Hop Delusion

Definitely not that - that crap tasted like lighter fluid. (Side note: Didn't try it again after first batch, did they fix it?)

This tastes ok (good) to me. I specifically remember the pineapple notes from previous versions and those were present right away on this batch.

Perhaps the fact that it is in a can may be a variable that accounts for some difference in taste.

 

This is in no way near the Valkyrie debacle from a couple of years back...

Although I will say that ProAm2012 will always be my GOAT DIPA from Texas

 

Haven't tried the latest HD yet, but I have heard now from more than one unconnected person that it's a shadow of its former self. I'm not saying I necessarily think the same: I will reserve judgment till I try it.

That said, you're right, this isn't the Valkyrie debacle... That would require Karbach coming in and demanding that the beer is exactly the same and anyone who thinks otherwise is wrong.

 

Had my first of the four pack. I think this on par with previous years releases. Plenty of citrus notes and hoppy as hell. It will be interesting to see how it holds up in the can over the summer.

 

Not even close to what I remember from the last two years. Minimal aroma and I am not picking up much mosaic. Honestly, it just tastes like an amped up hopadillo.

 

In my defense, I was merely alluding to how this version is not measuring up to the original version, not the degree of variance. Just opened one. Indeed, it is not how I remembered the last Hop Delusion, but it's still pretty, pretty good. Getting noticeable green onion aroma and taste, along with a full bodied tropical sweet dankiness. Reminds me of the last Stone Enjoy By. I'll buy more.

 

Had my first of this year's batch last night. Yeah, it didn't taste like previous versions to me either. Good, but not as 'West Coast style' as previous batches.

 

I just had this at the brewery, and you guys are crazy. I guess nothing is ever as good as you remember, but this is still great. I don't care to categorize this as west coast, east coast, or whatever. It is still the same to me. Great balance, really easy to drink. Whatever, just keep over analyzing everything instead of enjoying a well made beer.

 

Great balance is the exact opposite of what I look for in a double ipa. Some actual flavoring hops would be nice.

 

Well, I never said it was not hoppy. A DIPA can be hoppy, aromatic and balanced, just not overly bitter. Both Endavour and Hop Delusion fit this mold, and both are great. I guess that is just me though.

 

Bingo brother...hops should smack me in the face and Chris Tucker should stand over me and say, "You got knocked the fuck out!"

 

I've drank more than 6 cans of the recent Hop Delusion. I am disappointed. I had much higher expectations. It seems to me that the Magnum bittering hops are over dominant and the flavoring hops such as Mosaic fall way too short. Very little floral or citrus flavors that should be dominant. Karbach fucked this one up. The latest batch of St. Arnold Endeavor is much better taste wise. Sierra Nevada Hoptimum is out now. Stone Ruin10 should be coming out in June. Looks like Austin Beerworks makes the best Texas DIPA with the latest Heavy Machinery. Brash is still unavailable and they have to prove themselves by actually canning a DIPA and putting it on the shelves.
I suggest passing on Hop Delusion this year. Let Karbach know they fucked up.

 

Well, I'm going to add to this mishmash of opinions. My second can of Hop Delusion this evening was freaking delicious, much like I remember last years batch. No green onion taste or aroma like can #1 ( probably due to prior IPA's screwing up my taste buds ), just a syrupy, hoppy, tropical glass of enjoyment. Can # 3 also great. Will definitely be buying more. I think its great that we are discussing how this DIPA measures up to last years batch or similar beers, when five years ago Texas was a craft beer wasteland compared to the plethora of fantastic beers we have available to us now!

 

Yes. The fact that we can be so picky about TEXAS MADE double IPAs is great in and of itself.

Progress.

 

I think a lot of folks under estimate the evolution of their palate over a years time.

 

Interesting that you would say that... I got to try my first couple of cans of Heady Topper and Sip of Sunshine very recently (within the last month) and I would say that those beers did exactly that... my palate was just blown away at how good they were, and there was a few days there where it didn't matter what I drank, it simply seemed sub par...

That being said, I had a couple of these Friday night, seemed just as awesome as every other year I've had it. It is definitely one of the best IPA's being produced in this state. Tropical, Juicy, melon, pineapple... not tongue-numbingly bitter on the taste, and I can barely tell it's 9% until I realize I've downed 2 in a hurry and go to stand up.... I'll be buying more for sure. None of the off-flavor notes others experienced were noticed over here...

 

I can't say it tasted the same as last year or whatever but it's definitely just as good.

 

My brother also had this at the brewery and said the same, that its amazing and as good as last year. He called me crazy and a few other names. Then he cracked a few cans and was met with disappointment. So I dunno wtf is going on.

I'm gonna sit on my last few cans for about another week and see what happens. A few greenhouse cans were like this and they seemed to come together after a bit of time.