Hoppy Otter IPA - Otter Brewery Ltd

Not Rated.
Hoppy Otter IPAHoppy Otter IPA

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45 Ratings

(view ratings)
Ratings: 45
Reviews: 41
rAvg: 3.7
pDev: 14.86%
Wants: 1
Gots: 0 | FT: 0
Brewed by:
Otter Brewery Ltd visit their website
United Kingdom (England)

Style | ABV
English India Pale Ale (IPA) |  6.80% ABV

Availability: Year-round

Notes/Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.

(Beer added by: Jason on 11-27-2007)
Beer: Ratings & Reviews
Ratings: 45 | Reviews: 41 | Display Reviews Only:
Reviews by CharlieMopps:
Photo of CharlieMopps
4.68/5  rDev +26.5%

A thin layer of soapy bubbles form on top of this hazy, orange and copper-colored beer. Floral hop notes take over the nose, which intertwine with the aroma of sweet, bready malt that displays a soft hint of caramel. The smell alone is absolutely delicious, and if the taste is anything like that, I'd say we've got a winner.

The label mentions that the beer employs "five of the US Pacific Northwest's most citrus-flavored, aromatic whole cone hops" in addition to English floor malts, implying that this is a hybrid-style India Pale Ale. Although, I'll say that I'm not getting much of the citrusy flavors here, and I love that. Instead, there is a fruity, floral hop presence that doesn't slay the palate with bitterness, and it lets the introduction and middle take on a juicy character.

The balance of this one cannot be understated. At just the right moment, the hops enter the picture toward the finish to balance out the sweetness of the malt up front, and never overpower. While I can taste a muted citrus note, it's way in the background, and to me that's superb. It's almost like a wet-hop harvest beer: keep the aromatics and the floral character, but use minimal bitterness for balance. Also, the carbonation doesn't get in the way, adding an appropriate amount of bubbles but letting the smooth texture take precedence.

As the beer finishes, it washes out cleanly, leaving a calm, delicious aftertaste that fades evenly. I doubt hop-heads would be a huge fan of this beer, but if you're anything like me, you'll love the aforementioned qualities it possesses.

More User Reviews:
Photo of oberon
3.53/5  rDev -4.6%

Well let me start by sayin that yes this beer does use some American hop varieties sparingly might I add,but this is not an American IPA in any since.Poured into a standard pint glass a dull light to medium golden with a bit of burnt orange tint,no head to speak of that is somewhat typical of the English style.Nice blend of aromas,caramel and biscuit mixed with light citric and leafy hop notes.Thinner near watery mouthfeel was a little annoying but the flavors were decent,some green apple and caramel/biscuit notes up front with a leafy finish.Its decent but if your palate is for full on big hops this isnt for you,for what it is its decent.

Photo of BeerAdvocate
4.13/5  rDev +11.6%

From BeerAdvocate Magazine Volume II, Issue I:

We pose this question to all of the naysayers that think hoppy beer is a distant acquired taste. Why is the infatuation with the boldness of American hops at an almost infectious level of popularity within the craft beer world outside of the US? This ale also contains wheat, oats, rye and spelt aside from the traditional ingredients.

Glowing amber hue with a mild chill haze, healthy-looking froth from a medium pour that leave a semi-creamy tiny bubbled lace in its wake. Oily hop aroma with thick wafts of citrus oil and wild flowers, a hint of toffee and semi-spicy dough malt in the nose. High level of smoothness in a creamy medium body. Graininess shows the spectrum of barley, wheat, oats, rye and spelt from the start, with a fresh cut grass to a spicy breadiness. The house yeast throws its tone in soon after with a mild buttery and nutty note. Then the hops lay down their oily bitterness and flavor though still keeping the door open to the grain.

By far one of the most intriguing and eye-opening ales that we have tasted from England in a long time. An amazing aroma with an intricate palate to make it even more interesting.

Photo of Jason
4.25/5  rDev +14.9%

Photo of magictrokini
3.9/5  rDev +5.4%

How can I pass an IPA with this name and label up? Poured hazy orange-gold with a frothy white head. Thick lacing. Beautiful pine and orange nose. More orange/orange peel than grapefruit. It doesn't "pop" like other IPA's and is kind of dusty. The taste makes up for it. Big citrus bite, less resin, with the rye bitterness that others have pointed out. Kind of gives it a roasted hop feel. The citrus gives way to an herbal hop bite that is kind of sweet. Creamy mouthfeel lends to its drinkability. Nice surprise.

