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12oz Bottle

9%
111 IBU

Got this as an extra in a recent trade with Hoppymeal, thanks a bunch Derek! Hop Rocket enters my pint glass a burnished copper and appears slightly hazy from the bottle conditioning. A clean white two finger creamy head grew on the pour and eventually fell to a solid crown leaving lines of lacing on its way down.

I was teetering between a 4-4.5 on the smell but after repeated inhaling I have to go with the higher rating. There's a strong caramel maltiness that makes up a respectable canvas for the showcase that is hoppiness. The hops bring an enjoyable candy like apricot sweetness that meets up with a big resinous quality. I really dig IIPAs that have this kind of hop combo.

The flavor follows suit. There's a big hoppiness throughout but enough caramel maltiness to keep things from running wild. Surprisingly there's not a lot of bitterness like I was expecting from the aroma. Like I said earlier this is the hop combo I really appreciate in IPAs or IIPAs.

Arcadia did a great job with the mouthfeel of this beer. There's a medium body that's incredibly silky. There isn't a hint of stickiness like I find in so many other examples.

This is a dangerous drinker to be sure. Weighing in at 9% and without a trace of alcohol you could get in trouble with this beer. It drinks more like an IPA than an IIPA.

This is my favorite from Arcadia so far. There's a surprisingly drinkable IIPA with a great hop presence. I noticed this is their 11th anniversary brewing, I hope it's made into a year round offering because I know I'd pick it up. Thanks Derek!

Reviewed: 2/10/08

Served In: Pint Glass

A - Pours a vibrant orange colored body with a definite chill haze to it. Head is tan and made up of tight bubbles. Good retention.

S - Great citrusy hop nose here with grapefruit and a bit of pineapple. Little bit of pine sap in the back. Some malty sweetness is attempted to even out the hops.

T - Whoa hops. Bit citrusy rush of hoppiness that doesn't let up. Sappy pine notes mix in. Malty sweetness is sort of helping this along, but definitely is stepping aside to the massive hop rushes. Bitterness enters the picture and lasts all the way through to the finish.

M - Medium bodied, but with sticky, sappy hop oils. Carbonation is a touch low.

Overall - This is very much a hop tongue bruiser. Not really balanced, but seems ok to me, an admitted hop head. Recommended.

Price: $3.29 Served In: Tulip