Sierra Nevada Hoptimum is here

I still have some of last years, wonder if its any good? Only one way to find out...

 

...and call me crazy, but I still think that Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is damn good stuff...and I just love Torpedo. I haven't had anything but their year-round line-up...oh, and Celebration. I've thoroughly enjoyed them all.

 

SNPA is an icon. Its everywhere... It (and Boston Beer Co) paved the road for every tom, dick & harry to start brewing beer. On a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean? Most likely they have SNPA. A random gas station in the middle of no where? SNPA & its at a great price point. When a TV show or a movie wants to put a beer in someones hand during a scene, quite a few times its the iconic green label of a SNPA you see.
Back on topic... I fricken love the art on the Hoptimum bottle!

 

Yes sir I agree. They are the best!

 

IMO Hoptimum is better than a lot of this site's favorite DIPAs.

 

There is a choice other than Summerfest from SN and that is Pale Ale or Torpedo.

 

Funny you say that. I drank a four pack quickly one evening and woke up the next day near death too. I didn't have any more Hoptimum the rest of the year. Ready to give it another go around, but with more caution.

 

oooooh I want one now! I've come to really appreciate SN more. After searching and trying so many, I recall how much I've enjoyed PA and cellared BF. I've taken it for granted, just think all the BF I could have aged since 09 when I first tried it. 2 years on it was amazing. Grabbed a 4pk right away this year to hide. I have to give Torpedo another try. Kicking myself for not grabbing Hoptimum last year.

 

Something that I don't already buy plenty of year round.

 

Very nice discussion

If I had to compare SN to anything, it would probably be Deschutes. Both have solid year rounds and amazing limited releases. You can't go wrong with any of these breweries offerings. (Torpedo is still my favorite session!)

Lol my experience with this brew as well. I drank a 4 pack of Hoptimum, a Serpents Stout, and another big beer I can't recall, WAY too quickly one night and ended up throwing up and feeling like death the next morning. Completely stayed clear of Hoptimum the rest of the year.

Can't wait for it to hit shelves in WA!

 

The hops are so intense that they resemble alcohol heat. The beer confuses me.

 

I remember the first time I got some. I drank one slowly and my friend gunned 2 right away. He could not even walk right after that and he had another one! Needless to say he got really sick later. Me I was fine. I sipped one and then switched to some SNPA for 2 pints.

 

Any luck?

 

That's actually a characteristic I look for in better DIPAs, especially on the high end of the ABV spectrum. Rye spiciness and some hops character can really fold in some of that alcohol heat, in my opinion, so that blurring of the lines is something that the better examples of those huge, hoppy bastards often do.

 

That's what I personally don't like about it. It's too hot and boozy, imo. Some people like that, some don't. I haven't had this year's yet, I'll probably grab a single to see how it's drinking this year..

 

Nothing spotted as of yet, i've tried the places around town. I'll need to check in the next town over. They usually get beers in a bit quicker than most.

 

I asked, because I was weary of it. I too thought, no way... but the beer was extremely fresh. I had it a ton last year and this was pretty damn fresh.. Felt like eating hops when I drank it.

This wasn't a hole in the wall place though, It's a 100 point world class BA rating, that has stuff like Stone Enjoy By and whatnot on tap. I asked, and was told it was this years. I didn't see the date, but have no reason to think this place would have a year old keg of Hoptimum and be selling it.

 

I drank a 4 pack one night, along with a bunch of other crap during a rehearsal dinner last year, and I thought I was going to die in the morning as well.

I think I slept in the shower... I took a few weeks off from Hoptimum, but it's a damn good beer worth keeping in the fridge.

 

I agree and have the same plan

 

One of my favorite IIPAs made and possibly the most underrated IIPA out there. Can stand up to most anything in the style. Amazing brew and about to pour one myself .