Sierra Nevada Hoptimum 2022 Review (IIPA 11%)

Craft Beer Review: Sierra Nevada / Hoptimum2022 (Imperial West Coast IPA 11%)

This article is based on a past tasting experience and was updated in June 2025.

About This Beer

Characteristics

This is an Imperial IPA from Sierra Nevada. I bought it precisely because it’s an Imperial IPA from this legendary brewery.

Availability

Available from release until sold out. I believe it was released in early September.

Where to Buy

I bought it at Tanakaya in Mejiro (Tokyo).

Beer Review

Appearance

Transparent. Crystal clear with no haze. Maybe slightly brownish? Just barely.

Aroma

Aroma (Orthonasal)

Strong licorice character. Magnum? Or Columbus? That kind of aroma with a hint of mint layered on top. There’s also a subtle fruity note at the base that you might associate with Mosaic hops, but the malt aroma is stronger.

Flavor (Retronasal)

Nuances of licorice, mint, and burnt sugar. As the temperature rises, peach, mint, and orange notes emerge. Delicious.

Taste

Mouthfeel

Classic beer-like character. Calm on first contact with the palate. If anything, marmalade.

Body & Texture

Starts with marmalade. Once it sits on the tongue, Magnum-style licorice with herbal mint nuances intensify. Hold it on your tongue long enough and it gets quite spicy. There’s also a grassy note, mixed with burnt sugar. A considerable wasabi-like heat lingers.

The Swallow

No dank character — it slides down smoothly. Is this why people call it easy to drink?

Aftertaste

Black tea and grassy nuances linger. Within the long-lasting hop character, some might find it overly persistent.

Aftertaste

Black tea and grassy nuances linger. Within the long-lasting hop character, some might find it overly persistent.

At the Bottom

Peach-like aroma mixed with alcohol. Ripe peach. In the mouth, it has a draft beer-like quality. Plus a creamy sweetness. Still no dank character at all. I think Sierra Nevada defines drinkability as the absence of dankness.

Overall Impression

I was amazed at how completely they eliminated any dank character. It almost feels like they defined dankness as harshness and focused on removing it entirely. It was very delicious. It went down without any throat catch. This beer made me realize that what I’d been describing as “catch” in other beers was actually dankness. I think this is a really great beer. My personal preference is still the full-on dank WCIPAs from Knee Deep, but I can appreciate this approach too. Thank you, Sierra Nevada.

Overall Rating

Where to Buy

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Craft Beer Review: Sierra Nevada / Hoptimum2022 (Imperial West Coast IPA 11%) FAQ

What does

Craft Beer Review: Sierra Nevada / Hoptimum2022 (Imperial West Coast IPA 11%) taste like?

Craft Beer Review: Sierra Nevada / Hoptimum2022 (Imperial West Coast IPA 11%) is a West Coast IPA-style beer. Please see the article above for a detailed review of its taste, aroma, and appearance.

Where can I buy

Craft Beer Review: Sierra Nevada / Hoptimum2022 (Imperial West Coast IPA 11%)?

It may be available at craft beer specialty stores and online shops. If it’s hard to find, check out our recommended craft beer feature for other great options.

Are there other recommended West Coast IPA brands?

We review many West Coast IPAs on this site. Complete Guide to Dank IPA and DDH/TDH Beer Guideare also great references.

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