Photo of NJpadreFan
3.75/5  rDev +1.4%

Hoppy Otter IPA

A- Golden copper with a thick foamy head. Messy lacing, but you got to give it a vigorous pour.
S- Light crisp floral/ pine hops. Also a light touch of caramel malt.
T- A touch of sweet caramel malt with a nice balance of pine hops.
M- Slighty watered down up front but a crisp dry flavor bursts through in the end. No alc. detected in this 1 with it sitting at 6.8%.

Overall- Crisp and clean with most of the flavor in the backend. A good session beer. This would be a good superbowl beer.

Photo of NeroFiddled
4.1/5  rDev +10.8%

Hoppy Otter is a rich, full-flavored IPA. Its slightly hazy copper-colored body rests gently beneath a short but creamy head of off-white. The retention is good, and the head holds well and leaves some very nice lace about the glass.

In traditional English fashion, it's gently carbonated and quite smooth across the palate. And, as IPA's should be, it offers a medium-full body along with its additional maltiness and strength.

What sets it apart though, are the hops. They're distincly American; citrusy and piney. Cascades are obvious, as are Chinook. Centennial may be present as well, and who knows what else. Perhaps some Amarillo even! But there's also a bit of leafy character that suggests Fuggles, and I wonder if there's not an American/English hop blend at play.

Then there's the richness of the malt that seems to indicate Maris Otter, thus marrying the English and American styles into one very interesting ale. It's rich, grainy, and mildly sweetish with a straw-like edge. It sticks in the mouth.

There's also a bit of yeasty fruitiness that's quite nice, invoking apples and pears, and perhaps a hint of red berries as well as a subtle underlying note of buttery nuttiness in the background (or that might actually be the yeast itself as it is at least a touch unfiltered).

The bitterness is also solidly impressive, and this is much more of an IPA than you'd have found coming out of England in the mid 1980's when American IPA's were just starting to emerge on the west coast. It's bracing, and enough to stand up to the richness of the malt, leading to a remarkably long lingering dry finish that teeters between notes of citrusy, grassy and leafy hops and grainy, almost-nutty malts.

The Hoppy Otter is quite charming, tasty, and drinkable! It's very nicely done, well-balanced and rounded! Hard to resist even! - I tip my hat to the brewer! It's certainly worth trying, and probably worth seeking out. But get it now because who knows what next year's hop supply might bring.

Photo of jpalarchio
2.88/5  rDev -22.2%

With a name like "Hoppy Otter", I was hoping (maybe even hopping?) for a nice hoppy taste.

This beer seemed to have more of a citrus and earth-like taste than a bold hoppy taste. The hop flavor was very mellow; not really evident at the nose and just slowly sneaks in after swallow.

It's drinkable, although probably not the taste I expect from an IPA.

Photo of puboflyons
3.95/5  rDev +6.8%

From the 1 pt. 0.9 fl. oz bottle with no expiration date or lot code markings available. Sampled on July 8, 2009. This pours an amber-copper tone with little to no head although it maintains a beige ring around the edge of the glass. IPA's usually have that distinctive hoppy aroma but this one carries an aroma of sweet malts and barley. The taste has the characteristics of an ESB rather than an IPA with a leading flavor of sweet malts followed by a dry hoppy finish. In a way I found it ironic that a British brewer tried to emulate an American IPA. It is an alright brew.

Photo of beerthulhu
4/5  rDev +8.1%

A: Poured a clear, ruby-orange color with a thin, creamy off white head that quickly dissipated. There was a good amount of visible carbonation.

S: On the nose was a very citrusy and piney hop aroma, that was quite unusual for a british pale using American west coast hops.

T: The initial flavor was very dry and hoppy, with a big boutique of dry floral notes and pine hitting you right up front from the start. The hop bitterness faded rather quickly. The palate was resinous with some light caramel, dry sharp pine bitterness. There was a nice floral hop fade and warming alcohol presence in the finish.

M: moderate mouthful.

D: Overall a very hoppy, floral English ipa with strong American west coast hopping and influence.

Photo of beerdrifter
4.22/5  rDev +14.1%

Picked this up at the biggest beer store in the UK, Beers of Europe Ltd. Clear copper pour with very little carbonation. An agressive pour yielded only a half finger head with minimal retention but decent lacing. Very fruity nose with a sweet caramel maltiness and lots of fresh hops, hints of dark fruit and a touch of rye bread. Very surprising bold, hoppy flavor for a British IPA. Bitter orange peel and resiny hops are nicely balanced with toasty caramel malt and a hint of black cherries, rye and wood. A subtle spiciness coupled with a smooth bitterness in the mouthfeel makes this a very drinkable IPA. Closest thing to an American style IPA that I've had from the UK.

