Last weekend I stopped at the liquor store and saw a six-pack of an IPA I hadn’t seen before. Thinking that any company willing to put “devil” in the name of their beer meant that it was going to be a wild ride on the hop side. While the six-pack was an astounding ~$10.50, I was excited to try the beer after judging a book by its cover and noticing that Victory Brewing Company is located in PA.
I brought the beer home and wasted no time in cracking one open. Described on their site as, “a roller coaster ride of flavor, coasting to a smooth finish that satisfies fully,” this beer was a little less of a roller coaster ride and more of a “coasting smooth finish.” While one person has claimed that Minnesotans have an ‘over-hopped’ palate (here’s my review of 90 Schilling by Odell), I have higher expectations of an IPA named “HopDevil” than what actually came through on this one.
Yeah, it had some bitter notes but it certainly wasn’t as hoppy as I would have liked. While I shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, I was kinda disappointed in this one as a “HopDevil”. If anything this was more like a “HopAngel” instead. Yeah, it was drinkable and I wouldn’t ever turn it down if it were offered to me again but I certainly wouldn’t shell out nearly $11 (before tax) to drink it again.
Someone I knew in HS who I follow on Facebook recently visited the brewery and noted that they thoroughly enjoy Victory’s Ranch R Double IPA. While it doesn’t appear to be available anywhere outside the brewery, at least at this time, I suppose I’d give it a whirl if I came across it.
How about you? Have you tried any of Victory Brewing’s offerings including their HopDevil IPA? If so what did you think about it? Do you agree with the linked blog article above which talks about Minnesota’s apparent love affair with hops and how it may have gone a little too far? Whatever you have to say about this one go ahead and comment on as I’d love to hear your thoughts.
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April 20th, 2012 at 7:47 am
Long time listener . . . first time caller.
Thanks again Bill for throwing yourself on another grenade. I’ll continue to stock the beer fridge with Summit and Surly until something else jumps up and bites me.
April 20th, 2012 at 8:14 am
I am surprised you felt that you needed to use a corkscrew to open up a bottle of beer.
I have not had this beer, though I am not sure why I would choose to try an unknown beer from Pennsylvania at that high of a price. Everyone knows that Pennsylvania water cannot make beer up to the standards of Minnesota, Colorado, Michigan, Oregon and Washington. Those are the only states that truly have the ability to make a quality craft beer. Even California is second tier in this category (and yes, I am talking to you Stone Brewery).
April 20th, 2012 at 9:01 am
I don’t know if individual Minnesotans have an overhopped palate, but I know that the bars I go to around here do. I went to one last week, where I have been before, and out of thirty or so tap beers, only four weren’t hop-forward. Thankfully they had John Henry 3 Licker or I would have a sad panda. Even the waitress remarked at the obscene imbalance of their beer list. I don’t know if they’re supplying demand or trying to drive it, but I have a hard time finding a malty beer that suits my taste with the profusion of hoppy beers out there.
April 20th, 2012 at 9:09 am
World order has been restored.
Claire and I are talking beer on the same thread.
Hi Claire!
April 20th, 2012 at 9:14 am
I’ve never heard of this particular brewery, so I can’t comment on the beer. I had no idea, though, that IPAs and other hopped-up beers are more popular in Minnesota than they are in other states. My own tastes run towards the malty and darker side, though last night I did enjoy a pint of Fat Tire Amber with my dinner in Uptown. (The other options, IIRC, were Bud/Miller/Coors, Leinie Honey, perhaps a summit EPA, and Fat Tire IPA. There was no stout or porter available.)
April 20th, 2012 at 9:19 am
J,
Fat Tire isn’t an IPA. Are you talking about their Ranger IPA?
April 20th, 2012 at 9:46 am
Perhaps. I just remember it was from the same company that makes Fat Tire. I suspect that you’re right.
April 20th, 2012 at 9:49 am
lefty, don’t be jealous of my corkscrew.
April 20th, 2012 at 11:04 am
Bill,
If that reference is indeed phallic, I am not sure you want to be comparing your self to something that has the girth of a 1/8 ” drill bit, but maybe that is something you strive for?
April 20th, 2012 at 11:07 am
It wasn’t. I’m not a sick fuck like you.
