RateBeer
Score
8380
OVERALLStyle
Brewed by Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery
Style: American Pale Ale
Barrie, Canada

bottled
common

on tap
available

Regional Distribution

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RATINGS: 192   WEIGHTED AVG: 3.33   EST. CALORIES: 150   ABV: 5%
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COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION
Defying real focus (how unlike us!), we had to call Hoptical Illusion an Almost Pale Ale (5% Alc./Vol. / IBU 17.5 / Colour SRM 3.44). Hoptical Illusion approaches the characteristics of a pale ale, but takes a quick u-turn at the end. At 18 IBUs versus 25 and up for English Pale Ales, we’re hoppier than most commercial beers, but not too crazy. The star of the show is the dizzying aroma of the privately grown Amarillo hop. Beyond the provocative citrus and floral essences that resonate from the Amarillo’s small, tight cone is a subtle but unique maltiness blended from amber kiln and roasted specialty malts. Finishing with a final Amarillo reference, Hoptical Illusion is a beer that doesn’t beat you over the head, steal your wallet, and jack your car. But you still wouldn’t want meet it in a dark alley.


jcwattsrugger's rating

3.5
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 14/20
jcwattsrugger (10064) - Florida and, New Jersey, USA - DEC 27, 2010
Tampa Weekly Gathering @BT Wesley Chapel-I got in trade with Fred82-12oz bottle-pours a dissipating off white head and amber color. Aroma is some resin, medium malt-caramel. Taste is resin/spice hops with some bite, medium malt-caramel. OK effervescence.


most recent ratings

3.1
   AROMA 6/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 6/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 13/20
Canmoore (79) - Ottawa, Ontario, CANADA - JUN 8, 2013
This beer poured a clear straw colour, with a minimal head. The aroma was of light malts, citrus, nuts and grains. the tasting notes include more light malts, orange peel, mango, and a slightly hoppy finish. Good overall, but I am not a fan of the style.

3.4
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 6/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 13/20
dresden (533) - Saskatchewan, CANADA - JUN 5, 2013
Finally drank this one. Clear golden amber with a frothy white cap. Fruity citrus hop aroma. Taste is sweet with medium caramel malt, like bitterness and finishes with a nice grapefruit hop. Good stuff.

3.7
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 15/20
jdobbs (85) - - MAY 23, 2013
UPDATED: MAY 26, 2013 Great aroma. I love Pale Ales with hop. Everything I’ve had from this brewery has been great to amazing.

3.4
   AROMA 6/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 6/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 14/20
Hoppypocket (186) - Trois-rivieres, Quebec, CANADA - MAY 7, 2013
Pours a clear copper with white head and a nice lacing. Aroma of grapefruits, little piney smell. Taste is simmilar with a nice caramel backbone wich is not overpowering. Medium body and medium carbonation. Overall a good pale.

3.4
   AROMA 6/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 15/20
JamesChamp (111) - Canada, Ontario, CANADA - APR 15, 2013
It is a decent beer to drink, but nothing to crazy or overpowering taste you get from other micro beers out there. It is easy drinking.

3.3
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 6/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 14/20
Maklean (50) - Ontario, CANADA - APR 7, 2013
Pours cloudy amber with small diminishing head. Aroma of soft pine and citrus. Taste of cascade hops and slight caramel.

3.4
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 6/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 14/20
tom10101 (1166) - Quebec, CANADA - APR 2, 2013
Bottle (355 ml). Thanks to czar! Clear amber with a small creamy off-white head and good lacing. Aroma of malt and grapefruit with some earthy notes. Taste is moderately malty with grapefruit and caramel notes. Earthy and dusty too. Low but sticky bitter finish. Medium body. Decent.

3.5
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 15/20
herrbrown1974 (357) - Toronto, Ontario, CANADA - MAR 19, 2013
Surprised I’ve never rated this. Was one of the first local IPAs I tried a couple of years ago. A nice gateway beer for people looking to breakaway from the norm. On tap. Dark copper with an active fizzy cream head. Creamy mouthfeel. Biscuity maltiness with a sweet floral aroma. Hint of grapefruit. Flavour is moderately bitter throughout with a medium bitter finish. It’s a sessionable hoppy amber.

3.8
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 16/20
HeistAlmighty (850) - Saint John, New Brunswick, CANADA - JAN 23, 2013
355ml bottle. Deep red amber colour. Another in a mini series i've been on with red/amber ales hopped like an IPA. Nice balance between the aggressive hop and caramel malt. Overall, a good balance. ---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone

5
   AROMA 10/10   APPEARANCE 5/5   TASTE 10/10   PALATE 5/5   OVERALL 20/20
BelgieFan (3) - - DEC 29, 2012 does not count
If you like hops, this is a great beer! Fun marketing materials, too (beer packaging, beer cap liner, etc.).


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