Photo of oconman
3.15/5  rDev -14.9%

Could the traveling have gotten to this one? Because all the elements are there for me to enjoy it, I'm just not.

Nice fragrant hops in the nose and then ...butterscotch and band-aids

Full mouthfeel, hop bite on the tongue and then...medicinal then... finally an acrid farewell.

Photo of dsa7783
4.38/5  rDev +18.4%

1 Pint, .09 fl oz bottle purchased from Buy Rite on Oak Tree in South Plainfield...
An aggressive pour yielded a ruby-red, mahogany-brown colored hue with a minimal foamy head that soon dissipated, leaving a fair amount of lacing around the edge of the glass...
Aroma was a spicy-sweet combination of hops, slight malts, cinnamon, caramel, and slight vanilla...
Taste strongly complemented the flavor, which was bursting with hops that completely overshadowed any malts present, with a nice suggestion of vanilla, graperfuit, caramel, fresh florals, earthy amber, and rye...
Creamy, rich, thick mouthfeel bursting with a bittersweet, unique flavor that was really enticing...
Great drinkability due to the hardly noticeable alcohol percentage and rich combination of flavors...
Really good stuff... Recommended...

Photo of jwc215
3.93/5  rDev +6.2%

Pours copperish amber with a thin off-white head that soon becomes a very thin, lasting cover. Some trailing lace sticks.

The smell is of citrus and pine with earthy and woody notes and a caramel backing.

The taste of sweet caramel provides a sturdy malt backbone to the earthy, citric, piney hop bitterness. There is a fleeting touch of alcohol. Finishes bittersweet.


An interesting one - an English malt, yeast strain and body with American hops(and abv level appropriate for style). Well balanced, though hops shine through. Well-done overall.

Photo of hustlesworth
4.85/5  rDev +31.1%

the english brewing an american ipa? how cheeky.

A- beautiful reddish orange honey amber with a consistant creamy beige head and lots of drippy aqueduct lace.

S- very nice aroma of tangerine, pineapple and strawberry, buttery caramel, toasted grains, earthy woodsy old barn, sweet pipe tobacco, floral herb blossoms, and a well balanced mellow bitterness that totally compliments the sublime maltiness. it is inviting and invigorating.

T- west coast flavor of tangerine and small grapefruit, bitter orange, caramel, toasted barley, diacetyl, and yeasty esters of light berry and some slight pine. toasted multi-grain bread is not surprising considering the bill of barley, oat, and two wheats. hop flavor is mild and smooth and full of character and appreciated complexity. finish is lightly zesty and bursting with citrus hop flavor and a noble type clean bitterness, working perfectly in conjunction with the north american hop flavor. malt graininess also lingers on the palate for a long while with the fruity almost belgian floral yeast flavor and actually outlast the hops. and when i burp it's all strawberry and raspberry, baby. american attempts at an english ipa have never tasted this good to me.

MF- rich and smooth, damn near full bodied, with medium low carbonation and proper serving temp, i can close my eyes and put myself in an english pub ordering another pint but alas i'm here in ohio where i probably won't be able to find another one cuz i bought it in the outer banks. very tight small bubbles let the complex flavors and nuances bounce around unhurriedly, allowing me to sincerely appreciate every facet of flavor this brew has to offer. just another incident that makes me reflect on the intricacies of brewing and how important it is to consider mf in the equation.

D- entirely drinkable and what a session it would be. if it were readily available i could easily buy cases of the stuff and its appeal to me comes from the all around softness of everything. so creamy and mellow but not at all subdued or watery. full of body flavor and aroma and better than many true american ipas i've had this year. bravo, you limey bastards. i know it was you, you stole my heart.

Photo of jdhilt
2.58/5  rDev -30.3%

Pours a two finger cream head that fades slowly and leaves some lace. Cloudy amber color. Light carbonation and medium bodied. Hoppy nose. Flavor starts sweet but hops kick in near finish. Lingering bitter finish. $5.45 for a 500ml bottle from Colonial Spirits Acton, Ma.

Photo of OWSLEY069
3.5/5  rDev -5.4%

Pours a clean copper/ orange-ish color with a small light tan head. In the aroma, small citrus, mainly piney hops. In the taste, fresh piney hops, with a nice English malt backing it up. A small biteand medium mouthfeel, with a semidry piney hop aftertaste. Nice hop presence, good body and flavor for an IPA.

