Guinness Hop House 13 - what's the deal?

Ravelleman · 16-04-2015 10:02pm

I had a pint of this earlier today. It's actually quite nice. I found it to be in Galway Hooker territory in terms of flavour, although I didn't do a side-by-side - perhaps this is more due to a declining regard for Galway Hooker than anything else. Regardless, I did indeed find it nice and hoppy. I think it's a good addition to the Diageo lineup and I would quite happily drink it in the lack of a wider selection.

slayerking · 18-04-2015 5:55pm

Chanced a pint of this earlier as I was in a pub with nothing nice available. Found it to be absolute gack. It had a seriously stale malt smell from it with some very faint hops. It's way to rough around the edges to even be considered a lager - and I believe the cheeky buggers even ferment it with an ale yeast.

Other half had smithwicks pale ale, which isn't too bad at all being honest. World's nicer than hop house 13.

Mongfinder General · 18-04-2015 6:02pm

slayerking wrote: »

Chanced a pint of this earlier as I was in a pub with nothing nice available. Found it to be absolute gack. It had a seriously stale malt smell from it with some very faint hops. It's way to rough around the edges to even be considered a lager - and I believe the cheeky buggers even ferment it with an ale yeast.

Other half had smithwicks pale ale, which isn't too bad at all being honest. World's nicer than hop house 13.

It's horrendous. End of.

donaghs · 23-04-2015 12:24pm

slayerking wrote: »

Chanced a pint of this earlier as I was in a pub with nothing nice available. Found it to be absolute gack. It had a seriously stale malt smell from it with some very faint hops. It's way to rough around the edges to even be considered a lager - and I believe the cheeky buggers even ferment it with an ale yeast.

Other half had smithwicks pale ale, which isn't too bad at all being honest. World's nicer than hop house 13.

My thoughts exactly. Just had one yesterday. Faint hoppiness that you don't get in macro lagers. But no reason to ever buy one again unless the only alternatives is Coors Light, Miller, et al.

Banjo String · 23-04-2015 4:00pm

Haven't read the whole thread, don't shoot me if already answered.

Is this available for of off licenses does anyone know, and if so, which ones?

Danjamin1 · 23-04-2015 4:09pm

Banjo String wrote: »

Haven't read the whole thread, don't shoot me if already answered.

Is this available for of off licenses does anyone know, and if so, which ones?

It's available on draught only.

I like it, it's hardly the muck some people seem to think it is. May not be to everybody's taste but then what is?

FlipperThePriest · 23-04-2015 4:36pm

wampyrus77 wrote: »

How long did guinness extra cold last a year so will this

Don't think so... it will be interesting to see though. I work in a bar at the weekends, this stuff is flying out of the pump this past 4 weeks. It's probably our second best seller after Guinness. I know that's only one pub, but it's a busy enough bar with a mix of locals, tourists, party goers, youths etc. so broad spectrum.

OldMrBrennan83 · 23-04-2015 4:38pm

This post has been deleted.

oblivious · 23-04-2015 7:08pm

Patww79 wrote: »

Tried it at the weekend, it was OK but was veering on that awful crafty strong alcohol taste.

Darn new fangled hops

anncoates · 23-04-2015 11:10pm

Had one the other night - and a draught Smithwicks Blonde - to try them out. Didn't really like the hop house at all. Pretty bland. Would probably have a few of the Blonde though if in a pub with no crafts when I wasn't in the mood for Guinness.

janiejones · 24-04-2015 10:57am

I liked it. I prefer Smitwicks Pale Ale and I definitely prefer a whole load of craft beers to it but i like it compared to heineken/budweiser. Due to it being Diageo (boo, hiss) it's readily available in most pubs so if i'm with friends moving from place to place I can rely on it being there. Can't with Franciscan Well yet. Also, it's not too strong so you can drink it for a night. Most of the Crafts I really like are too strong to have on a night out

CramCycle · 29-04-2015 9:43am

Tried it, very bland, in terms of big brands trying something different, Cute Hoor by Heineken was better. If I got stuck in a generic only pub, I don't think I would touch Hop House again.

desertcircus · 29-04-2015 9:48am

Very insipid, tasted like someone had thrown a shot of proper pale ale into a pint of Budweiser.

