For those that aren’t aware, the site beeradvocate.com, often considered the premier resource for ratings, reviews and information about craft beer, maintains a list of the highest rated beers in the world. This two hundred and fifty strong list is frequently in flux, and while many of the more rare and sought after beers maintain their position, new offerings often make the list, often due to scarcity, and also, due to exceptional quality and taste. Acquiring these gems can be a bit of a challenge, and often the cost of acquisition is considerable.
I’ve recently come into possession of two of these highly rated beers. Interestingly enough, they are both from the same company. I figure, with such good fortune to have two of the top twenty-five rated beers in the world at the same time, why not pit them against each other, and see which is best?
#6 Heady Topper – The Alchemist – This beer has been on many an IPA lovers bucket list of highly sought after beers for some time. Does it truly deserve the accolades? Upon pouring, a beautiful, and slightly hazy, golden-colored brew fills the glass. The aromatics from the bold, fluffy, head remind me of fresh pineapple, honey, and stone fruits, with a slight piney tingle lingering in the nostrils. Sipping this fills my mouth with flavors of mango, juicy peaches, and finishes with a satisfying, mouth tingling bitterness. Each taste makes me want to go back for more, and I find myself reaching the bottom of this refreshing beer with ease. I can see why it is extremely sought after, this is most delicious. 9/10
#22 Focal Banger – Yep same company – This beer is relatively new, popularity wise. I first tried this several years ago, when the can was not more than a silver cylinder with a small label affixed to the outside. The can has since seen drastic redesign, and this beer has become a more regularly produced offering from The Alchemist. Highlighting the visuals of this beer would be a bit redundant, as this and Heady Topper look identical. As for the nose, Focal Banger exhibits more of a citrus fruit, lemony/orange peel smell, with clean hints of fresh and dank hops. The taste is, certainly cleaner, more fresh, and consistent with the nose, more citrus-laden and piney. The bitterness is a bit more prominent in this beer, and causes more puckering in my lips. This beer definitely appeals more to the citrusy, piney, IPA aficionado, and packs a bitter punch to accentuate these elements. 9/10
WHHHHHAAAAATTTTTT? The same rating? How dare you conduct this experiment and call it a draw?
I can certainly understand the outrage at such a conclusion. However, I beg you to afford me the opportunity to explain this stale mate.
Both of these beers are immaculate examples of the IPA style, but they appeal to different types of IPA drinkers.
Heady Topper appeals to the IPA fan who enjoys a sweet, fruity, juicy, and thicker bodied type of IPA.
Focal Banger appeals to the IPA fan who like a bold piney, citrusy, and bitter punch to the palate.
These are both relevant considerations, and therefore, both productions have merit in the craft beer marketplace.
Hence I declare a tie.
If you’d like to try these, seek out a friend in the Vermont area, or better yet, travel there yourself.
Perhaps your results will be different. Perhaps you will enjoy one more than the other. Perhaps you don’t care for IPAs whatsoever, and then the beer advocate rating seems utterly ridiculous.
Whatever your choice, cheers.
Humbly yours,
