Hop Ranch
Victory Brewing Company - Downingtown
Beer Geek Stats:
| Print Shelf Talker
- Style:
- IPA - Imperial
Ranked #218 - ABV:
- 9%
- Score:
- 94
Ranked #1,436 - Avg:
- 4.22 | pDev: 9.95%
- Reviews:
- 388
- Ratings:
- From:
- Victory Brewing Company - Downingtown
- Pennsylvania, United States
- Avail:
- Rotating/Seasonal
- Wants
- 127
- Gots
- 540
SCORE
94
Outstanding
94
Outstanding
Notes:
Fully juicy in its citrus character with the pleasantly sharp, biting edges of tart fruit and bitterness, Hop Ranch Imperial India Pale Ale traces its roots to Victory’s Ranch series, a unique and comprehensive study of hops in which Brewmasters experimented with different hop varieties to showcase a range of flavor profiles and celebrate the nuances and distinctions in the resulting series’ recipes.
Mosaic hops and Hop #483 (Azacca)
Mosaic hops and Hop #483 (Azacca)
Reviews: 388
| Ratings: 2,441
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Reviews by whatname:
More User Reviews:
NeroFiddled from Pennsylvania
4.4/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Victory "Hop Ranch"
12 oz. brown glass bottle, "ENJOY BY: 25 APR 2015 0437P"
$3.65 @ The Beer Shoppe, Ardmore, PA
Based on how fond I am of Victory's "Dirt Wolf" I thought I'd give their "Hop Ranch" a spin, particularly as it uses a hop I'm not familiar with - Azacca.
Azzaca is the Caribbean God of farming, so it's not surprising that there's a tropical fruit character in the aroma, namely mango and pineapple. There's also grapefruit, some tangerine, pine, a hint of lemon, and a bit of spiciness. It's interesting, and refreshing; and as a winter seasonal, it's a fairly welcome ray of sunshine beneath the cold grey sky here in Pennsylvania!
Given the quality of the hops I see why they went with a straightforward Pilsner malt as it allows the hops to come through clearly, and also allows for some of that refreshing character to be transferred into to the flavor. Unfortunately that's all you're getting, it's not a complicated or 'dense' beer, and I'm not sure that it needed to be an "Imperial" IPA. I think it would have worked just fine as a standard IPA, or even a pale ale. The gentlemen of Victory are shrewd marketers, however, and I'm sure they didn't want to drop another entry into those already over-stocked categories. On the up-side, the alcohol that comes along with the "Imperial" designation, clocking in at a whopping 9.0 % abv., is surprisingly well-cloaked. Not unlike the "Dirt Wolf" this is a beer that does not overwhelm you with bitterness, resins, and alcohol - instead it's very focused and balanced, leaving it remarkably drinkable, and at 9%, dangerous.
So how to rate this beer? It delivers everything that an "Imperial" IPA should, sans the bitter punch and late raspy/resinous finish, the alcohol slap, and the overall palate-wrecking voluminosity. There are no defects of any sort (although I would like to see just a little more bristle in the mouthfeel), and in fact it's a really well-rounded and highly polished beer. What's not to love? But on top of that it's also quite unique, and innovative. Clearly a winner, and one that really needs to be sampled, any fan of hoppy beers needs to check it out!
Mar 03, 2015
4.4/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Victory "Hop Ranch"
12 oz. brown glass bottle, "ENJOY BY: 25 APR 2015 0437P"
$3.65 @ The Beer Shoppe, Ardmore, PA
Based on how fond I am of Victory's "Dirt Wolf" I thought I'd give their "Hop Ranch" a spin, particularly as it uses a hop I'm not familiar with - Azacca.
Azzaca is the Caribbean God of farming, so it's not surprising that there's a tropical fruit character in the aroma, namely mango and pineapple. There's also grapefruit, some tangerine, pine, a hint of lemon, and a bit of spiciness. It's interesting, and refreshing; and as a winter seasonal, it's a fairly welcome ray of sunshine beneath the cold grey sky here in Pennsylvania!
