Happy Hops
Russian River Brewing Company

6/28/25 - (Bottle - Brother DA’s Home) (Las Vegas, Nevada) Bottle Notes: Purchased 6/26/25 at Khoury’s refrigerated for $6.49 with tax. 17.25 oz bottled 5/29/25 at 12:08 PM. 6.5% ABV. Russian River Brewing Company, Santa Rosa & Windsor, California.

Happy Hops was originally brewed in 1944 by the Grace Brother’s Brewery in Santa Rosa, CA! We are paying homage to the Grace family, whose brewery closed in the 1960’s, and have revived “Happy”, the charming hop character who graces the front of this label. Happy Hops is an IPA brewed with both new and old world hop varieties, giving this beer bold aromas and flavors with notes of tropical and stone fruits.

Appearance: Crystal clear golden blond base, bright white head laves generous soapy lacing and complete creamy cover over the base. Minimal carbonation after initial burst. Looking good. 4.25

Aroma: Citrus, tangerine and grapefruit. Light medium in strength, tropical. 3.5

Taste: Citrus retains pole position, grapefruit and tangerine back. Mouthfeel dominates the proceedings. 3.5

Mouthfeel: Mildly dry, very bitter. Adds depth to the faintly carbonated and watery light body. Drinks stronger than the 6.50% ABV. Bitter citrus and grapefruit Start to Finish. 4.0

Overall: This is the first departure from the classic IPA hop varieties from Russian River. While I’m enjoying and feel this is a good beer, it is one I wouldn’t pick up often between my taste preferences and the great variety of alternatives they brew. Would recommend for someone looking for a slight,y modern twist on Russian River’s popular offerings. 3.5

 

500ml bottle from Volcanic Bottle Shop. Clear golden pour, stiff, rocky head leaves rings of lacing. Light, pleasing citrusy aroma. Taste is mild grapefruit and lemon zest with a nice bready backbone. Just a hint of dryness at the finish and a dull tingle that gradually fades away.

 

510 ml Bottle
BOTTLED ON: 120325

Poured into a Trillium glass a very nice clean/clear dark golden yellow color, very nice carbonation, with a very nice thick/creamy two-finger off-white head, which also leaves some pretty nice sticky lacing behind. The nose is hoppy, malty, with a very nice citrus complex (orange, tangerine, grapefruit, pineapple, mango), very nice pineyness. The taste is very nice hoppy, malty, with a very nice citrus complex (orange, tangerine, grapefruit, pineapple, mango), very nice pineyness. Medium body, ABV hidden very nicely, with a pretty nice dry/bitter finish. Overall, this is a very tasty beer.

 

510ml bottle. Stamp on label is 'BOTTLED ON: 102825', about eight weeks in the bottle.
Clear, straw to pale gold colored body. Two fingers of classic white colored head, and this becomes a partial cap and full high reaching ring. Leaves behind large areas of lacing webs.
Aroma of citrus, tropical, and pine resin. Lemon, orange, mango.
Taste allows the bitterness to emerge early and stick around. Some level of malt sweetness for balance. Fruit and herbal/pine hop flavors - lemon, orange, grapefruit, peach, and mango. Includes rind, pith, and skin. Pine brings bitterness, with some earthiness. Aftertaste stays bitter and earthy.
Medium mouthfeel. Almost a mineral note, with a dry finish. Some tongue numbing going on. Very good carbonation, as the partial bubbly cap follows the body down the glass.
West Coast IPA which gets more dank as it warms. The resin resonates.

 

17.25 oz bottled on 10-1-25, opened on 10-25-25.
2+ finger white head with excellent staying power.
Straw golden body with very good clarity.
Thick, clingy lacing pervades.
Mild aroma of lemon citrus and light pine.
Flavor comes alive with more lemon but bold and zesty, more citrus, some melon and apricot as well.
Light, bright body with medium level of carbonation and a zingy mouthfeel. Medium length and dry finish.
Outstanding.

 

Can shared by someone at the tasters choice tasting back in July, thanks for the opportunity!

 

 

I've had this on tap at a local restaurant several times. Its always top notch - clean, clear, filled with bubbles, nice head and lacing. It has a smooth hoppy taste without being obnoxious. It is a perfect WCIPA.

 

 

 

Historic (but upgraded) IPA. Originally brewed in 1944, revisited by RR with today's hops, the result is a modern west-coast IPA that is smooth and drinkable! Bottle art is from the original...pretty cool!

Pours clear and shiny yellow and a nice white head
It has a citrus, tropical aroma and floral notes
Taste is bright and tropical/ citrus
Mouthfeel is crisp and clean and a bit astringent
Overall it’s a great WC style AIPA ticks all the boxes

Excellent beer