2012 Hoptimum

Yesss this sounds amazing, can't wait to find it.

 

Hoping I can find some tomorrow. Had it on tap a few times last year and liked it. Did not have it from the bottle though. Pretty cool they are doing 4 packs this years. Cheers to Sierra.

 

You are correct sir. I've only been on big bitter IPAs for 6 months, and I already have a hard time finding beers that give me enough of a mouthful of hoppy greatness. I haven't seen it in PA, but I can't wait to pick some up.

 

I picked up 2 4 packs today!

 

Just opened my first bottle. Found it pretty hot and harsh. Good pine character. But, having had Younger on Thursday night and Elder last night, anyone claiming they're comparable either lacks a palate or hasn't had either of the Plinys fresh from a clean line.

 

Excellent beer! Ultra hoppy, and I found the ABV to be shockingly well hidden.

 

Got it at my store here in Albuquerque last week. Only got 10 cases but thats better than the 2 cases of bombers I got last year. Glad they upped production and put it in 4 packs. An awesome Imperial IPA for sure, and for 10 bucks a 4pk I will buy it all day

 

Just cracked my first bottle - this stuff is very tasty!! The best SN beer I have had to date.

 

Well I finally got to a few stores today around the San Diego area and no one has this yet. Very odd that we have not got any yet.

 

All I remember from last year was my palate beaten into submission by the hop attack. Still enjoyed the punishment though.. This year, it's pretty good too, but not nearly as angry.

 

I could share my opinions of Hoptimum, but if you look at my avatar and consider a picture is worth a thousand words...

 

I must go against the grain here and confirm my 2011 impressions on this DIPA. In almost every Sierra Nevada product, there is a coppery astringency which rides along. Whatever formula produces this, it works in Bigfoot and it seems a bit supressed in Celebration, whose hop profile delivers more "West Coast" elements. Hoptimum steers quite clear from the grapefruit/tropical hop spectrum and doubles down on this coppery, bitter element, to negative effect IMO. The ultimate amplification of this taste is exhibited in Ruthless Rye, utterly undrinkable for me. Hoptimum is a clear thumbs down. The approach should strive to achieve more of a Citra, Amarillo, Simcoe, Cascade, Nugget profile. Ultimately, this beer by this larger producer should attempt to produce the greatest IPA in the country and challenge producers whose level of production or distribution shortcomings (Russian River, Alchemist, Bells etc.) render their beers difficult to procure. I know from product brought to EBF that they can do it. My 2 cents.

 

This finally showed up at my local shop and I am completely impressed. Much improved from last year IMO. To be honest, this is one of the best DIPA's I've tried in a long time. Super piney but balanced with plenty of caramel and fruity goodness in the nose. Considering the price point this is, IMO, an absolute home run!

 

damn i should have got this today i saw it in stock at delocks liquor store in dyer, IN if anyone is in the area and is looking for it.

 

I'm working on my second case of it. Unles it's me, I thought the batch from two years ago was actually better. I'd easily buy a third case in a heartbeat.

 

Has anyone tried it on draft yet? It's so much more boozy than in bottle.

 

I'll pick up a 4-pack when they arrive around here. I'm definitely curious, but I didn't like the 24oz bottles in early 2011 much at all. Way too sweet and boozy for me. Curious if it's changed.

 

They did a good thing switching to 12 oz. bottles. They did a bad thing by slamming the boil with bittering hops.

This beer hides the alcohol well, and has an excellent grapefruit/pine flavor profile, but damn it's bitter as hell. I've had far too many better-balanced IPAs in the past few months to even put this on my top 10 list. When I drink an IPA, I don't want it to be a bitter mess. I prefer a mellower, more balanced, more complex profile.

 

Anyone else think it is an onion bomb? Don't know if that is the simcoe or the 'experimental' hop...I taste it in ruthless too but not like in hoptimum--it smacks you in the face with oniony BO. Is my palate off?