Given the quality of the hops I see why they went with a straightforward Pilsner malt as it allows the hops to come through clearly, and also allows for some of that refreshing character to be transferred into to the flavor. Unfortunately that's all you're getting, it's not a complicated or 'dense' beer, and I'm not sure that it needed to be an "Imperial" IPA. I think it would have worked just fine as a standard IPA, or even a pale ale. The gentlemen of Victory are shrewd marketers, however, and I'm sure they didn't want to drop another entry into those already over-stocked categories. On the up-side, the alcohol that comes along with the "Imperial" designation, clocking in at a whopping 9.0 % abv., is surprisingly well-cloaked. Not unlike the "Dirt Wolf" this is a beer that does not overwhelm you with bitterness, resins, and alcohol - instead it's very focused and balanced, leaving it remarkably drinkable, and at 9%, dangerous.
So how to rate this beer? It delivers everything that an "Imperial" IPA should, sans the bitter punch and late raspy/resinous finish, the alcohol slap, and the overall palate-wrecking voluminosity. There are no defects of any sort (although I would like to see just a little more bristle in the mouthfeel), and in fact it's a really well-rounded and highly polished beer. What's not to love? But on top of that it's also quite unique, and innovative. Clearly a winner, and one that really needs to be sampled, any fan of hoppy beers needs to check it out!
Mar 03, 2015
StonedTrippin from Colorado
4.2/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
such a delicious big boy ipa, packed with a mosaic fruitiness and a simcoe oily property, not sure if those are the varietals used or not, but this beer exhibits very similar properties to both. very blonde beer, honey colored and clear with a nice white head. the nose is just dripping with fruity oily hops, and the grain base interferes little, despite the abv. the flavor too is a hop explosion, as fresh and as vibrant as any i can recall. notes of grapefruit, tangerine, cut lawn, and even green grape are all there for me, and the finish still comes on nice and bitter. the malt base never makes much contribution, as the body is light, appreciably dry, and leaving only a slight hop stickiness there after the swallow. fresh is the word that keeps coming to mind for me on this one. the alcohol can be felt but not at all tasted. i love this, even more that dirtwolf i think, one of the best east coast india pale ales ive had in some time.
Jan 14, 2015
4.2/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
such a delicious big boy ipa, packed with a mosaic fruitiness and a simcoe oily property, not sure if those are the varietals used or not, but this beer exhibits very similar properties to both. very blonde beer, honey colored and clear with a nice white head. the nose is just dripping with fruity oily hops, and the grain base interferes little, despite the abv. the flavor too is a hop explosion, as fresh and as vibrant as any i can recall. notes of grapefruit, tangerine, cut lawn, and even green grape are all there for me, and the finish still comes on nice and bitter. the malt base never makes much contribution, as the body is light, appreciably dry, and leaving only a slight hop stickiness there after the swallow. fresh is the word that keeps coming to mind for me on this one. the alcohol can be felt but not at all tasted. i love this, even more that dirtwolf i think, one of the best east coast india pale ales ive had in some time.
Jan 14, 2015
Ozzylizard from Pennsylvania
4.49/5 rDev +6.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Bottle best by 24 May 2014 at 42 degrees into standard pint glass
Aroma of citrus, closest to lemon
Head average (4.5 cm), white, creamy with rocks, very slowly diminishing fading to a to 1 -2 mm layer
Lacing poor: partial rings with small to medium bubbles, stalactites
Body light yellow, hazy
Flavor begins with a light lemony taste, slowly fading through sweetness to a light astringency. No alcohol, no diacetyl, no malt. No aftertaste is noted.
Palate light to medium, watery, carbonation lively.
This is the last bottle from the case I bought in Jan, 2014, and somehow I’ve neglected to review it. IMHO this is a much better beer than Dirtwolf, certainly having more flavor and a less noticeable hop profile. This could easily be a session beer.
