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Flying Monkeys Hoptical Illusion Almost Pale Ale

Flying Monkeys Hoptical Illusion Almost Pale Ale

Rated 3.530 by BeerPals

Brewed by Flying Monkeys Craft Brewing (Robert Simpson Brewing)

Barrie, Ontario, Canada

Style:  American Pale Ale

5% Alcohol by Volume

18 International Bittering Units

Availability of this beer is unknown


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Defying real focus (how unlike us!), we had to call Hoptical Illusion an Almost Pale Ale (5% Alc./Vol. / IBU 17.5 / Colour SRM 3.44). Hoptical Illusion approaches the characteristics of a pale ale, but takes a quick u-turn at the end. At 18 IBUs versus 25 and up for English Pale Ales, we’re hoppier than most commercial beers, but not too crazy. The star of the show is the dizzying aroma of the privately grown Amarillo hop. Beyond the provocative citrus and floral essences that resonate from the Amarillo’s small, tight cone is a subtle but unique maltiness blended from amber kiln and roasted specialty malts. Finishing with a final Amarillo reference, Hoptical Illusion is a beer that doesn’t beat you over the head, steal your wallet, and jack your car. But you still wouldn’t want meet it in a dark alley.

ID: 36421 Last updated 2 weeks ago Added to database 15 years ago

Key Stats

95
percentile

0

Drunk

14

Reviews

0

Likes

1 Member Photo


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Most noted beer attributes

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Statistics

Overall Rank2756
Overall Percentile95
Style Rank55 of 2291
Style Percentile97.6
Lowest Score3.0
Highest Score4.3
Average Score3.643
Weighted Score3.530
Standard Deviation0.390

Rating Distribution

Beer vs Style

14 Member Reviews

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  • PAULCARDOM 549 reviews
    rated 3.8 6 years ago

    Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

    This is one of the beers that Flying Monkeys has been hanging their hat on and it’s a fine beer. A slightly hazed copper coloured pour with a weak off-white ring for a cap. The aroma is caramel malt, light fruits, and light citrus. The flavours of caramel and citrus are well balanced.

  • SIRCANSALOT 19 reviews
    rated 4.0 12 years ago

    Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 9 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 8

    this had and amazing hops tast it lace the glass just right and not to harsh carbonation on the tong overall i would purches this beer again and the labels have realy nice graphics on them.

  • PALEALERIDER 2314 reviews
    rated 3.9 12 years ago

    Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

    I like that there's always a clever/funny message under the bottle caps. Mine says "That's what she said". Ok, not that funny. Well, this one poured a dark amber colour with a thin layer of head, just a bit foamy. Has good lacing. Hops are strong in the aroma but mixed well with the malts. Also a bit of barley, grains, somewhat smokey. Flavours are also very hoppy but not as in your face as their Smashbomb IPA. Much more subdued and actually pretty smooth. Very good.

  • MMMMBEER 1119 reviews
    rated 3.0 12 years ago

    Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 4 | Flavor: 5 | Overall: 6

    Dark amber with a massive crown floating on top reducing to the always popular nipple cap. Lacing is ridiculous!! BIG citrus aroma, lemon, orange peel, a sharpness is here but what is it? Taste is not as good as the aroma seems watered down and thinner but still yummy. Hoppy bitterness with a light citrus flavor, malts are smooth and nondescript. The after taste is all wood. I could drink this all day long.

  • MITCHFORGIE 683 reviews
    rated 3.3 12 years ago

    Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

    Purchased at frick and frack kamloops. Nearly the worst "beer bar" ever. Of the 150 beers about 20 aren't lager. This is the only ipa. But they do have mcauslan. That's good. Anyways. The beer is bottled. In a sleeve. Copper and light brown with some rust. Translucent. Immediately diminishing head. Smell is of nothing. Maybe my nose broke. Bitter to the taste. Medium to light bodied an British in malt profile. Almost flat but cold it works well. A decent patio beer that I would have again. Really simple. Almost no flavor at all just generic Brit esb/pale ale with lots of bitterness and little aroma.

  • GIVMEBEER 795 reviews
    rated 3.5 12 years ago

    Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

    Copper colour with a large head which leaves good lacing. Sweet malt and wet grass aroma. Flavour is floral and quite strong pine for the style. Medium light body with moderate carbonation .Not bad but too many beers out there to buy this one twice.

  • UPSTATEDAVE 853 reviews
    rated 4.1 14 years ago

    Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 8

    Very nice poured an amber chesnut with medium head, The aroma was malty with just a bit of hops. The flavor was really well balanced between the malt and the hops. This may well be the best Canadian beer I have had

  • PHILB 2479 reviews
    rated 3.6 14 years ago

    Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 7

    Bottle: Poured a copper color ale with a generous head with good retention and minimal lacing. Aroma of medium bitter hops with some floral notes is actually better then I had hoped. Taste is also a very nice balanced mix between some caramel malt notes with a nice touch of citrus and bitter hoppy notes. Body is just about right with good carbonation. Well done for the style with good quaffing quality.

  • CHOPZ 7473 reviews
    rated 3.7 14 years ago

    Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

    This is their first beer under the name "Flying Monkey" since they changed it at the beginning of 2009 (from Robert Simpson). Pours an amber colour with an off-white head that is creamy, has great retention and nice sticky lacing. The nose is a beautiful blend of the hop (which is not overpowering) with some mild spices, caramel and vanilla. Medium-bodied with a dry mouthfeel created by the hop. Hoppy taste with a little roasted malt and coffee in the background. The oak/vanilla flavours come out in the aftertaste. A pretty interesting "almost pale ale" that surprises for an Ontario beer.

  • MYKE 542 reviews
    rated 4.3 14 years ago

    Aroma: 9 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 9 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

    First of I must say I get that this is what it is. I'm not a fan of overtly hoppy beers like this yet my rating will remian objective. It was very grapefruity, which I do not like, but I get it that others do. The caramel like aroma was outstanding. ***update** Finally sampled on draft- wow much much better on tap

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