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Taste:
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Description:
Hoptimum is a hurricane of whole-cone hop flavor. Hopped, dry hopped and torpedoed for incredible hop flavor and complexity, Hoptimum is the pinnacle of whole-cone hoppiness and the biggest Imperial IPA we have ever produced. It features resinous hop varieties: Magnum, Chinook, Simcoe and a new experimental hop variety exclusive to Sierra Nevada. With intense hop flavors and aromas of grapefruit rind, pine, herbs and tropical fruit, Hoptimum is an aggressive drinking experience. Originally created as part of our Beer Camp program, Hoptimum throws down the gauntlet to all other IPAs. (Description provided by company)
Brewer:
Beer Style:
ABV:
10.40% ABV
Availability Frequency:
Rotating
Containers Available:
bottle
Locations Where Available:
nationwide
Store/Serve Temperature:
close to 60 degrees F
Comments
More Bitterness than Hop Flavor
Pours a golden amber with a full finger head that quickly dissipates to a thin film with nice lacing.
A hoppy nose, but a little more subdued than I expected from a beer called Hoptimum. A little citrus, pine, and grassy aromas, as well as a nice biscuit malty backbone.
Hop flavor is stronger in the taste than in the aroma. But, it's not quite strong enough to balance out the bitterness, which is definitely much more aggressive. The front is a nice balance of piney and citrus and a caramel maltiness, but the hop bitterness comes out strong in the finish, with a long and lingering bitterness, although only a bit of alcohol is noticeable. A full body for such a relatively light-colored beer.
While I was hoping this would be a good Imperial IPA for hop heads, this beer seems to be geared more to lovers of bitterness over hop flavor. There are some nice hop aromas and flavors, but the bitterness seems too high for the level of hop flavor.