May 28, 2014
4.49/5 rDev +6.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Bottle best by 24 May 2014 at 42 degrees into standard pint glass
Aroma of citrus, closest to lemon
Head average (4.5 cm), white, creamy with rocks, very slowly diminishing fading to a to 1 -2 mm layer
Lacing poor: partial rings with small to medium bubbles, stalactites
Body light yellow, hazy
Flavor begins with a light lemony taste, slowly fading through sweetness to a light astringency. No alcohol, no diacetyl, no malt. No aftertaste is noted.
Palate light to medium, watery, carbonation lively.
This is the last bottle from the case I bought in Jan, 2014, and somehow I’ve neglected to review it. IMHO this is a much better beer than Dirtwolf, certainly having more flavor and a less noticeable hop profile. This could easily be a session beer.
May 28, 2014
Flounder57 from Massachusetts
4.46/5 rDev +5.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
12 oz bottle was poured into a snifter.
Appearance: A one finger head was poured that reduced to a small layer. It is a pale yellow color with a little haziness and vision of bubbles coming up through the glass. Spotty lacing down the glass as the beer was drank.
Smell: Tropical, floral, piney, resin, pungent, grassy, pilsner, and pale malts.
Taste: Wow!!! What a tasty brew. Everything I smelled came out on the palate. Nice mild bitterness and the alcohol is not even noticeable.
Mouthfeel: Smooth, tingly, light to medium bodied, a little chewy, and so tasty.
Overall: I have had this several times and I think it gets better. So delicious and tasty.
May 09, 2014
4.46/5 rDev +5.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
12 oz bottle was poured into a snifter.
Appearance: A one finger head was poured that reduced to a small layer. It is a pale yellow color with a little haziness and vision of bubbles coming up through the glass. Spotty lacing down the glass as the beer was drank.
Smell: Tropical, floral, piney, resin, pungent, grassy, pilsner, and pale malts.
Taste: Wow!!! What a tasty brew. Everything I smelled came out on the palate. Nice mild bitterness and the alcohol is not even noticeable.
Mouthfeel: Smooth, tingly, light to medium bodied, a little chewy, and so tasty.
Overall: I have had this several times and I think it gets better. So delicious and tasty.
May 09, 2014
mrz200 from Massachusetts
3.84/5 rDev -9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
This is probably the most "refreshing" DIPA I've ever had. The alcohol is extremely & dangerously well hidden. Very citrusey with an almost european/heffeweizen taste & feel. Very good beer.
That said, I don't know that I'd buy again. When I want "refreshing" I'm not reaching for a 10% ABV. And when I want a 10% ABV I'm looking for a big hop smack & bitterness and a variety of smells & flavors because I'm only drinking one or two of them. This one doesn't have that flavor punch, at least in the way so many other big IPA's do.
Apparently the hops used are kinda different, and it's noticable, and while it was certainly well crafted, maybe those aren't for me.
Mar 10, 2014
3.84/5 rDev -9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
This is probably the most "refreshing" DIPA I've ever had. The alcohol is extremely & dangerously well hidden. Very citrusey with an almost european/heffeweizen taste & feel. Very good beer.
That said, I don't know that I'd buy again. When I want "refreshing" I'm not reaching for a 10% ABV. And when I want a 10% ABV I'm looking for a big hop smack & bitterness and a variety of smells & flavors because I'm only drinking one or two of them. This one doesn't have that flavor punch, at least in the way so many other big IPA's do.
Apparently the hops used are kinda different, and it's noticable, and while it was certainly well crafted, maybe those aren't for me.
Mar 10, 2014
charliekeyheart from New York
4.27/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
These guys are underrated. They continually impress with voluptuously hoppy offerings. Puts Stone to shame in my opinion.
Mar 01, 2015
4.27/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
These guys are underrated. They continually impress with voluptuously hoppy offerings. Puts Stone to shame in my opinion.
Mar 01, 2015
dfconnor from Pennsylvania
4.31/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5
Heavy on the bittering hops, but light on the aromatic hops. Pronounced malt foundation reminded me of an extra special ale. Great flavor and good balance. Slightly less carbonated than I expected, but this was not off putting. Overall, this is an outstanding beer.
