Cowboys, lassos. cattle drives, and wide open prairies. That’s what comes to mind when I hear the word ranch. I also get visions of Robert Duvall in Lonesome Dove asking poor Diane Lane for a poke…

As it turns out, I am completely off base. Hop Ranch has nothing to do with cattle ranching and everything to do with Craft Beer. Hop Ranch is Victory Brewing Company’s latest seasonal offering from their Ranch series of beers which feature hop varieties grown at small, family owned hop farms/ranches.

Here’s is a bit more information about Hop Ranch Imperial IPA from the good people at Victory Brewing:

To our hop ranchers, who coax and cultivate our enticing and flavorful hops, we raise this glass. Selecting the finest varieties in their natural, whole flower form, we craft our Hop Ranch Imperial India Pale Ale, as a celebration of their successes. Pungent, floral and intense, this represents America’s best, in every relaxing sip.

And now for my review…

Appearance : Golden yellow color with a thick head of white foam that tops out at an inch and settles down really slowly. Oodles of sticky lacing remains on the insides of the glass as you drink it down.

: Golden yellow color with a thick head of white foam that tops out at an inch and settles down really slowly. Oodles of sticky lacing remains on the insides of the glass as you drink it down. Aroma : Loads of citrus and tropical fruit on the nose, i.e. grapefruit, tangerine, lemon, ripe pineapple, and maybe even a touch of mango. On the back end, there’s a touch of honey sweetness along with a smattering of funk.

: Loads of citrus and tropical fruit on the nose, i.e. grapefruit, tangerine, lemon, ripe pineapple, and maybe even a touch of mango. On the back end, there’s a touch of honey sweetness along with a smattering of funk. Taste : Creamy carbonation gives this beer a velvety mouthfeel. When Victory said this beer was hop forward, they definitely weren’t kidding. Everything that I picked up in the nose carried through to the palate with all of those citrus and tropical fruit notes taking center stage. For as hoppy as it is, I’m not finding this to be overly bitter. As you approach the finish, some sweet malts kick in to lend some balance. The finish is crisp and clean with a mildly bitter aftertaste that I am really enjoying.

: Creamy carbonation gives this beer a velvety mouthfeel. When Victory said this beer was hop forward, they definitely weren’t kidding. Everything that I picked up in the nose carried through to the palate with all of those citrus and tropical fruit notes taking center stage. For as hoppy as it is, I’m not finding this to be overly bitter. As you approach the finish, some sweet malts kick in to lend some balance. The finish is crisp and clean with a mildly bitter aftertaste that I am really enjoying. ABV: 9.0%

This is one dangerously delicious beer, especially when you consider it’s 9.0% ABV. Hop Ranch is VERY easy drinking and quite refreshing for such a high octane beer. Definitely a beer that will sneak up on you if you’re not careful. Once again, bravo Victory!