April 20th, 2012 at 11:19 am
I have had this beer before go figure, but it was nothing to write home about. I did buy a case or more of it since it was $4.99/6 from the liquor store that closed here in Rosemount awhile back.
I love my hops and high IBU’s. I grow my own hops as well for homebrewing (Cascade and Mt. Hood). I really want to try some hop candy that I saw recently (B-Hoppy Candy).
It’s the weekend and I need a little relaxation after spending the past 15 days in the NICU so I am going to treat myself to a Voodoo Doughnut Bacon Maple Ale from Rogue on Saturday while watching some hockey.
Cheers!
April 20th, 2012 at 11:21 am
I choose not to attempt to respond to that excellent comeback.
April 20th, 2012 at 11:21 am
Also, if you enjoy Surly Furious like myself and want to try another beer that has the same flavor profile but less bitterness then try a Lagunitas Imperial Red Ale a beer that I would definitely get again but is hard to find. Bought mine at Four Firkins.
April 20th, 2012 at 1:45 pm
I’m with you, Claire and J. I’m not a fan of hoppy beers, but I do like craft brews, so it can be frustrating when it seems like it’s all about the IBUs.
April 20th, 2012 at 3:20 pm
I wonder where you guys are going that all they have is hoppy beers on tap? Funny because I see it the opposite as it is tough to find a good IPA or Surly on tap at most places and I need to fall back to Summit EPA.
April 20th, 2012 at 3:25 pm
Hops are the devil! Well, too much hops, anyhow! As a hops-hater, I haven’t cared much for the Victory beers I’ve tried. My husband did like the Hop Wallop.
Interesting that the phallic reference would come up, because I always wonder if the whole hops thing is a little bit of the proverbial “pissing contest”? But, then again, as Bill once helpfully pointed out, I do have fruit slices in my beer, on occassion, so maybe I’m not one to weigh in on the subject! ; )
April 20th, 2012 at 4:13 pm
You remind me of something else I’ve wondered about, Alissa — why these hoppy beers always have such goofily aggressive, in-your-face names, like (not real names) Stone Triple Mean Bastard Ale, or Surly Nutpunch, or whatever.
April 20th, 2012 at 4:17 pm
Hi lefty!
Come to downtown/Nordeast, link. They’re all over the place up here. Though Grumpy’s seems to have the most balanced bar that I’ve been to up here, so I tend to frequent them now.
And I work above Aster’s and Pracna’s, and they tend to be pretty balanced, though Aster’s is a bit heavier on the hops lately.
April 20th, 2012 at 8:16 pm
So is an IPA generally more hoppy than an EPA?
April 20th, 2012 at 8:21 pm
I’m easing into this craft beer thing. Spent the day in Wisconsin, had an Unforgiven Amber Ale at lunch, I liked it. So, as long as I was in Sconnie I picked up an assortment of New Glarus brews. I’ve had their Spotted Cow and liked it. So, has anyone had their: Moon Man, Two Women, IPA, Road Slush, Honey Bock, or Fat Squirrel?
April 20th, 2012 at 8:38 pm
Nope, but at Gichee Gumee Beerfest last weekend, I did try and drink as much of their keg of Raspberry Tart as possible. I now have a bomber sitting in my house. I’ve heard Fat Squirre,,l is good. I’m currently in love with Central Waters Brewing and their Peruvian Morning and bourbon barrel aged barleywine.
April 20th, 2012 at 8:43 pm
J
The answer is yes, though there is not really an “EPA” category per se. Summit uses that term and probably some others but it is just a Pale Ale like you will see from many craft breweries.
I also thing the over hopping thing started in IPA products in the last 5 years as a lot of IPAs that have been around for awhile are mostly medium hopped. While it may or may not be a fad, I am fine with it. Yum.
April 20th, 2012 at 9:04 pm
Claire- I don’t get out much especially north of the river hence is why I asked as around here is a totally different story it seems.
C&V I have had pretty much most of the New Glarus line as I was in Wisconsin today so I picked up a case of Hop Hearty IPA. The ones that I like the most would be the Hop Hearty and Moon Man. Their wheats are ok if you are into that style. Naked, Two-Women and Fat Squirrel are decent as well. Whenever I am in Wisconsin now instead of New Glarus i seek out Oskar Blue’s Dale’s Pale Ale and one I have yet to try Deviant Dale’s (their new IPA).