Apr 25, 2016
4.31/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5
Heavy on the bittering hops, but light on the aromatic hops. Pronounced malt foundation reminded me of an extra special ale. Great flavor and good balance. Slightly less carbonated than I expected, but this was not off putting. Overall, this is an outstanding beer.
Apr 25, 2016
fscottkey from New York
3.27/5 rDev -22.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
A: [4.25] Uber transparent apple juice colored beer. The beer has a 1 1/2 finger head. The head is made of all medium bubbles - which seems unique. The head settles down to just under a finger and then has some staying power. The bottle lists the ABV (9.0%) and there is a best by date (05/21/16 at 6:15pm - which seems really specific!)
S: [2.25] The smell is also unique. I have read "cat pee" as a descriptor and it never really made sense to me - until now. I'd also describe it as a "meat" scent. That might be the closeset thing I can think of here. Maybe additionally pineapple, mango, papaya.
T: [3.50] Doesn't follow the nose (which is good). I get white grapes, pineapple and orange rind.
M: [3.75] Nice heft on the tongue. No lingering bitter flavors. No excessive carbonation.
O: [3.50] The nose on this is WAY different than anything I have had. I can't describe it adequately. The beer itself looks, tastes and "feels" decent but the nose is really off-putting. This is a hard beer to rate. I wouldn't recommend it to a friend because of the nose elements.
Jan 29, 2016
3.27/5 rDev -22.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
A: [4.25] Uber transparent apple juice colored beer. The beer has a 1 1/2 finger head. The head is made of all medium bubbles - which seems unique. The head settles down to just under a finger and then has some staying power. The bottle lists the ABV (9.0%) and there is a best by date (05/21/16 at 6:15pm - which seems really specific!)
S: [2.25] The smell is also unique. I have read "cat pee" as a descriptor and it never really made sense to me - until now. I'd also describe it as a "meat" scent. That might be the closeset thing I can think of here. Maybe additionally pineapple, mango, papaya.
T: [3.50] Doesn't follow the nose (which is good). I get white grapes, pineapple and orange rind.
M: [3.75] Nice heft on the tongue. No lingering bitter flavors. No excessive carbonation.
O: [3.50] The nose on this is WAY different than anything I have had. I can't describe it adequately. The beer itself looks, tastes and "feels" decent but the nose is really off-putting. This is a hard beer to rate. I wouldn't recommend it to a friend because of the nose elements.
Jan 29, 2016
hoppytobehere from District of Columbia
4.3/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
12 oz bottle. Enjoy by 25 Apr 2015
A: Mostly clear, a little cloudy. Some stuff floating around. See that a lot in Dirtwolf, so no surprises there. Doesn't phase me.
S: Not overpowering, but some really nice notes of pineapple and mango.
T: I love Dirtwolf and this one is similar, but slightly different hop and malt profiles. Tastes better than it smells. Very light pilsen malt backbone, a very hop forward beer.
M: 9%? how? Good carbonation, almost no heat from the alcohol. Outstanding.
O: Victory is killing it right now with IPAs. Wish this was year-round with Dirtwolf.
Dec 20, 2014
4.3/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
12 oz bottle. Enjoy by 25 Apr 2015
A: Mostly clear, a little cloudy. Some stuff floating around. See that a lot in Dirtwolf, so no surprises there. Doesn't phase me.
S: Not overpowering, but some really nice notes of pineapple and mango.
T: I love Dirtwolf and this one is similar, but slightly different hop and malt profiles. Tastes better than it smells. Very light pilsen malt backbone, a very hop forward beer.
M: 9%? how? Good carbonation, almost no heat from the alcohol. Outstanding.
O: Victory is killing it right now with IPAs. Wish this was year-round with Dirtwolf.
