Heady Topper Comparison

Hop Drop & Roll

 

I've done a lot of blind testings of IPAs with HT involved in the mix when I can. One beer that constantly pops up in reviews as mini-HT like is Hop Notch by Uinta, similar profile...just everything about it is shrunken down (?), i think it's just much less in your face hops imho. Hop Notch is almost always is in the top 3 as well in the testings. Limbo is more caramel than HT. Decender IPA from Good Life Brewing is a new one in our market but has won the last two blind tastings, so if you can get that one on that side of the state, i'd recommend it.

 

Closest beer Ive head to Heady has been Gandhi Bot

 

Yeah, so much more readily available than HT, too. (Oh--I missed the sarcasm, right?)
edited to add: I see several ave made the same point, but you were kidding, right?

 

Bissell Brothers "the Substance" in it's 16 oz. can glory is as close to Heady Topper "Light" as i've seen.

 

HT is in a league of its own. Russian River Pliny and Blind Pig are are also unique but I have never seen them outside of CA; I'm also told that they will not distribute anywhere that will not refrigerate their product (i.e. BEVMO). Although labeled. "Session Beer", Stone Go To IPA has a great flavor profile. Also like the Victory Hop Ranch.

 

I must admit, Grapefruit Slam is delicious. I had it on tap two weeks ago and it was very popular down here. I'm going to hazard up an opinion on HT, the only can that i've tried must've been old because I was wholly underwhelmed by it. It tasted like an average IPA to me and you know what it's like.... you hear about a beer and wonder what all the hype is about it.... then finally taste it and think.... Meh.

I'm convinced that the only way i'm going to get to drink one fresh is to brew it myself. I actually plan to do that this weekend. I have sourced all of the ingredients including the very rare Conan yeast. I'm planning a nice cool 30 day ferment with two separate dry hop additions. We'll see how it goes.

 

I completely agree with this statement. Abrasive doesn't have that slightly peachy thing going on, but otherwise very similar.

 

In my opinion Lawson's Double Sunshine out shines Heady Topper, and you can pour it into a glass.

 

hang on...do you guys have a hard time getting pliny the younger? this is, like, the third reply I've seen like this...

 

This... I can't speak on Ghandi Bot, but Abrasive was the closest I've ever had to Heady and it was really close.

 

I'm not going to compare anything to heady, but I am psyched about all the G BOT love in here.

 

Yeah man Jai Alai is a beast. Pliny the Elder is on my list too. It's crazy how hard it is to finish the three. The abv. is so well hidden, and flavors are insane. Each are on it's own pedestal. I've been hearing a lot about Treehouse's Julius, hoping that's next. Cheers to brewers!

 

Double Dose from Lawson's/Otter Creek is by far the closest in style and quality that I've had. Very similar.

Not that that helps as far as availability...

 

When I had Double Dose from Lawsons/Otter Creek I was immediately reminded of HT for some reason.

 

Agree. I too describe Be Hoppy as “Heady Topper Lite” to friends who haven’t had it. Similar hop profile and appearance. Too bad others outside of MA can't get it easily.

 

thats pretty much the only way to satisfy this hop snob revolution going on unless ur sucking it from the bottling line.

 

Be Hoppy in the can definitely smells exactly like Heady Topper. Doesn't taste the same but its in the general vicinity. I think it doesn't taste quite as good on tap but still a very good beer from a brewery with a terrible name, terrible beer names and terrible artwork. Don't understand how anyone would compare Sixpoint Hi Res to HT at all. Not even remotely similar, although it is good on its own. Lawsons Double Sunshine seems kind of similar but I've only had it once.

 

I love that you drink HT out of the can, I would rather have it in the can than the glass.