Lefty, I agree there are plenty of hop heads out there. I prefer the closer the beer is to grapefruit juice the more I will enjoy it. Not a huge fan of the Double IPA’s though as I prefer more IBU’s over ABV.
April 20th, 2012 at 9:40 pm
Yummm, Hops! Especially the New Belgium Ranger Pale Ale. That is my fave! We also really enjoyed the Lagunitas Waldo Imperial IPA at Valley Tap Room today. Very floral and hoppy.
April 22nd, 2012 at 2:39 pm
I like hops, but i prefer beer, much of the overhopped crafted here, including the iconic Furious , to my taste is hop juice, not beer. I had read that article on the prevalence of hoppiness in our craft beers which was attributed to the entry of Summit EPA as the first craft beer in our market. We lived in Oregon from 1976-1987, the earliest craft brewing was starting there in the early 80′s. The main style was EPA or English Bitter and stouts, and there was a time that the pale lager Henry Weinhard was quite a phenomenon as well, in fact I think that their commercialization of that beer back then may have been the start of the craft brewing popularization in the USA. So the early craft beers in Oregon and Washington were not overly hoppy… that came along later, and maybe even Sam Adams Boston Ale may have been one of the brands that popularized it as for a commercial brewer it was more hop forward than others at the time. Maybe someone here knows more about this and can say when the uber-hoppy trend started?
IPA is supposed to be more hoppy than EPA. If I am right the IPA (India Pale Ale)comes from the British Empire and the need to put more hops in the beer to keep it fresh in transit to India? I would agree with Lefty that IPA’s were never overhopped traditionally.
C+V: the Rush River Unforgiven is one of my faves. I have tried almost all the New Glarus beers as our daughter lives in Madison and brings gifts or we pick some up to and from (we like to stop in Mauston at the Carr Valley Cheese store and the gas station next door has a good beer selection)… I like Two Women and Fat Squirrel the best. Two Women is a lager with a bit more hoppiness than usual, its refreshing and well balanced. , the Fat Squirrel is a brown ale.
My favorite hoppy local brew is Harriett’s Sweet Child of the Vine.
Dont take me for too much of a hop whiner … we are living in a renaissance of beer and are lucky for it.
April 22nd, 2012 at 4:11 pm
The thing is, I don’t normally mind bitter beverages. I like grapefruit juice, I always take my coffee black (and strong), and I like G&Ts. But I don’t like bitterness in my beer. I think it’s great that others who do have that option, though.
April 22nd, 2012 at 9:19 pm
Moon Man and Fat Squirrel are both quite good.
Oskar blue’s is another brewery that skipped over MN. It’s weird how that happens. They make a good scotch ale.
I like Unforgiven Amber. We vacationed in Red Wing last year and it was available on tap everywhere. I was grateful to have that option
I am pretty sure I had Hop Devil at some point. Perhaps as part of a flight at Arcadia. I don’t remember it being anything special.
April 23rd, 2012 at 10:45 am
A list of Minnesota breweries here:
http://mnbeer.com/breweries/
April 23rd, 2012 at 4:05 pm
Correction…. i said Harriet Brewing Sweet child of the Vine…. should be Fulton Brewing. Apologies.
June 13th, 2012 at 5:30 pm
I am a hoppy beer lover from no hoppy beer country. I can’t say that I have drunken as many hoppy beer as you have, because I am staying in the small city in west Texas. However, I am always claiming that I like a hoppy beer. So, I am very pleased and admire when you said that Minesotan had “over-hopped” pallette. I am a long time wine lover and I have been proud that I have a “over-tannin’ pallette in the same way. Anyhow, back to this beer, I really liked this beer when I tasted this first time. It is not because it is hoppy but it is balanced. As you said, it is not very oviously hoppy, but it has complicate and rich flavour with adequate hoppiness. I have tasted “Golden monkey” from the Victory brewery. It was interesting, but I can’t recommend it to anyone. I think that the Victory company would like to try too many things for this beer. Too much is usually not better than less. Anyhow, I apprecciate your review and I like the way you review beer. Have you tried the Stone reuination IPA? It is one of the IPA which I prefer. I hope that I can have a chance to appreciate a Minesotan beer.
Best regards