Name: Heady Topper
Brewer: The Alchemist
Style: Specialty IPA: New England IPA
ABV: 8%
Review Year: 2021
Heady Topper is the flagship “Double IPA” of The Alchemist. First brewed in 2003, this iconic beer features a proprietary blend of six hops, each imparting its own unique flavor and aroma.
STYLE GUIDELINES
This beer is being evaluated as a Specialty IPA: New England IPA (21B) in the context of the provisional guidelines of the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) for the said beer style. The most current version of the guidelines can be found on the BJCP website.
TASTING NOTES
First drank from the can as suggested by the brewer. A second specimen was poured into a glass for photos, aroma, and appearance. Slightly hazy pale gold; thick off-white head. Fairly high fruity impressions of ripe mango, grapefruit, peach dominated the aroma profile with secondary resinous and neutral malty aromas. Medium-bodied; moderate carbonation. Like the aroma, the flavor showcased ripe fruity flavors (mainly mango, peach, and grapefruit) at moderately high intensities but was crucially backed by a distinct bready malt backbone. Hints of spicy and resinous “dankness” in the background. Bitterness and sweetness were perceived to be at a notch below medium. Heady Topper finished with lingering flavors of bready malts, bitterness, and pine.
THE VERDICT
Beer styles evolve through time and the style guidelines can be likened to snapshots taken at some point in time. First brewed 18 years ago, Heady Topper is believed to be the beer that paved the way to countless interpretations of the New England IPA (or Hazy IPA) that we enjoy today. Just by catching a whiff and taking a sip, this beer gave us immediately a glimpse of how the hoppy and bitter American IPA evolved into something hazier, juicier, and less bitter.
The harmony between hops and malts is one of the strong points of this beer; this was evident in both aroma and flavor. The hops are at the forefront given that this is an IPA, but the perceived malt characteristics are, likewise, present to give this beer a solid backbone.
All in all, we think Head Topper is a classic example of the style that has now gained countless interpretations globally.
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Recommended Reading:
14 Things You Need to Know About Heady Topper (Vinepair)
