Heady Topper

Cans and draught since the second-coming of Alchemist (post-flood), most recently on draught at the new brewery, 7/8/16. Never did manage to have it pre-flood. Seems like I was always missing it by a week or a few days. But I’m confident it’s as good as it always was. Tough to rate these sacred cows. What more could I possibly say here for its 1,482nd rating? I generally shy away from rating the big boys like this (haven’t really wanted to log a rate for Westy 12, for the same reason). But whatever. Of Focal, Crusher and this, that I had on draught at the new brewery, this was the weakest of the three. Not by a huge margin, but a noticeable one. A bit too much garlic and cat/sweat, moreso than in other batches I’ve had. Probably a pretty standard problem with beers of its nature, though I do think it still remains highly enjoyable. Lots of sweat, lemon rind, light pineapple and dank spiciness. Good, dry, crackery malts back it and the yeast is clean, providing no alcohol or flaws. Soft melon/watermelon as it warms, emerges, enjoyably so. Fantastically soft texture, with a dry nature overall, but still a malty-soft feel to it with mostly tight carbonation. Bitterness is certainly felt, but never becomes overbearing/fatiguing. Gains various levels of tropical fruit and citrus depending on how fresh it is. I do love the dryness and overall understated hop character. It’s always enjoyable seeing people that don’t understand it drink it for the first time and complain that they don’t think it’s very good and don’t get what the big deal is; since I’m a cynical asshole.

Fresh can drunk 6/1/23. Minimal haze. Small, white head, moderately-low retention. The nose is a mix of apricot, sweat, noticeable pine and light Mosaic spice with some light scallion/garlic character, but not offensive amounts. Crackery, light malts, no alcohol, no resin or booze in the nose. I guess this is more or less what it was. Understated, but still bitter hop notes, with a very soft, very dry body and texture, yet still amply malted. Yeah, I mean, the industry changes/catches up and now this is just another IPA, albeit a good one. But I'm fine keeping my rating as you've gotta have a sense of respect for how far ahead of it's time and groundbreaking this was when it came out. And the consistency still seems excellent. Still a well-made, enjoyable beer, and a nice change of pace, actually, given the massive amount of no bitterness IPAs out there.

My 100th US brewery. Can from a trade with sneakychi, many thanks! Pours hazy orange color with a white head. Aroma is tomato, resinous, grassy hops. Taste is juicy, resinous, grassy, yeasty. Smooth mouthfeel, a bit of a booze punch in the back. Very good, but completely different from what I expected. It’s much more simple, but still a bit delicate. Extremely drinkable though.

Où, Quand, Comment : Canette, dégustée le 8/16/2013.
Visuel : Couleur : dorée. Apparence : voilée.
Arôme : Houblon fruité (agrumes, abricots), citrique, légèrement floral, résineux et herbeux, malt sucré, miel.
Goût : Entrée de bouche : Goût amer de houblon fruité (agrumes, léger d’abricots, notes de fruits tropicaux), floral, citrique, moyennement résineux et aux notes épicées, présent toute la gorgée. Un support de malt doucement sucré et de miel est également présent avec des petites notes de biscuits.
En bouche : Corps : moyen. Effervescence : moyenne. Texture : moyennement huileuse et aux petites notes résineuses. Finale : longue et moyennement sèche, composée d’une amertume de houblon fruité, floral, moyennement citrique et résineux.

Can. Pours hazy amber with airy white head. Complex aroma of citrus, hops and fruit, with notes of malt and touches of yeast. Sweetish flavour of fruit and malt,mwith bitter notes of hops and grass and citric touches. Bitter, hoppy afteraste with touches of fruit and hints of grass. High carbonation. Well-balanced and very enjoyable. Good stuff.

Can at Farmhouse Tap & Grill, Burlington. Deliver 2 days ago and canned 5-6 ago according to bartender. Colour is deep golden with small white head. Aromas and flavours: Fruits, citrus, grape, hops and malts. Very nice burst of hops when opening can. Definitive DIPA? Massive drinkability.