Hoppy Red
Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)
Beer Geek Stats:
| Print Shelf Talker
- Style:
- Red Ale - American Amber / Red
Ranked #513 - ABV:
- 5.7%
- Score:
- 82
Ranked #42,359 - Avg:
- 3.64 | pDev: 12.64%
- Reviews:
- 110
- Ratings:
- From:
- Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)
- Massachusetts, United States
- Avail:
- Rotating/Seasonal
- Wants
- 2
- Gots
- 113
SCORE
82
Good
82
Good
Notes:
Amber, smooth, and resinous, this ale was inspired by our exploration of Australian hops. We discovered that their rugged, spicy and piney character brightened a back-bone of roasted caramel malts, creating a beer with surprising depth and smoothness.
Reviews: 110
| Ratings: 389
| Log in to view all ratings and sort
Reviews by jjamadorphd:
jjamadorphd from Florida
4.06/5 rDev +11.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Another very good offering from Sam Adams. Hoppy Red is certainly hoppy, but very smooth. Into the pint glass it has a barely reddish hue that pours a thick head with great lacing down the glass - probably the best I've ever seen. The aroma is an almost perfect mixture of hops and what I taste as cinnamon. I really enjoyed that distinct hoppy, IPA flavor with a touch of tanginess. It was a bit more carbonated than I like, but overall I enjoyed the couple I had and I'm glad I still have a couple to go through.
Sep 21, 2015
4.06/5 rDev +11.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Another very good offering from Sam Adams. Hoppy Red is certainly hoppy, but very smooth. Into the pint glass it has a barely reddish hue that pours a thick head with great lacing down the glass - probably the best I've ever seen. The aroma is an almost perfect mixture of hops and what I taste as cinnamon. I really enjoyed that distinct hoppy, IPA flavor with a touch of tanginess. It was a bit more carbonated than I like, but overall I enjoyed the couple I had and I'm glad I still have a couple to go through.
Sep 21, 2015
More User Reviews:
jzeilinger from Pennsylvania
3.89/5 rDev +6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
A - Pours a vibrant and clear garnet red color with a thin off white lacing ring.
S - First thing that hits the nose is spicy followed with earthiness and some pine.
T - Rye-like spice along with earthy hops, followed by light citrus and ends with roasted caramel malt that gets a little sweet at the very end.
M - Light medium body, coats the mouth with some moderately light spiciness followed with caramel malt sweetness.
O - I wish everyone could try the beers from Sam this fresh, it's solid and it's the spiciness that keeps this one in the game.
Aug 19, 2015
3.89/5 rDev +6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
A - Pours a vibrant and clear garnet red color with a thin off white lacing ring.
S - First thing that hits the nose is spicy followed with earthiness and some pine.
T - Rye-like spice along with earthy hops, followed by light citrus and ends with roasted caramel malt that gets a little sweet at the very end.
M - Light medium body, coats the mouth with some moderately light spiciness followed with caramel malt sweetness.
O - I wish everyone could try the beers from Sam this fresh, it's solid and it's the spiciness that keeps this one in the game.
Aug 19, 2015
hophead723 from California
3.17/5 rDev -12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.75
I got this as part of a variety 12 pack on 07/26/15. The beers seem to lean towards a fall release because they include an Oktoberfest variety. I couldn't find anything online about this one in particular which is an American Red Ale called "Hoppy Red".
Look: Pours brilliantly clear! It is a fiery blood red with a slightly off white head. When held to the light there is a pure vibrant red color that casts itself upon surfaces like the blood of a murder victim. The head settled quickly and didn't leave much lacing.
Smell: The smell is a lot like Ranger IPA by New Belgium but subdued and more Earthy with an emphasis on the malt. They undoubtedly used a good bit of malt in this brew as it has a syrupy, milled grain, and grassy hop aroma.
Taste: It tastes earthy, malty, and mild with a heavily grassy hop character that rears it's head at the wrong time. Dare I say this brew isn't well executed because the flavors make themselves known at the wrong time. It also comes across as watery.
Feel: The mouthfeel is a strange competition between moist and dry, but the dry team wins each time with a strong astringent end to each sip. With the dryness at the end it seems another gulp would do the trick but you are again and again defeated with it's late appearance of grassy and earthy swelling punch. Maybe they didn't try this as they were making it?
