Hippo's Hand Double India Pale Ale
River Horse Brewing Co.

Murky, orange color. One finger thick, white head. Aroma of citrus and mango. Juicy and bitter taste. Flavor of tropical fruits with domination of grapefruits. Well brewed, trendy, New England DIPA .

 

River Horse Brewing Co. "Hippo's Hand"
12 fl. oz. can, "PACKAGED: 01/08/21"
$2 @ Wegmans, King of Prussia, Pa

Notes via stream of consciousness: So how do we classify this beer? I'd call it a fruit beer as it's brewed with Buddha's Hand Fruit, but it's listed here on BA as an Imperial IPA. It is 9% ABV, but the label simply reads "New England Style India Pale Ale". I'll just wash my hands of that argument and go with reviewing it hedonistically. It looks great in the glass for being a hazy NEIPA. The body is a cloudy golden-orange and the head is a short cap of dense white foam. The aroma is fruity, and I'll go with tropical/citrusy. I have no idea what Buddha's Hand Fruit smells like so I certainly couldn't pick that out. The malt is strongly bready. On to the taste... no, wait, let me look up this Buddha's Hand Fruit. ... ... ... OK, so it's a citrus that has no fruit or pulp to speak of, and basically acts like lemon peel. So do I smell lemon? Well, yes, but it's not strong, and there are Citra hops in here and I often get some lemon from them, so who knows what I'm actually smelling. Ahh, there's also lemondrop! Knowing that I'm not so sure the Buddha's Hand Fruit has done much for this beer, but OK, now let's taste it... it's very similar to the aroma. The maltiness is basically as strong as the fruitiness to me, which is OK because it essentially is a double, or Imperial, IPA at 9% and in my experience the hops are generally more muted because of that. Is there lemon? Absolutely. It's got more lemon than any other fruit, perhaps, but it's also fairly muddled. I'm finding orange, peach, flowers, grass, mango, spice, herbs, and earthiness. I don't know what's what with this beer, but that's OK because I can simply ask the question, do I like it? Yes. Yes, I do. It's not great but it's certainly not bad. Do I find it balanced? Yes. I'm guessing it's about 50 IBUs which is enough to balance the rich maltiness, and there's also some spiciness to it which seems to be at least partially from the alcohol although I'm guessing it's coming from some of the hosp as well. What were the hops? Mosaic, Citra, and Lemondrop - so perhaps not. Regardless, it's balanced. I get some lemony citrus and bready and lightly caramelish malt in the finish with some earth and a hint of pine. It's medium-full in body and creamy and somewhat smooth. I think the alcohol is giving it a little bit of a bite. So what to say about this beer? I'm not really sure about the labeling on it but it is somewhat like an NEIPA. Should it have been labeled as double NEIPA? I think so, but that's the brewer's call. In the end, judging it completely hedonistically, I'd say that it's pretty good but not great. It's at least a little bit of a curiosity so there's that.
Review #7,615

12 oz can. Pours hazy orange with tall, long lasting, fluffy white head and lively carbonation. Aroma is of citrusy hops, bready malt, some spices and tropical fruit. Body is medium and crisp. Herbal, citrusy hops dominate the palate with bready malt, lemon grass and tropical fruit in the background. Finish is long and very bitter. OK brew.

 

 

 

Take some pineapples, mangoes and vodka. Throw it all into a blender. Mix well. And you'll have yourself a Hippo's Hand! I'm sure this beer is okay for what it is, but to me, it simply tasted too much like a fruity juice with booze added along with 360 calories per 16 ounce can. I'll finish my 4-pack although that'll be it.

 

 

 

 

Poured from the tap into a tulip glass at the Olde Bar in Philly. The appearance is a cloudy golden yellow with a small white head. The aroma is citrus, hops and malt. The taste is similar to the nose.

 

 

Poured into a grip shaped goblet glass: color is hazy gold/copper, head is off white with fine bubbles, head laces the glass with a huge head at first (1.5+ inches) and then dissipates to a thin top.

Smell is fresh, floral hops, lemon rind aroma noted but not dominating, neutral malt with light toast.

Taste is similar with floral, lemony hops, I'm not picking up any fruit but there is a subtle sweetness and flavor.

Mouthfeel is not quite that bitter, abv is well hidden and its not that dry for the strength.

Overall a good dipa, slightly different than most others in the style at this strength and sub style, but very drinkable.

Pours a completely opaque straw color with a finger of head. The nose has bright fruity notes of citrus fruits, most definitively pineapple. The flavor is tropical fruity and grassy with a semi dry finish that is not too bitter.

I have generally been underwhelmed by Riverhorse beers in the past. This offering encourages me to give them another try.

 

Draft at Sidney's in East Berlin PA Pours a hazy gold with a modest but durable off-white head. Initial impression is very juicy and citrus-y, tending toward the lemon end of the spectrum. Somewhat sweet. Mouthfeel is medium and sticky; carbonation is light enough so as not to interfere with the taste. Alcohol is well hidden. Finish is sweet and hefty. All in all, an interesting but not compelling take on the NEIPA.