Dec 20, 2014
McStagger from California
3.82/5 rDev -9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
ENJOY BY: 21 MAY 2016
A: Pours finger and a half of white head. Dense bubbles form a nice cap of foam. Nice lacing on the glass. Beer is a very slightly hazy yellow/orange. Carbonation is minimal, with small bubbles rising to the surface. Can see miniscule particulants floating in suspension.
S: Strange and a bit hard to bring out specific notes. Getting some spiciness, but not sure from where exactly. Could be hops, malt or yeast. Malts are slightly sweet malt o meal, hops are lightly spicy with some of the dreaded savory "onion/garlic" notes.
T: Bit of soapy bitterness up front. Opens up as a more fruit driven DIPA. Getting red apple and other nondescript stone fruit picking up on the mid palate. Mid palate picks up a fairly sweet malt aspect, with a more spiced fruitiness carrying towards the finish. Finish itself brings back more red apple skin, with the hoppy bitterness being very balanced with the malty sweetness.
M: Mid to slightly heavy on the palate. The malt sugars are definitely discernible, but they don't run the show. The carbonation is subdued, but gives enough to cut through the palate on the tongue. Slightly oily on the back of the tongue, the carb does enough to scrub the palate between each sip.
O: Eh, this one isn't that great. More of a balanced DIPA, this one lacks the punch or even a more dominant hop flavor to
Jan 17, 2016
3.82/5 rDev -9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
ENJOY BY: 21 MAY 2016
A: Pours finger and a half of white head. Dense bubbles form a nice cap of foam. Nice lacing on the glass. Beer is a very slightly hazy yellow/orange. Carbonation is minimal, with small bubbles rising to the surface. Can see miniscule particulants floating in suspension.
S: Strange and a bit hard to bring out specific notes. Getting some spiciness, but not sure from where exactly. Could be hops, malt or yeast. Malts are slightly sweet malt o meal, hops are lightly spicy with some of the dreaded savory "onion/garlic" notes.
T: Bit of soapy bitterness up front. Opens up as a more fruit driven DIPA. Getting red apple and other nondescript stone fruit picking up on the mid palate. Mid palate picks up a fairly sweet malt aspect, with a more spiced fruitiness carrying towards the finish. Finish itself brings back more red apple skin, with the hoppy bitterness being very balanced with the malty sweetness.
M: Mid to slightly heavy on the palate. The malt sugars are definitely discernible, but they don't run the show. The carbonation is subdued, but gives enough to cut through the palate on the tongue. Slightly oily on the back of the tongue, the carb does enough to scrub the palate between each sip.
O: Eh, this one isn't that great. More of a balanced DIPA, this one lacks the punch or even a more dominant hop flavor to
Jan 17, 2016
hogie7 from New York
4.9/5 rDev +16.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Phenomenal beer, an instant favorite. Gotta love the hints of citrus, so pleasing to the nostrils and palate. I bought 2 cases of this after trying it on tap at a local bar. Too bad it is seasonal, I want this year-round. I do happen to like it better than dirt wolf.
Feb 28, 2014
4.9/5 rDev +16.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Phenomenal beer, an instant favorite. Gotta love the hints of citrus, so pleasing to the nostrils and palate. I bought 2 cases of this after trying it on tap at a local bar. Too bad it is seasonal, I want this year-round. I do happen to like it better than dirt wolf.
Feb 28, 2014
Kuaff from Alaska
4.61/5 rDev +9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Poured moderately cold into my fancy tulip glass of snobbery.
I'd call the color a straw gold. Some visible sediment and a cap of white froth.
Smells... green! Like plant matter of various types, from freshly cut grass to pine needle resin. A nice fruity aspect is there too. Lemon, lime, a bit of pineapple, and maybe even some pear and green apple! Those last two are fruit aromas I don't recall ever picking out of an IPA before this one... Fascinating.
A nice, nice explosion of fruitiness pops out on the palate right away, with citrus on steroids. And I just ride that juicy, delicious, tangy citrus for a good while into a seamless rise of piney astringency and citrus rind until it mellows out into a bittersweet finish of mellow honey and bread. WOWEE.
