Mike's Beer of the Week

Beer Information

Brewery: The Alchemist Pub and Brewery

Beer Name: Heady Topper

Beer Style: Double IPA

Abv.: 8.0%

Serving Glassware: The can itself, tulip, snifter

Serving Temp.: 50-55 deg. F.

Packaging: 4-pk 16oz cans

Price: ~$13

Availability: Year round (only at brewery)

Pairings: Vermont Cabot 'Seriously Sharp' Cheddar Cheese

Finally, a picture that I took.

Mike's Ratings (1-5)

Overall Grade/Rate: A+/4.97

Appearance: 4.5

Aroma: 5

Taste: 5

Mouthfeel: 5

Drinkability: 5

BeerAdvocate Avg. Rate: A+/4.58

Mike's Description

Thanks to Mallory for going to the alchemist cannery with me and enjoying this amazing beer! Also, good luck to everyone at the Alchemist brewpub, what happened was horrible and I hope for a fast and complete recovery.

Appearance - Light brown 'apple cider' appearance with a half-inch of head that lasts almost throughout the session. Wisps of white lace that dance around my new alchemist glass. Looks like it will pack a punch. Graphics and text on the can are unique as well...notably the incentive to be green..."Don't be a D-bag. Recycle this can!".

Aroma - Bursts of hoppy goodness...I'm not sure which hops John Kimmich uses, but it seems as though a little bit of everything is in here. Some pine is there along with fruity esters as well. It might be the fact that it looks like apple cider, but I also pick up some cinnamon.

Taste - As expected, hops...this must be where hops go to heaven. Not overwhelming...well it's overwhelming (in a good way), but a unique hop/malt balance. Some fruit character is here as well such as orange peel and maybe some lemon zest. There is also a complex spice presence involving ginger, cinnamon, and...who knows?

Mouthfeel - Pretty much all you could ask for in a DIPA - lingering hops of all shapes, names, sizes, genders, races, and sexual orientations.

Drinkability - This is the best DIPA I've ever had. It is all that anyone could want this style to deliver. The statement on the can sums this beer up perfectly..."Not intended to be the biggest or most bitter. It is meant to give you wave after wave of hoppy goodness on your palate". I like this beer better than Pliny the Elder, but that might be because I had this beer fresh from the brewery whereas I had Pliny a couple of months after it was bottled.