Hoptimum Batch variation

My first purchase of this beer was bottled on 121 and I specifically noted in my review that I thought it was too boozy. Unfortunately I don't have any previous batches to compare it to. I was surprised that this was the beer that I had read such great things about and I hadn't planned on buying any more of it.

 

Everybody's tastes, pouring methods, storage, etc. are different. The power of suggestion is quite powerful and if you're looking for a difference, more likely than not, you'll find it.

 

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/101/pour

 

All that talks about is how to get a good head, which affects the nose, nothing about that has anything to do with the taste from start to finish, or releasing "flavor crystals"

 

Aromatics are both smelled and tasted.

The 'flavor crystals' comment was humorous, not serious.

 

Had it recently and thought it was alcohol forward. The syrupy sweetness follows.

 

You must have poured it wrong lol..

 

Really? I guess I thought it was generally accepted that Hoptimum is boozy for the style.

 

I think it needed more crystals.

 

I wish I still had the bottles from the 2 4-packs I bought this Spring so I could check the batch. I'd never tried this beer before and was really disappointed. Great hop flavor and aroma, but wicked bitter and so boozy I couldn't drink it. Maybe I'll give it another try.

 

Well, you may be correct, but the only reference point that I had to go on was the last 6-10 BA reviews that I read (and various "what are you drinking now" posts that all seem to love it). If you look at the last several reviews there is only one that mentions alcohol at all, and it says "a touch".

 

Could it be that they use whole cone hops and not pellets which could make a difference?

 

Beer head, now with Retsyn.

 

Hoptimum has been pretty consistent to me since last year. Does anyone remember the original 2011 version? Now that was rough and unbalanced, they had to change the recipe after that.

 

Are you kidding me?! Have you tried Celebration? It tastes different every damn year! A whole lot less spice in the last batch!

 

here's a question- what had you eaten and how many beers had you had before both experiences?

 

Depends on what temp your fridge is set to 'cause if it sits for too long at 37 degrees, than *poof*
..flavor crystals go dormant.

 

I just had the second of my 4 pack and this one didn't seem nearly as harsh. The difference? I left it in the fridge longer and it was probably at least 15 degrees colder. I'm going to drink the rest at moderate fridge temp.