Hermitage Hoptopia

Brewed by Hermitage Brewing Co.
Style: Imperial/Double IPA
San Jose, California USA

Serve in Shaker, Snifter

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Pours a clean copper color with a pillowy white head that has a decent staying power. Aroma is extra light with very light notes of lemon citrus and some mild grassy notes with a very light grassy finish. Flavor has strong grassy and light orange citrus flavor followed by a watered down lightly toasted malt flavor. The body is very light with a slightly watery feel to it due to the low carbonation present. Overall just an okay brew. The alcohol is definitely not present but the double IPA flavor/nose is lacking a bit in my opinion.

Thick white head with lots of carbonation. Strong hop aroma. Upfront hop flavor with subtle sweet malt in the background. Alcohol flavor is spicy and a bit too strong.

Super carbonated with a huge firm head that slowly dissipates. Clean aroma of citrus and bread. Flavor is bitter, notes of caramel and piney hops. Its decent.

Very bitter IPA with a nice balance of hops between floral, citrus, pine and bitter. Finish is bitter. Body and mouth feel are on the light side but not too underpowered to keep up with the hops. Nice.

Bottle at tasting. Pours clear amber, medium off white head, some lacing. Aroma is resin, light grain, citrus. Flavor is the same, citrus, light sweet, light bitter. Medium body.

A rich and deep amber colored brew with a thin off white head. The nose is massive grapefruit and sweet peanuts. There is also some toast and a pleasant floral character. This tastes of fairly bitter piney, especially in the finish. The hop resin lingers for a long time. Strong notes of wood are certainly present along with hints of ash. The taste of the bitter hops absolutely overwhelms the malt character. After a little more drinking, bits of citrus begin to shine through. This is a very bitter brew, but somehow it comes across as more refined and balanced than most IIPA’s. This is very well done.

Color is orange with not much of a white. Aroma is sweet and carmal. Taste is a balance of hops and malts. Nothing great tho.

22-oz. bomber into a pint glass at my house on Oct. 5, 2012 (purchased at BevMo in La Mesa (San Diego, Calif.) for $3.99 (with card) on Oct. 5, 2012). Honey caramel with just over two fingers of thick, frothy, white head. Very good retention on the sides and the top. Smelled hops right out of the gate. Got some citrus (lime heavy), cascade and some spice. Maybe Columbus, too? (I struggle at times distinguishing between types of hops). A little bit of lemon butter in there late. Taste wasn’t too much like the smell, unfortunately. Got caramel, very bitter hops (lemon/lime? And rubbing alcohol. Very oft-putting. Reminded me of a homeless guy’s Manzanita Chaotic. Medium body. Creamy texture. Average carbonation. Long, astringent, bitter finish. Smell could’ve been a higher rating, but overall this was just not good. My overall rating of a 2.5 (Beer Advocate) or 8.0 (Rate Beer) may be way too high.

Hazy, orange-yellow with a white head. The aroma is full of floral hops along with milder citrus. It has a medium body with an oily texture and average carbonation. The taste is bittersweet with a somewhat dry finish.