OU812 · 29-04-2015 9:50am

Tried it the other day. Would pick over the likes of Budweiser/Heineken/Carlsberg/Corona etc. But would probably pick a Guinness over that.

sofireland · 02-05-2015 11:49am

Would echo a lot of whats already been said.
It tastes like someone chucked a hop teabag into it for 10 seconds and took it out.

strobe · 07-05-2015 9:52pm

I managed to have a pint recently. It's the nicest lager I've tasted so far being honest. And I haven't just had heino/bud/etc. As far as lagers go it's pretty impressive. If you put a gun to my head and said drink a lager, I'd easily choose it over brewdogs offerings and most of the german one's i've tried. It's a top quality showing of the style. I'm mystified at the hate. If you don't like any lager you obviously won't like it. If you're an IPA dieahard or a fiend for nothing but imperial stouts then it's not going to be up your street. But it's a great great lager. Fair balls to diageo. They did something right. Long may it continue.

CramCycle · 07-05-2015 10:21pm

strobe wrote: »

. Fair balls to diageo. They did something right. Long may it continue.

I quite like lager, this just isn't a nice one, there are plenty though I would have at home or on a night out. I think someone hit the nail on the head with a hop tea bag dropped in at the last minute.

Its like they had a mediocre lager and then someone from marketing said, IPAs are big, we don't have time to make one so throw some hops in and it might work to trick people.

It didn't work IMO but if you like it then enjoy it, I won't be buying it again.

54and56 · 08-05-2015 3:35pm

glasso wrote: »

a lot of ipa type beers have a soapy type taste. even tho this beer isn't a real ipa type beer.

Haven't tasted HH13 yet. Is it a lager with a hint of IPA taste? I'm an IPA fan and whilst I like O'Hara's and other similar local offerings my favourites by a long way are Sierra Nevada IPA and Brewdog Punk IPA.

slayerking · 08-05-2015 5:42pm

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

Haven't tasted HH13 yet. Is it a lager with a hint of IPA taste? I'm an IPA fan and whilst I like O'Hara's and other similar local offerings my favourites by a long way are Sierra Nevada IPA and Brewdog Punk IPA.

The hint of IPA is very very subtle. The problem for me with it was that the actual underlying lager tasted bad. Not bland like most macros, I wouldn't mind that, but it actually tasted bad.
I'd describe the flavour as boiled spud water - it's a kind of stale, musty flavour again subtle enough but there.
I actually want to try it again to confirm this incase I got a bad one.

Stheno · 08-05-2015 7:26pm

slayerking wrote: »

The hint of IPA is very very subtle. The problem for me with it was that the actual underlying lager tasted bad. Not bland like most macros, I wouldn't mind that, but it actually tasted bad.
I'd describe the flavour as boiled spud water - it's a kind of stale, musty flavour again subtle enough but there.
I actually want to try it again to confirm this incase I got a bad one.

Thats a good description of what mine tasted like too

L1011 · 09-05-2015 3:57pm

slayerking wrote: »

The hint of IPA is very very subtle. The problem for me with it was that the actual underlying lager tasted bad. Not bland like most macros, I wouldn't mind that, but it actually tasted bad.
I'd describe the flavour as boiled spud water - it's a kind of stale, musty flavour again subtle enough but there.
I actually want to try it again to confirm this incase I got a bad one.

It may have been a case of it not moving fast enough in that pub; it seems to suffer heavily from sitting in lines like all other Diageo made lagers do.

The pub I get it in occasionally would have it going fairly quickly and I don't get mustiness from it but I doubt I'd risk it in some other places.

54and56 · 10-05-2015 10:05am

Had a few on Friday night. As an alternative to Heino/Bed/Coors etc it was good but it's not something I would seek out.