Photo of kimcgolf
3.63/5  rDev -1.9%

Pours to a copper orange color with thick off-whiote head that lingers well into mid-glass and leaves good lacing. Nose is not the citrusy hops I've come to appreciate in IPA's, but tended more toward an earthy malt scent. Motuhfeel was full bodied and a nice mix of tangy-sweet, and the flavor accented a little more of the citrus than did the nose.

Rounded to a nice, long finish. Not a bad beer.

Photo of cvstrickland
4.15/5  rDev +12.2%

500 ml bottle poured into a pint glass yields a hazy orange-amber body capped with a finger of off-white foam that retains at a sheet but leaves minimal lacing.

Highly aromatic... I can smell it from two feet away...smells hoppy-- citrusy, herbal, and fruity with a soothing green floral character.

Taste is mildly caramel-sweet and malty with a floral dosage of hops and a sweet earthy character with grapefruit preceding a mild bitter finish.

Smooth and crisp, there'd be no problem drinking this beer all day.

Photo of JayQue
4/5  rDev +8.1%

An English take on an American IPA. Not exactly a West Coast hop bomb, but a good tasting IPA with some American bitterness in it. Pours a light amber with a medium sized white head. Leaves thick lacing on the glass. Head retentions is pretty good. Nice mild hoppy smell.

The taste is balanced, some light floral and bitter hops with a mild malty finish. A very tasty and quaffable blend. Mouthfeel is good. Not too watery and drinkability is excellent. This is one I could sip slowly all night.


Photo of froghop
2.8/5  rDev -24.3%

pours a semi-hazy orange with no head to speak of.

smell is floral, toffee, sweet malt, and a touch of citrus.

taste is flat, hops, slight grapefruit, caramel, and malt, ends dry, flat, and slightly bitter.

overall tastes okay, just doesn't look appealing, and is too flat.

Photo of BEERchitect
3.6/5  rDev -2.7%

A nice English Style Ale that shares only timid hop influences that are expected of even English IPA's.

The beer starts with a rather dull pour of a deep copper beer that has little carbonation and thus, little head formation. Though light, the light lace of a head lasts very well. Other notes on appearance include a medium haze, maybe from dry-hopping.

Aromas are very beer-centric with an even influence from mals, hops, and yeast. Grains give a lot of caramel and sweet bread scent. Hops contribute grasses, pine, and citrus late. Yeast gives much bready notes and fruity esters.

Deep caramels and hearty bread from Marris Otter malts (or similar) give rich and hearty taste to the beer while hop bitterness gives great balance while contibuting only medium notes of citrus, pineapple, pine, and fresh cut grasses. Esters of appricoats, apples, and pears round out the flavor profile. Since these esters resemble the bruised variety, this beer may not be the freshest.

The beer seems a bit weighted by the lighter carbonation, but still not heavy. Malts have attenuated in a medium fashion, keeping the beer from complete dryness while leaving some sweetness to be savored in deep in the finish and aftertaste.

In the end, this beer doesn't exhibit the fresh quality taste of great English IPA's but show an aged and mellow character of these beers that most folks just lump into the cataory of, "eh, it's just beer". Though it's a nice beer, there's nothing about it that's memorable.

Photo of Rainintheface
3.6/5  rDev -2.7%

Picked this up at Curtis Liquors in Weymouth and poured it into my SA glass.

A: slightly hazy orange/red with minimal white head and decent lacing

S: Aroma is pleasant. citrus, faint pine and honey. a little earthy

T: malt is to the fore with some citric bitterness following but not as hoppy as anticipated

M medium in body, smooth and lightly carbonated. a little dry

D: nice. a little different but I'd have again

Photo of czechsaaz
3.75/5  rDev +1.4%

big hit of citrus hops right off, mostly grapefruit. Then I get some treacle like caramel malt aroma. There's also a bunch of fruity yeast esters. Pretty complex.

Orange and cloudy. Poured with not much head that fades to not much less but still not much head. Almost no carbonation bubbles are visisble.

High hop bitterness but the back end is strong crystal and caramel malt. There's more frruity esters in the flavor along with citrus hop flavor, kind of orange peel. There's some diacetyl and also a wierd earthly spent grain flavor.

Nice beer. British IPA is a much different animal that what we're used to. Kind of like an ESB amped up a notch.

Photo of FaradayUncaged
3.5/5  rDev -5.4%

Hoppy Otter IPA from Otter Brewery Ltd
84 out of 100 based on 45 ratings.