Hoplar Imperial IPA
Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

Hoplar Imperial IPAHoplar Imperial IPA
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From:
Hardywood Park Craft Brewery
 
Virginia, United States
Style:
Imperial IPA
ABV:
8.5%
Score:
90
Avg:
4.03 | pDev: 10.42%
Reviews:
54
Ratings:
393
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Apr 04, 2019
Added:
Apr 22, 2012
Wants:
  46
Gots:
  67
Hardywood Hoplar follows the wood-aging tradition of the earliest India Pale Ales, which were matured on oak. Rather than oak, we’ve selected the delicate wood of a fallen Virginia Tulip Poplar, which was TreeCycled by CitiWood and toasted for use in this hearty IPA. While this Poplar can no longer rustle in the wind or give shade, it is able to offer balance to the bright citrus and pine character from heaps of Cascade, Columbus and Summit hops with subtle notes of caramelized vanilla. And the tree was hoppy.

In the mid-1800s, when the early IPAs were being shipped in wooden barrels from the breweries of Burton-on-Trent to thirsty British colonists in India, our Tulip Poplar was a mere sapling on the outskirts of Richmond, Virginia. On September 18, 2003, this towering Poplar prevailed to the fierce Hurricane Isabel and fell on Bell Creek Road. Richmond-based CitiWood Urban Forest Products helped us transform the wood from this fallen Poplar into custom designed flavor- and aroma-enhancing infusion sticks. Post fermentation, Hoplar is dry-hopped with a generous helping of whole-flower Cascade hops and conditioned on the toasted Poplar.

Hardywood Hoplar is mahogany in color with a hearty, tan head and offers an aroma of grapefruit brûlée and pine needles, as well as delicate vanilla toffee and a hint of campfire. Medium- to full-bodied with assertive (100 IBUs) yet delightful hop bitterness, Hoplar is balanced with ample caramel malt backbone. A bit of earthy tannin from the Poplar harmonizes with the resinous hoppy character, which dissipates into a lingering finish.

100 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by circus_cat:
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Rated by circus_cat from Virginia

4.25/5  rDev +5.5%

Nov 17, 2013
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4 by dafla67 from Pennsylvania

Apr 04, 2019
 
Rated: 5 by mf86 from Virginia

Jan 07, 2017
 
Rated: 4.11 by RBorsato from Virginia

Nov 25, 2016
 
Rated: 4.33 by Mississippi from Virginia

Nov 24, 2016
 
Rated: 3.53 by cj8311 from Maryland

Aug 05, 2016
 
Rated: 4.25 by markjarema11 from Alabama

Aug 03, 2016
 
Rated: 3.62 by Stinger80OH from Ohio

Jul 25, 2016
 
Rated: 4.24 by C_Pel from Pennsylvania

Jul 13, 2016
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Reviewed by citizencane from Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Yes, it's heavy on the poplar. If you're looking for something totally balanced, this probably is not it. That said, the poplar adds a fascinating note of wood that is sweet but not like birch. Unusual and definitely drinkable and high quality. Maybe not one of the top beers in existence, but very good and distinctive.
Jul 02, 2016
Photo of Emersonio
Reviewed by Emersonio from District of Columbia

4.42/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Pour: Bomber bottle into a tulip glass. Appearance: Attractive amber in color. Started with a large white head which reduced to more of a minimal offering yet still present after settling. Lacing present on the sides of the glass, but not much. Aroma: Juicy and dank hoppy aroma. A bit of spicy pepper is detected. Woody notes are also present on the deep sniff. Slight alcohol aroma is also detected as well. Taste: Dank and juicy hops are immediate on the sip. the taste mellows out a bit to reveal the Poplar wood roast. Smooth and velvety despite a higher IBU (100). The juicy hop and wood qualities compliment each other nicely. Aftertaste: Woody and earthy elements remain on the back end. Lots of linger after a few exhales. The deep back end reveals a noticeable bitter quality with definite onion like notes. Notes: Big fan of the nose and taste. Love the interplay of the wood and hops. Very unique. I wish it could have finished a little more clean. The back end could be better. Had this at the brewery the previous week and the freshness and taste was a total knockout. Result/Rating: Very Good/ 4.42
Jun 24, 2016
 
Rated: 4.37 by REVZEB from Illinois

Jun 23, 2016
 
Rated: 3.79 by williahd from Maine

Jun 20, 2016
 
Rated: 4.36 by Carbon_Hops from Virginia

Jun 17, 2016
 
Rated: 3.99 by jancona from Pennsylvania

Jun 12, 2016
 
Rated: 4.25 by McBraniel from Virginia

Jun 10, 2016
 
Rated: 4.07 by awesomea from Pennsylvania

Jun 05, 2016
 
Rated: 4 by calcnerd from Pennsylvania

Jun 03, 2016
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Reviewed by AMCimpi from New York

4.23/5  rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
A: A darker IPA, Amber. White fluffy head that stays. S: Pine, dank hops, herbal, grassy, a touch of wood. T: Some wood, a little melon, some pine. M: This beer is creamy, silky smooth, some bitter on the backend but the silky smooth feel just invites you in for more. O: I'm becoming a fan of these wood aged IPAs. It added a smooth mouthfeel that is almost barleywine like. An overall nice beer, I'm really enjoying it
May 31, 2016
 
Rated: 4.25 by CB2maltygoodness from District of Columbia

May 29, 2016
Hoplar Imperial IPA from Hardywood Park Craft Brewery
Beer rating: 90 out of 100 with 393 ratings