Schmohz Hopknocker Imperial IPA

Brewed by Schmohz Brewing Co.
Style: Imperial/Double IPA
Grand Rapids, Michigan USA

Serve in Shaker, Snifter

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I didn’t realize that this brewery was right down the street until I passed it the other day. I grabbed myself a six-pack of Hopknocker and BAM! I was impressed. It has a smoothness about it, yet its thicker than expected. I’m sure this is a beer that could be drank cold, or warm.

Pours deep amber with a tan head. Thick and creamy but not nearly as bitter as I was expecting. There is a lot of dried fruit and some esters in there. Almost tastes more like a barley wine than a DIPA.

12 oz bottle. Pours dark amber with a white head. Aroma is earthy and nutty. Flavor leads with a peanut nuttiness, Belgian yeast flavor, and earthiness with some toasted malts and black pepper flavors and a touch of alcohol. I have absolutely no idea what this has to do with an imperial IPA, but as a Belgian ale or something it’s pretty good.

floral, thick feel, medium body, I like this beer, however it needs to be ingested lightly. it is awfully sweet, and seems a bit heavy at times. A single pint will do me for this, compared to the traditional IPA.

bottle - Pours murker amber-brown and smells of hops, pine, booze, and fruit in a rather odd mix. The flavor has heavy hops with a little pine and a lot of malt sweetness. The malt profile is particularly odd. I’m not sure what’s going on with it, but it’s off and there’s something stale about the whole thing (it’s a new bottle). The body is thin for the style and the lingering bitterness isn’t particularly pleasant. The side of the bottle says that "the brew staff pooled opinions and ideas. When a consensus could not be made, they decided to throw it all in the pot". I assumed that they were kidding, but this beer is such a mess I’m not so sure now. At least it’s hoppy. I can appreciate that.

This is one of Schmohz’ "high test" ales; 10% ABV. It’s a favorite for growler fills to take home. The only shortcoming I notice is that Hopcknocker is a bit sweet on the pallet. It’s not objectionable by any means. I certainly like it, but some people might not. I have yet to meet one so I guess that 10% alcohol content thingy must have magical persuasive powers. Oh! One more thing. The caricature of ’Ms. Hopknocker" is based on one of Schmohz’ brewtap tenders. Oh yes! We all know who it is and if you come to Schmohz at the right time of the week, you’ll have no trouble recognizing her.

I reach for a Hopknocker when the need for a very flavorful beer arises. Great on the tongue, good bouquet, nice appearance. Hopknocker is an IPA done right.

Pint from the tap. Aroma had a citrus tone. The color was as expected which appeared on the darker side. Obvious hop taste however no overbearing alcohol after taste. Citrus flavor on the palate and quite smooth going down. This one will sneak up on you if you are not careful. I would rather take a six home than sit and drink more than two.

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass. A dark translucent amber color. Darker than expected but appealing. Smell was typical of IIPA’s I have had before but this had more of a hop aroma. A deep carmel taste with hints of citrus but not overpowered by the hops. The 9.5% abv is not glaring. A more robust feel that was quite delightful. Worth a try.

Bottle from Tiffany’s in Kalamazoo. Pours very un-filtered (to the point of chunky) deep reddish/brown with 1-finger foamy beige head. Actually looks like a brownish raspberry jam with the floaters...not sure if that’s a good thing....actually, not sure if using the word ’floaters’ in my beer rating is a good thing. Nose is pretty weak...some faint fruity malt and rich dry hops. Flavor is full and WARM, hits the tongue and moth all over instantly with a biting punch of carbonation and alcohol. Hops are mellowed (from the one I got anyway) and malty/breadiness is taking over, but the abv is ever apparent and almost seems to screw things up a big. Very BIG feel from this one, definitely take it slow. Overall not as bad as I was expecting, but flavor wise much room for improvement.