The feel is quite prickly and full. Just as lively as the flavor.
Some DIPAs blast bitterness upon beer-drinkers to the extent that bitterness becomes the very core of the flavor profile. While I adore such palate abusers, that is not this beer's approach, and it works wonders in its own way, heaping forth a menagerie of gymnosperm and angiosperm-derived brilliance.
Mar 07, 2015
4.61/5 rDev +9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Poured moderately cold into my fancy tulip glass of snobbery.
I'd call the color a straw gold. Some visible sediment and a cap of white froth.
Smells... green! Like plant matter of various types, from freshly cut grass to pine needle resin. A nice fruity aspect is there too. Lemon, lime, a bit of pineapple, and maybe even some pear and green apple! Those last two are fruit aromas I don't recall ever picking out of an IPA before this one... Fascinating.
A nice, nice explosion of fruitiness pops out on the palate right away, with citrus on steroids. And I just ride that juicy, delicious, tangy citrus for a good while into a seamless rise of piney astringency and citrus rind until it mellows out into a bittersweet finish of mellow honey and bread. WOWEE.
The feel is quite prickly and full. Just as lively as the flavor.
Some DIPAs blast bitterness upon beer-drinkers to the extent that bitterness becomes the very core of the flavor profile. While I adore such palate abusers, that is not this beer's approach, and it works wonders in its own way, heaping forth a menagerie of gymnosperm and angiosperm-derived brilliance.
Mar 07, 2015
StoneTSR from Colorado
4.21/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
APPEARANCE: The head is a finger and a half thick and lasts for a good 30 seconds before it falls into a nice, cap. The cap tops off a murky, burnt orange beer beneath. Tiny bubbles rise from the sides of the glass while a few larger bubbles can be seen towards the middle through all the haziness.
SMELL: Wow, that is fresh! Orange, pine, mango and apricot dance around with a touch of grapefruit and grass. This smells amazing, just wish it had a little more intensity.
TASTE: There is tropical fruit everywhere on this and it’s really juicy. All the fruit from the smell is there, but the grapefruit seems to be more intense, and there’s a little lemon I didn’t get with my nose, providing a nice, bitter bite.
MOUTHFEEL: Medium body with a little stickiness and a very dull tickle. The balance is excellent with some sweeter, sticky, fruity notes to start followed by a drying bitterness.
OVERALL: I don’t know if this one is better than Dirt Wolf, but at the very least its close. I will reach for this again.
Jan 14, 2015
4.21/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
APPEARANCE: The head is a finger and a half thick and lasts for a good 30 seconds before it falls into a nice, cap. The cap tops off a murky, burnt orange beer beneath. Tiny bubbles rise from the sides of the glass while a few larger bubbles can be seen towards the middle through all the haziness.
SMELL: Wow, that is fresh! Orange, pine, mango and apricot dance around with a touch of grapefruit and grass. This smells amazing, just wish it had a little more intensity.
TASTE: There is tropical fruit everywhere on this and it’s really juicy. All the fruit from the smell is there, but the grapefruit seems to be more intense, and there’s a little lemon I didn’t get with my nose, providing a nice, bitter bite.
MOUTHFEEL: Medium body with a little stickiness and a very dull tickle. The balance is excellent with some sweeter, sticky, fruity notes to start followed by a drying bitterness.
OVERALL: I don’t know if this one is better than Dirt Wolf, but at the very least its close. I will reach for this again.
Jan 14, 2015
secondtooth from Indiana
4.26/5 rDev +0.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Here’s another super-fresh, super-tasty IPA from Victory that isn’t getting noticed so well, yet is, in my opinion, a world-class IPA.
Appearance: Light, golden clean, with a thick head of fine white carbonation. Nice tree-line lace.
Aroma: Spectacular tangy citrus hops, with some tropical fruity notes even. Maybe a bit of dankness sets in as it warms, but this is quite a harbinger of great things.