Overall: This is a conflicted beer that seems to be a classic example of a badly executed good idea. The low ABV and loose body overwhelm the attempts by the brewer to create a good beer. I would recommend trying this one, if only to see how not to brew a Red Ale. Also, don't put the word "hoppy" on something that isn't. Cheers.
Jul 27, 2015
3.17/5 rDev -12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.75
I got this as part of a variety 12 pack on 07/26/15. The beers seem to lean towards a fall release because they include an Oktoberfest variety. I couldn't find anything online about this one in particular which is an American Red Ale called "Hoppy Red".
Look: Pours brilliantly clear! It is a fiery blood red with a slightly off white head. When held to the light there is a pure vibrant red color that casts itself upon surfaces like the blood of a murder victim. The head settled quickly and didn't leave much lacing.
Smell: The smell is a lot like Ranger IPA by New Belgium but subdued and more Earthy with an emphasis on the malt. They undoubtedly used a good bit of malt in this brew as it has a syrupy, milled grain, and grassy hop aroma.
Taste: It tastes earthy, malty, and mild with a heavily grassy hop character that rears it's head at the wrong time. Dare I say this brew isn't well executed because the flavors make themselves known at the wrong time. It also comes across as watery.
Feel: The mouthfeel is a strange competition between moist and dry, but the dry team wins each time with a strong astringent end to each sip. With the dryness at the end it seems another gulp would do the trick but you are again and again defeated with it's late appearance of grassy and earthy swelling punch. Maybe they didn't try this as they were making it?
Overall: This is a conflicted beer that seems to be a classic example of a badly executed good idea. The low ABV and loose body overwhelm the attempts by the brewer to create a good beer. I would recommend trying this one, if only to see how not to brew a Red Ale. Also, don't put the word "hoppy" on something that isn't. Cheers.
Jul 27, 2015
matcris from Arizona
4.03/5 rDev +10.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Clear and red with very small bubbles rising. A finger of khaki head settling to a ring. Fair lacing down the glass. The aroma is citrus/grapefruit, nice pine notes, and caramel malt. Pine is the flavor that comes through the most, the citrus is in the background, the malty sweetness is not obnoxious. The beer has a minor sticky but dry quality, at the same time. Good balance between malts and hops. Nice full level of carbonation. Feel is medium body. It is what they claim, a hoppy red. Overall, a very balanced, and drinkable red PA. I think this is better than the current user score would suggest.
Sep 08, 2016
4.03/5 rDev +10.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Clear and red with very small bubbles rising. A finger of khaki head settling to a ring. Fair lacing down the glass. The aroma is citrus/grapefruit, nice pine notes, and caramel malt. Pine is the flavor that comes through the most, the citrus is in the background, the malty sweetness is not obnoxious. The beer has a minor sticky but dry quality, at the same time. Good balance between malts and hops. Nice full level of carbonation. Feel is medium body. It is what they claim, a hoppy red. Overall, a very balanced, and drinkable red PA. I think this is better than the current user score would suggest.
Sep 08, 2016
BEERMILER12 from Maine
3.79/5 rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
A: Pours a nice amber color with 2 fingers of head that fades down to a thin cap
S: Spicy hops and a solid moderately sweet caramel malt highlight the nose, with hints of fruitiness in there as well
T: Follows the nose. Starts off with the base of caramel maltiness and goes into the spicy hops and fruitiness. Hops make themselves nicely present while still remaining a malt-forward approach. Finishes with lingering caramel notes and candied fruitiness
M: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation
O: A solid red ale with a good dose of hops. Definitely not a red IPA, it follows suit and sticks to being malt-forward. Quite drinkable and very enjoyable for the time of year
Sep 15, 2015
3.79/5 rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
A: Pours a nice amber color with 2 fingers of head that fades down to a thin cap
S: Spicy hops and a solid moderately sweet caramel malt highlight the nose, with hints of fruitiness in there as well
T: Follows the nose. Starts off with the base of caramel maltiness and goes into the spicy hops and fruitiness. Hops make themselves nicely present while still remaining a malt-forward approach. Finishes with lingering caramel notes and candied fruitiness
M: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation
O: A solid red ale with a good dose of hops. Definitely not a red IPA, it follows suit and sticks to being malt-forward. Quite drinkable and very enjoyable for the time of year
Sep 15, 2015
crob3888 from California
3.75/5 rDev +3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
pours a beautiful Ruby red with a thick bubbly head that leaves a ton of lacing. The smell is muted: some resinous hops and caramel malt, spicy and earthy, some grapefruit and berries. Flavor is similarly muted. Mostly resin, caramel malts, and some fruits. It's a good example of a beer that isnt bad, isn't a mess, and likely set out to do what Jim wanted. Unfortunately it's not very exciting and lacks the depth of flavor and any wow factor.
