Beer Review: River North’s Hoppenberg Uncertainty Principle

Hoppenberg Uncertainty Principle, River North Brewery, Denver

Style: Belgian-style double IPA

Serving Type: 650-mL bottle

ABV: 9 percent

Malty? Hoppy? Is that even a question here? Hops. Hops. Hops.

Reviewed: December 2013

It’s the time of year for odd mashups: family and friends; coworkers and holiday parties; ugly sweaters and leggings. Some work. Others? Not so much.

River’s North’s Hoppenberg Uncertainty Principle is a matchup that works. It pairs two things we adore (double IPAs and yeasty Belgian-style brews) in one bottle. While it seems improbable that these two feisty beer styles could co-exist, Hoppenberg manages to be hop-heavy and showcase a heady dose of yeast. The brew pours an orange-yellow color and has a lacey, off-white head that lasts. You’ll discover plenty of citrusy flavors and spice, which helps mask the ultra-high ABV. All of which makes the Hoppenberg an ideal holiday brew: compromising, surprising, and a heck of a lot of fun.

Would we buy it again? Two words: stocking stuffer.

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