Dr. Hoppenstein Double IPA
Martha's Exchange

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On tap at the source.
Comes to the table a deep orange amber color with a thinnish white head that dissipates quickly to a small cap on top. Smells of bitter resin, grapefruit, apricots and a hint of ethanol and bready malt. The flavor starts off with a solid shot of bitter pine and resin with some citrus fruit in the mix as well. There's a hint of bready and caramel malt as well as a healthy shot of alcohol before a long lingering bitter resinous finish. Medium body with a moderate level of carbonation and a sweet bitter resinous mouthfeel. This is a solid DIPA, it made for a really nice after dinner drink.

Poured on cask in a snifter, the beer is a deep, vibrant, orange-copper coloring with a frothy, light, robust, off-white head of a solid inch. Aromas of crystal and caramel malts supporting a wet, fresh, resiny hops profile, with an overall roasty and earthy tone. Flavors are resiny and bitter on the forward tongue, levying a solid blast of wet, fresh hops before the malt bomb rolls in. The malty backbone is layered and well blended, giving a smooth, creamy feel to the brew, as well as balancing out the punch of resiny hops. Very dynamic and well balanced in mouth. The aftertaste is rich and bitter at the same time, with a touch of pepper and cinnamon spicing. The finish is rich and smooth, with a resiny kick at the end. Tasty brew!

 

An orange amber color, fairly clear with a goodly off-white head and very nice lacing. The aroma is kind of musty grassy malt. There is some bitterness but it isn't standard hop faire, a bit uncertain. The flavor does come to the rescue though. Similar to the aroma but much more robust malt sweetness helps the musty/dank hops along. Very nice consistency, a bit resinous, with good bitterness. I liked it but the swampy introduction was a little bit of a put off. Not the best DIPA I've had but definitely a good brew, certainly recommended for a try. A little strong for drinking copiously, but tastey enough!

A-The look of this beer as it was being hand pumped and poured for another customer appealed to me right away. The head was two inches of creamy foam.

S-The aroma was flowery hops over sweet malt and alcohol. Apricots and flowers are what come to mind.

T-Big and mellow at the same time. Rich flavor without brashness. The apricot flavor persists along with the alcohol warmth. The bitterness is never too harsh balancing malt that is candy sweet.

M-Here is where the cask presentation shines. A creamier mouthfeel make for bigger sips.

D-The creaminess of the fine bubbles and the fresh hoppiness of the everlasting head that sits right under your nose bring the drinkability up on this one.

Had been expectantly awaiting this new offering.... finally hooked up with some during my usual Wednesday eve gathering with Alewife and Artied2.

Served in a 12oz tulip glass, the Dr has a clear, deep golden/apricot hue. Sparse carbonation is espied within, aiming for the short, fine, stark white head above. Nice lacing is left behind in the glass. Aroma comes forth with big-ass citrus action. Didn't even need to stick my nose in the glass, it just assaults you from afar. Has a smidge of malty sweetness, but it's the hops, and then the hops! Body is solid and chewy, well above medium and bordering on full. And, the good Doctor passes verry easily down the hatch. Has a silky-smooth tongue-side manner.

Flavor? Prepare for a hop attack! There is some toasty malt present, lending a solid foundation upon which all the hops are heaped. And, the malt also lends a lovely, mild sweetness to the proceedings. As for the hops, well... there's a load of biting pineapple flavor which coats the tongue and mouth bigtime. It's also sappy and syruppy, though in a good way, as well as a touch piney. Greg, the brewer, notes that lots of Columbus, Glacier and Centennial hops were used in this prescription. Checking in at 9.10% abv (according to the always-lovely Margaret behind the bar), it is a definite belly warmer. Keep an eye on your intake if drinking at Martha's. Might be best to get a growler, and have the Dr make a house call.

Prosit!!

overall: 4.55
appearance: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | mouthfeel: 4.5 | drinkability: 5

974

had a chance to try this Friday night complements of HopasaurusRex. If you are a hop head then this is your beer!

A - rich golden color, modest off white head.
S - Hops. Waves and waves of hops. Pineapple, citrus back and forth in a heavenly rich, nay almost oily, smell. Intoxicatingly hoppy
T - Rich, medium bodied malts supporting amazing layers of hop complexity. The amazing thing is this doesn't make you want to pucker on the bitter, rather it warms the cokles of my inner hop!
M - medium bodied, smooth
D - I'm going to the pub for a pint and a lunch ASAP.

I hate to compare this to another brew, but since this is a local NH brewpub I will. I would suggest this reminds me of DFH 120 without the heavy handed alcohol. You can actually drink a pint of this and expect to stand afteward. Truly a tasty beverage. Get it or trade for it while it's here is my recommendation. Cheers!