Lagunitas Hop Stoopid

As a “hop head” how could I pass up a beer with 102 IBU’s?  The answer is of course, I can’t.  So, when I saw Lagunitas Brewing Company’s Hop Stoopid in the store I was drawn to it and forced to buy it. I figured a beer like this would go great with some beer butt chicken off of the Big Green Egg.  How does it measure up?  Do all those hops hurt, or help, the beer.  Let’s find out:

Wow, I’m getting spoiled.  My last review was of an excellent Stout from Mikkeller and then I have this excellent IPA from Lagunitas.  Hop Stoopid is a fantastic beer.  I think it is the best IPA I have had to date.  The beer is just completely balanced in all aspects.

ABV 7.7%

Appearance: A nice golden/light caramel color greets you when you pour the beer into the glass.  The beer is clear and crisp looking with a nice white semi-creamy head that sticks around and gives good lacing.

Smell: Hops, hops, and more hops.  It is not a bitter, but more of a pine forest on an early morning walk, smell.  There is a good amount of malt sweetness as well as citrus notes.

Taste: The taste is a lot like the smell and is very well balanced.  It is definitely hop forward but there is a good amount of floral and citrus notes that keeps the taste from being nothing but hops.  There is some bitterness but it is not overwhelming at all.

Drinkability: For a beer with 7.7% ABV Hop Stoopid drinks pretty darn easily.  The body is medium and the carbonation is right on target.  there is a bit of bitterness on the aftertaste but nothing bad at all.

Here’s how I scored the beer:

1.  Appearance- 9 points (out of 10)
2. Smell- 9 points (out of 10)
3. Taste- 18 points (out of 20)
4. Drinkability- 8 points (out of 10)

Total 44 (out of 50) Points -4 Mugs