Knee Deep Hoptologist

Knee Deep HOPTOLOGIST - DIPA (2012)

Brewed and Bottled by Knee Deep Brewing Co., in Lincoln, CA. USA.

Year Round Brew (New).

22 fl. oz. / $6.99 USD / 9% ABV

About: "An American Double India Pale Ale that packs a punch when it comes to hops. The aroma and flavors will give you citrus and pine with a slight malt sweetness that finishes dry. Malts: a blend of Canadian, German, Chile and United Kingdom malts / Hops: Cascade, Citra, Columbus, Magnum and Hersbrucker."

"Knee Deep Brewing Wins Gold With its Hoptologist DIPA at the 12^th Annual Bistro Double IPA Festival! The kickoff for San Francisco Beer Week this year was the 12^th Annual Double IPA Festival, held at The Bistro in Hayward, CA on February 11^th 2012.  There were 43 beers in the competition, with entrants coming from up and down the West Coast and as far away as Delaware and Maine.  A panel of professional judges conducted blind tastings and after multiple elimination rounds the results were:

1^st – Hoptologist DIPA – Knee Deep Brewing Company

2^nd – Pliny the Elder – Russian River Brewing

3^rd – Ruination – Stone Brewing

We are obviously pleased that a panel of independent judges thought so highly of Hoptologist.  From the time we first introduced this beer just a few months ago the demand has been strong and consequently we have decided to make Hoptologist available year round. We absolutely appreciate the interest in our beers and will make every effort to continue brewing fine craft beers.  Stay tuned for more outstanding brews being released later this year."

Thoughts: Hoptologist poured a golden amber orange hue with a slightly off-white head (light orange in the shadows, stark white in the light), full of  varying sized bubbles. The brew is a little hazy... It's not cloudy, nor murky, but rather looks pretty clean and it's just the slightest bit speckly. The head lasted for a good two and a half minutes and aesthetically speaking, it looks delectable.

The scent is incredibly fresh! Peppery and zesty hops burst like fireworks. Citrus and pine are apparent, of course... but this one is on edge, and there's something strange about it too. Some Dr. Mindbender, Cobra-Juice type-thing is going on. It's got a stimulating brain affect. This must be some sweet poison. Dare I indulge into the Cool... aid?

It tastes Sinister! There's a really spicy hop tone to it. It's very unique tasting actually. I don't believe I've had anything like this before. Hard to put my finger on but it's got that special something that takes it over the top taste-wise... like the perfect mix of a resiny undertow, combined with some crackling tropical type fruit notes that add to it and make it a little more interesting than the others. Its manifestation is frenzied, in all the right ways. There's a slight alcohol tinge right before the swallow, but it fades instantly into a slightly bitter, but still very sweet lingering flavor. It doesn't get too bitter or sweet, but it's extremely well balanced... and that little pop of heat with each gulp is just damn excellent!

Mouth feel is tingly. I was just thinking that a good alternative name for this beer would be "The Tingler!"

Looking at that crazy motherfucker on this label and feeling the way that this brew creeps inside my face, I wonder if this batch was cooked up in a beaker in some mad laboratory. I'd say this is truly a brew for crazy doctors and drunken wizards. 

Even though this win on Knee Deep's part is relatively new news, beer beyotches online have gone into some little pansy-war-mode between this one and Pliny. Once the "why the hell did this beat Pliny" fanboy votes start pouring in, the "Fuck Pliny, you've been dethroned" gremlins came out of the basement. M-E-H-! I enjoyed them both the same. Pliny is awesomeness, and Hoptologist is awesomeness with a twist.