2017 Sierra Nevada Hoptimum

Yeah I've drank a six pack already. It is really good, way better than previous years. They finally got that beer dialed in.

 

It was perfect the way it was. Its just a light version of its former self. They must have had to do it because of folks tastes cant handle the intensity of the OG.

 

I had it a couple of days ago .....



It was better than I remembered it. I don't think I'd describe it as a "Triple IPA," but I'd certainly describe it as a pretty doggone good DIPA.

 

I agree completely, I thought the original recipe was near perfection. Seems like we are in the minority about not liking the change though so it probably was a good move for Sierra Nevada.

 

Yeah to each their own. I personally didn't think the old recipe was very similar to Torpedo but that may be due to how much Torpedo I drink, probably a good 2-3 per week average. Don't get me wrong I still really like this new version and it's growing on me after each one I have. Just my initial thoughts here.

Totally agree about the packaging though! Was really bummed to see they changed the Bigfoot artwork and now they changed the Hoptimum also. Hopefully they won't change the Narwhal label

 

I prefer the older hotter recipe still good stuff

 

They rebranded/changed the packaging... had to do a double take and go, oh, OK, Hoptimum.

 

Thanks, man. We're pretty proud of the new recipe. We're going to keep tweaking Hoptimum year-over-year to keep it interesting for us. We've learned a lot about how to get big-ass hop flavor since the original debut of the beer in 2009, and we wanted to make a new version that used some of our new attitude toward late hops.
Glad you liked it.

-Bill

 

Has it changed enough that a new beer should be added on BA? Some beers vary year-to-year and a new entry is created every year. How would we denote this - Hoptimum 2017, Hoptimum v2, or Hoptimumer?

 

had my first few today, loved the old recipe, but it seems this is the way the IPA is headed, for better or worse. That said, despite loving getting my tongue scorched on past versions, this years is actually pretty darn good! For you all that decided this years Waldos was too sweet, you should give this a try!

 

The easiest solution is probably to change the description of the original listing to something like Hoptimum 2009-2016, and then create a new listing for Hoptimum 2017-

 

Sure did, I think it's a major improvement but I did enjoy the old recipe as well. I will definitely pick this up again. Also, love that it's in six-packs.

 

Hopefully the new format that allows brewers to "own" their listings will kick in and correct this. It probably should be listed as a new beer and the old Hoptimum listed as retired. If the new beer is improved that much then getting drug down by old ratings seems like something the Brewer would be keen on fixing.

 

Agreed. I added the new description/details of this years version yesterday, but was just added on to the original info.

 

Yowza what a change for the positive.

Gave up in Hoptimum a few years ago as it was inferior to many DIPAs, not even in the modern realm.

But heard it had a reboot & decided to try. Great one for us old-time beer geeks - think it has nice balance for such a crowded market here in NE & isticks out from the rest.

 

Long Live Sierra Nevada.