters
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.
673 characters
4.35/5 rDev +11%
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)
1,147 characters
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)
1,147 characters
4.31/5 rDev +9.9%
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 +9.7%
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
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 +9.7%
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.
1,028 characters
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.
1,028 characters
Hoperation Tripel Cross Belgian IPA from Phillips Brewing Company
Beer rating:
3.92 out of
5 with
139 ratings
0 characters. We love reviews! Turn your rating into one with ≥ 150 characters.
In English, 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.