Alchemist Heady Topper

Brewed by The Alchemist
Style: Imperial/Double IPA
Waterbury, Vermont USA

Serve in Snifter, Tulip

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Pint can poured into a bubble pint. Pours a murky orange/rust colour with a dense frothy head that clings to the glass, leaving concentric rings of foamy lace with each sip. Large flecks of sediment immediately sink to the bottom. The nose packs an incredible amount of fresh hoppy volatiles. Grapefruit aroma is overwhelming with some zesty, citrus rind and pine as well. Even some passion fruit notes are perceivable. Nuclear hop bomb! Velvety texture in the mouthfeel up front, followed by a highly attenuated, thinner finish, allowing the hop zest, spice and citrus acidity to shine without too much malt interfering. The flavour brings out more of the tropical citrus aromatic qualities, along with some light maltiness that is not overly sweet, which tends to be a problem with many double IPA’s out there. Bitter, resinous finish gives you the desired hop hop assault without astringency. The finish is not terribly long, but it is tasty and drying, making this a highly poundable brewski. Could possibly use more carbonation, but if you take the suggestion written on the top of the can, which is to "DRINK FROM THE CAN!", then it’s possible that it may not have needed more carbonation given that method of serving. This was truly a pleasure. So dank, so fresh!

Can at home. The can tells me to drink from can... And I always do what cans tell me to - so no idea how it looks, But I guess a clear golden with a white/off-white head, and give it a 3. Very bitter with a low, hoppy sweetness. Lots of hops aromas. Mostly of spruce and grape-fruit but also some plant sap. Medium to full bodied, with an oily mouthfeel. Medium carbonation. Long, bitter and extremely hoppy finish. Hoppy!

I love the hoppiness of the beer and there’s very little to no bitterness. It’s a dark amber color and medium to full bodied.

Pours an orange/brownish color. Smell is bursting with hops and citrus. Taste is also very good, lots of hops, citrus, tropical fruits, not overly bitter. Overall a top quality beer worth seeking out.

Bottle shared by Dak. Pour is golden clear, with a small head, with oily texture. Aroma is wonderful hops which results in tons of citrus, with over the top grapefruit. Taste is citrus and hoppy bitterness. Finish is bitter.

cloudy yellow, small white head. Aroma is yeasty, hoppy, bitter and us hoppy, flavor is crisp hoppy, bitter hoppy, flowery hoppy. Nice malty flavor

Can, from Ølbutikken. After all the "Best Performer of the Week"-hype here on Ratebeer I’ve picked up one of these nifty cans out of curiosity. Let’s see what all this is about. Poured into my tulip glass, this one comes out as a slightly hazy, pale yellow beverage with a small white head. Nose is very fruity, with melon, cranberry, strawberry, hints of grass, pine and gooseberry. Very, very nice. Taste is flowery grass tones, lemon touches, grapefruit, hints of grass, earth and lime. Citric bitterness dominates, along with a substantial amount of sweetness at the same time, which doesn’t harmonize in my mouth somehow; where the aroma promised me heaven taste did not quite deliver. Medium carbonation, and very easily drunk for its ABV. All in all an OK DIPA, but nothing more. So what’s with the hype? :-P

Taking the on-can recommendation with this one and drinking it from the can. A bit strange, given that you lose the appearance/aroma qualities, but, hey, brewer’s choice. This is a really nice IPA. Alcohol is high (8%), but hidden, and it really is just all about delicious hop flavor. A bit sticky or resiny. The art is cool, too (I’ll balance the lack of being able to see the beer with the good art and the black tab). Not over bitter. Somehow stays balanced within the realm of the hugely hopped. Nicely done.

16oz can shared by Dallas, thanks man
Appearance: Cloudy orange with a small white head and some lacing
Aroma: Citrus, lemon zest and resinous
Taste: Grapefruit, lemon, grassy with some hot alcohols
Wow, very nice. Wish I could drink this every day

Dåse: Gul let orange klar øl med et fint skumhoved. Dejlig sødlig duft af humle, konen kunne ane kattepis. Jeg havde mest citrus og sød malt. Smagen er igen dejlig humlet med en blød karbonering. Dejlig øl, godt balanceret, men ikke outstanding.

16 ounce can thanks to Dallas. A wonderful presentation. Pours a very cloudy orange color with some particulates floating around and a medium white head. The aroma is big resin and citrus, lemon dominates. A rich brew with grassy and zesty citrus flavors, lighter resin, very zesty and superbly drinkable.