Taste: Tropical hops explosion in a lush, drinkable, and well-balanced setting, especially for the ABV. Even the wife, upon tasting blindly, remarked at how light it seemed. Tastes as refreshing and light as a session IPA, but with a 9% ABV level, this one’s very deceptive and sneaky. Tangy, fruity, and absolutely delicious. Will buy again, yes.
Jan 14, 2015
4.26/5 rDev +0.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Here’s another super-fresh, super-tasty IPA from Victory that isn’t getting noticed so well, yet is, in my opinion, a world-class IPA.
Appearance: Light, golden clean, with a thick head of fine white carbonation. Nice tree-line lace.
Aroma: Spectacular tangy citrus hops, with some tropical fruity notes even. Maybe a bit of dankness sets in as it warms, but this is quite a harbinger of great things.
Taste: Tropical hops explosion in a lush, drinkable, and well-balanced setting, especially for the ABV. Even the wife, upon tasting blindly, remarked at how light it seemed. Tastes as refreshing and light as a session IPA, but with a 9% ABV level, this one’s very deceptive and sneaky. Tangy, fruity, and absolutely delicious. Will buy again, yes.
Jan 14, 2015
Goblinmunkey7 from Massachusetts
3.12/5 rDev -26.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
Appearance: Slight chill haze on a pale yellowish wheat gold. Head is bright-white and fluffy. Drops to a clingy web of a cap with sheets and sticky notches of lacing.
Smell: Juicy, fruity sweetness. More tropical than anything. Mango, pineapple, and some tangerine. Slightly herbal with a push of bitterness. Malts are pale, light, and vaguely sweet. Some toasted elements. Warming pushes some juicier orange. Nicely floral as well.
Taste: Sweeter than the nose. Big juicy fruitiness runs the gamut. Orange, tangerine, mango, pineapple, apple and pear. Some building earthy and herbal hop notes. Malts offer some hints at balance, but it's minimal. Lightly sweet, a touch bready. Pale malts. A bit mealy with something akin to Juicy Fruit on the finish. Some bready notes. A little rough around the edges. Fresh citrus.
Mouthfeel: Slick medium body. Slightly dry with a moderate carbonation.
Overall: Lukewarm Ranch
The hop profile feels a little muddled over a malt profile that doesn't really mesh. Feels a bit off overall.
Jan 12, 2014
3.12/5 rDev -26.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3
Appearance: Slight chill haze on a pale yellowish wheat gold. Head is bright-white and fluffy. Drops to a clingy web of a cap with sheets and sticky notches of lacing.
Smell: Juicy, fruity sweetness. More tropical than anything. Mango, pineapple, and some tangerine. Slightly herbal with a push of bitterness. Malts are pale, light, and vaguely sweet. Some toasted elements. Warming pushes some juicier orange. Nicely floral as well.
Taste: Sweeter than the nose. Big juicy fruitiness runs the gamut. Orange, tangerine, mango, pineapple, apple and pear. Some building earthy and herbal hop notes. Malts offer some hints at balance, but it's minimal. Lightly sweet, a touch bready. Pale malts. A bit mealy with something akin to Juicy Fruit on the finish. Some bready notes. A little rough around the edges. Fresh citrus.
Mouthfeel: Slick medium body. Slightly dry with a moderate carbonation.
Overall: Lukewarm Ranch
The hop profile feels a little muddled over a malt profile that doesn't really mesh. Feels a bit off overall.
Jan 12, 2014
greyghost86 from Delaware
4.53/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.75
Jan 18, 2014
4.53/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.75
Jan 18, 2014
chewy6935 from Michigan
4.32/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Feb 14, 2015
4.32/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Feb 14, 2015
mccorvey from North Carolina
4.3/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Feb 14, 2015
4.3/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Feb 14, 2015
t2grogan from Arizona
3.25/5 rDev -23%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Jan 16, 2016
3.25/5 rDev -23%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Jan 16, 2016
Hop Ranch from Victory Brewing Company - Downingtown
Beer rating:
94 out of
100 with
2441 ratings
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