Aug 23, 2015
3.75/5 rDev +3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
pours a beautiful Ruby red with a thick bubbly head that leaves a ton of lacing. The smell is muted: some resinous hops and caramel malt, spicy and earthy, some grapefruit and berries. Flavor is similarly muted. Mostly resin, caramel malts, and some fruits. It's a good example of a beer that isnt bad, isn't a mess, and likely set out to do what Jim wanted. Unfortunately it's not very exciting and lacks the depth of flavor and any wow factor.
Aug 23, 2015
williahd from Maine
3.74/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Oct 08, 2016
3.74/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Oct 08, 2016
khargro2 from Tennessee
3.5/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Nov 01, 2015
3.5/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Nov 01, 2015
yaksurf from North Carolina
2.68/5 rDev -26.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
Aug 17, 2016
2.68/5 rDev -26.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
Aug 17, 2016
1Sundown2C from New York
2.75/5 rDev -24.5%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
Sep 08, 2016
2.75/5 rDev -24.5%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
Sep 08, 2016
Whiskeydeez from Kansas
2.75/5 rDev -24.5%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
Oct 19, 2015
2.75/5 rDev -24.5%
look: 2.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75
Oct 19, 2015
sgttibbs from Minnesota
3.75/5 rDev +3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Sep 27, 2016
3.75/5 rDev +3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Sep 27, 2016
Peyton5410 from New Jersey
3.93/5 rDev +8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Oct 12, 2016
3.93/5 rDev +8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Oct 12, 2016
MisledTitan from England
3.59/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Oct 03, 2015
3.59/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Oct 03, 2015
BFCarr from New Jersey
4.06/5 rDev +11.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
As advertised, a hoppy red ale. Pours red with a 1/4" white head that lasts. Smell is very hoppy/pine/resin. Taste matches the aroma, hoppy with a nice mouthfeel. Overall it's a very nice brew and at 5.7% easy to have a couple.
Sep 25, 2016
4.06/5 rDev +11.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
As advertised, a hoppy red ale. Pours red with a 1/4" white head that lasts. Smell is very hoppy/pine/resin. Taste matches the aroma, hoppy with a nice mouthfeel. Overall it's a very nice brew and at 5.7% easy to have a couple.
Sep 25, 2016
BrazilianAussie from Brazil
3.87/5 rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Nov 11, 2016
3.87/5 rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Nov 11, 2016
Rob-the-BeerSnob from Illinois
1.67/5 rDev -54.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 2 | overall: 1
terrible. awful. totally skunked. fuck you, sam addams! fuck you.
Aug 21, 2016
1.67/5 rDev -54.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 1 | feel: 2 | overall: 1
terrible. awful. totally skunked. fuck you, sam addams! fuck you.
Aug 21, 2016
Abe_Froman from Massachusetts
3.41/5 rDev -6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Oct 16, 2015
3.41/5 rDev -6.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Oct 16, 2015
DrewsBrews450 from North Carolina
4.05/5 rDev +11.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Oct 04, 2015
4.05/5 rDev +11.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Oct 04, 2015
srw from Virginia
3.54/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Dec 26, 2015
3.54/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Dec 26, 2015
MrJuengling from Pennsylvania
3.75/5 rDev +3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Oct 30, 2015
3.75/5 rDev +3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Oct 30, 2015
WillieThreebiers from Connecticut
3.56/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Dec 15, 2015
3.56/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Dec 15, 2015
MKrauss from Pennsylvania
3.54/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Aug 18, 2015
3.54/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Aug 18, 2015
norinco from Ohio
3.23/5 rDev -11.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Aug 06, 2015
3.23/5 rDev -11.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Aug 06, 2015
ChrisL24481 from New Hampshire
3.58/5 rDev -1.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Dec 02, 2015
3.58/5 rDev -1.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Dec 02, 2015
Hoppy Red from Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)
Beer rating:
82 out of
100 with
389 ratings
0 characters. We love reviews! Turn your rating into one with ≥ 150 characters.
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.
Close