HopDevil vs HopDevil vs HopDevil

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by tkdchampxi, Feb 23, 2014.

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  1. tkdchampxi

    tkdchampxi Pooh-Bah (2,473) Oct 19, 2010 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah

    I was at Victory Brewpub yesterday, and I managed to do a side-by-side-by-side taste testing of Victory HopDevil on tap vs Victory HopDevil on Nitro vs Victory HopDevil on cask.

    I preferred, Nitro > Regular > Cask.

    While many of us have had HopDevil on a regular tap, I doubt we have all had the opportunity to have it on Nitro or cask. Using the regular HopDevil as a comparison, I thought the Nitro version was not only smoother, for obvious reasons, but more floral, aromatic, and overall tasty than the regular HopDevil, which had much more pop on the tongue, due to the more intense carbonation. At the same time, the Nitro managed to help soothe the underlying harshness of the regular version, which I may not have otherwise even noticed if it weren't for the side-by-side comparison. The hop profiles seemed to vary between the two beers, too, with the regular HopDevil showing off more piney-ness, and the Nitro version showing off more tropical sweetness.

    The Cask version of the beer was also smoother than the regular version, but in a way that made it seem flat. In addition to the inferior mouthfeel, the lack of additional carbonation or gases caused the beer to lose flavor, aroma, and hoppiness. Rather than have a different hop or flavor profile from the regular HopDevil, the cask version just seemed to be more muted. Overall, however, it was the change in mouthfeel that made the beer seem worse to me.

    Well, there's my analysis. Now, if only I had thought to do a comparison with HopDevil in the bottle, too, and I could have had a 4-way taste testing of the same beer.
     
    #1 tkdchampxi, Feb 23, 2014
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  2. stingley

    stingley Crusader (467) Sep 21, 2013 Pennsylvania

    I had an IPA on nitro at a brewpub. I really did not care for it, it was just too weird for me. I'm all over stouts on nitro, but I found it difficult to appreciate the IPA.
     
    #2 stingley, Feb 23, 2014
  3. bsideone

    bsideone Initiate (0) Jan 19, 2014 Pennsylvania

    Hop devil is going on nitro at spots in Pittsburgh for beerweek ill know more then lol
     
    #3 bsideone, Feb 23, 2014
  4. BrettHead

    BrettHead Initiate (0) Sep 18, 2010 Nebraska

    Nitro is terrible for pales in my experience
     
    #4 BrettHead, Feb 23, 2014
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  5. y2jrock60

    y2jrock60 Pundit (841) Dec 5, 2007 Pennsylvania

    I had it on Nitro at a local bar and come to have mixed feelings. The mouth-feel is odd for an IPA, it's extremely smooth and light bodied. The hops are definitely more pronounced and aromatic though. I do like what nitro does to hops, but I just can't get over the weird mouth-feel.
     
    #5 y2jrock60, Feb 23, 2014
  6. TTAmod

    TTAmod Initiate (0) Oct 4, 2008 Illinois

    I think the nitro is out of this world for Hop Devil. It's one of my favorite beers, but I think the nitro takes it to a different level.
     
    #6 TTAmod, Feb 23, 2014
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  7. tkdchampxi

    tkdchampxi Pooh-Bah (2,473) Oct 19, 2010 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah

    I agree that the mouthfeel is odd, in that it is different, but I guess I just don't mind it as much, since the flavor is so great
     
    #7 tkdchampxi, Feb 23, 2014
  8. HeelsandEers

    HeelsandEers Initiate (0) Jun 8, 2013 West Virginia

    I hate Hop Devil
     
    #8 HeelsandEers, Feb 23, 2014
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  9. ZagZagg

    ZagZagg Zealot (669) May 13, 2008 New Jersey

    I get that theres a certain mystique with cask brew, but it shits on the mouthfeel in my opinion. My initial thoughts are always that the beer seems watery. I have not had the chance to taste any IPAs or other pales on nitro, but I am quite intrigued. I would imagine that it would emphasize some of the more subtle fruit and sweetness.
     
    #9 ZagZagg, Feb 24, 2014
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  10. 57md

    57md Grand Pooh-Bah (3,033) Aug 22, 2011 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    Hop Devil is one of my favorite IPAs. It's great on-tap and bottled, but I have yet to experience it on cask. I tried it on nitro and did not care for it. That said, I really don't think that IPAs are conducive to being served on nitro tap. For the record, I enjoy stouts on nitro.
     
    #10 57md, Feb 24, 2014
  11. Merle_Allin

    Merle_Allin Initiate (0) Feb 13, 2014 Colorado

    Stouts are the only beer I'll have on Nitro, and really Left Hands Milk Stout is the best nitro beer I've ever had
     
    #11 Merle_Allin, Feb 24, 2014
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  12. cpxc

    cpxc Initiate (0) Sep 23, 2013 Pennsylvania

    it was on nitro at the libary on carson st in pittsburgh friday night
     
    #12 cpxc, Feb 24, 2014
  13. dar482

    dar482 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,063) Mar 9, 2007 New York
    Pooh-Bah

    Agreed. I believe this is the only IPA I've had on nitro, but it was pretty awesome. Absolutely loved the mouthfeel.
     
    #13 dar482, Feb 24, 2014
  14. JohnCassillo

    JohnCassillo Initiate (0) Mar 29, 2013 California

    This is a pretty cool idea. Wish there were more opportunities to check this out with other beers.
     
    #14 JohnCassillo, Feb 24, 2014
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  15. FatBoyGotSwagger

    FatBoyGotSwagger Grand Pooh-Bah (3,999) Apr 4, 2009 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I remember saying how much I enjoyed the Nitro devil a year ago here on BA and was nearly chastised for being so ignorant to enjoy an IPA on nitro which clearly ******s the flavor profile(that's what they said). I said I tasted it and it was good.. seems I'm not the only one who enjoys nitro devil :wink:
     
    #15 FatBoyGotSwagger, Feb 24, 2014
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  16. Evahflow

    Evahflow Zealot (689) Aug 13, 2013 Pennsylvania

    Lots of places have it on nitro in Pittsburgh pretty often. I usually wont order it other wise. It's like a completely different beer on Nitro
     
    #16 Evahflow, Feb 24, 2014
  17. Ieatlambfries

    Ieatlambfries Maven (1,344) Dec 5, 2003 New Jersey

    Never had nitro HD.

    But I had it on cask at Victory way back in 2006. Preferred it over regular tap version. But it was a long time ago, maybe my taste has changed. Definitely like to try the nitro version at some point.
     
    #17 Ieatlambfries, Feb 24, 2014
  18. fredmugs

    fredmugs Initiate (0) Aug 11, 2012 Indiana

    I had Hop Devil on Nitro and it was disgusting. It was frothy.
     
    #18 fredmugs, Feb 24, 2014
  19. Kadonny

    Kadonny Pooh-Bah (2,616) Sep 5, 2007 Florida
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Agreed, why are we even talking about it. Undrinkable beer.


    PS: Have not had it on nitro yet, but I like CO2 better than the cask version.
     
    #19 Kadonny, Feb 24, 2014
  20. TheNightwatchman

    TheNightwatchman Initiate (0) Mar 28, 2009 Pennsylvania

    I've had it on cask, and I definitely prefer the normal tap version. I'd like to try nitro at some point. Maybe they'll have it the next time I go to Victory.
     
    #20 TheNightwatchman, Feb 24, 2014
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