Drake’s Brewing Company Hopocalypse (365 Day 150)

By scot in 365 Days of American Craft Beer on Saturday, April 30th, 2011

Drake's Hopocalypse

I don’t know if you guys are getting tired of reading about my California beers, I know I am not getting tired of tasting and reviewing them. This has really helped to keep me on a string of really good beers in which I only have one dilemma: how to get these beers again.

Hopocalypse by Drake’s Brewing Company is the latest beer from California with this one quite easily being the best of the bunch to this point.

Hopocalypse is an American Imperial IPA that is, of course, hop forward with huge helpings of pine and citrus hops on the nose. The malt backbone only ekes out a small territory on the nose and mouth. Citrus hops, most notably grapefruit, come in the finish of the taste and linger around for a bit. Pine and orange start in the middle and transition into the aforementioned bitter, grapefruit finish.

The aroma and taste are about as perfect as you can get, especially if you like big, slobbery West Coast IPAs. This one delivers perfectly with the grapefruit bitters, which lingers, holding it back from being over the top drinkable. The high alcohol can sneak up on you as it did me because it is so well hidden. Outstanding.

Next up: a recap of Dark Lord Day. Enjoy!

Aroma: 10, Taste: 10, Look: 9, Drinkability: 9, Overall: 9.5

Useless Fact: Before King George IV of England ordered a set of boots made to fit each of his feet, shoes were designed to be worn on either foot.