Roquentin · 10-05-2015 6:31pm

just had it there. actually enjoyed it. light and has a fruity taste to it. i would have it again

The Hill Billy · 10-05-2015 7:46pm

slayerking wrote: »

The hint of IPA is very very subtle. The problem for me with it was that the actual underlying lager tasted bad. Not bland like most macros, I wouldn't mind that, but it actually tasted bad.
I'd describe the flavour as boiled spud water - it's a kind of stale, musty flavour again subtle enough but there.
I actually want to try it again to confirm this incase I got a bad one.

This surprises me. I tried it last weekend & found it a very refreshing drink. I'm not usually a lager drinker, but liked the freshness & fruitiness of this.

snowblind · 11-05-2015 9:39am

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

Haven't tasted HH13 yet. Is it a lager with a hint of IPA taste? I'm an IPA fan and whilst I like O'Hara's and other similar local offerings my favourites by a long way are Sierra Nevada IPA and Brewdog Punk IPA.

Try some of the Galway Bay or Eight Degrees seasonal (Full Irish, Gasman etc outside their base range) offerings. IMO better than Punk or SN. A couple of years ago I thought the same as you did, but Ireland has caught up finally

the beer revolu · 11-05-2015 10:55am

snowblind wrote: »

Try some of the Galway Bay or Eight Degrees seasonal (Full Irish, Gasman etc outside their base range) offerings. IMO better than Punk or SN. A couple of years ago I thought the same as you did, but Ireland has caught up finally

This.
Or the more recent efforts from Trouble: Hop Priority, Hidden Agenda, Fallen Idol (dark rather than pale), Whistle Blower and Chasing the Dragon have all been up there with the imported IPAs.

Certainly, Galway Bay, 8 Degrees, Trouble and Kinnegar have cracked the American style PA and IPA.
Anyone think of other Irish beers for the lovers of Brewdog and Sierra Nevada?

snowblind · 11-05-2015 11:16am

Kinnegar black bucket

Got a couple weeks old bottle of Galway Bay Full Sail recently and damn if it wasn't one of the nicer IPA's I've had this year, and I had a bunch of hyped up american ones when visiting there. Couple of years ago I thought it was a lame beer, they have come a long way...

BeerNut · 11-05-2015 11:33am

the beer revolu wrote: »

Anyone think of other Irish beers for the lovers of Brewdog and Sierra Nevada?

I'd put White Hag's Bran & Sceolan in this league too, and perhaps even Independent Pale Ale as well.

54and56 · 11-05-2015 12:13pm

Thanks for the Sierra Nevada and Brewdog Punk IPA alternative suggestions. Makes for a nice "to do" list :P

The Hill Billy · 11-05-2015 12:51pm

the beer revolu wrote: »

...Anyone think of other Irish beers for the lovers of Brewdog and Sierra Nevada?

Take this to another thread please. Let's stay on the Guinness Hop House 13 topic here.

Thanks,

tHB

Roquentin · 11-05-2015 11:17pm

can you buy it in the shops. would be nice on a hot day methinks

Tobyglen · 11-05-2015 11:21pm

Hop House 13 is okay- however some of these craft beers are really muck imo. I'm a huge fan of Birra Morena- any craft beers that are as smooth/nice as this?

The Hill Billy · 11-05-2015 11:37pm

Can you see my post three above this about staying on topic?

If you want to chat about Birra Morena - start another thread.

tHB

yoyo · 14-05-2015 8:43pm

Tasted like a lager mixed with passion fruit juice. Didn't like it at all. Had one pint and that was enough.. Having said that not a ale or sweet drink fan at all so probably to be expected.

Nick

Roquentin · 14-05-2015 8:44pm

yoyo wrote: »

Tasted like a lager mixed with passion fruit juice. Didn't like it at all. Had one pint and that was enough.. Having said that not a ale or sweet drink fan at all so probably to be expected.

Nick

yea i detected the fruity hit in it alright

Simon201 · 15-05-2015 12:48pm

As a lover of a lot of craft ale type stuff, I like this Hophouse 13. But I think it'll be quite hard to break the habits of lifetimes with people who are into Bud/Hieneken/Coors etc. Is it geared towards that market or to attract craft ale drinkers back to Diageo I'm wondering?

Anyhow when me mates ask me what it's like I just say 'it's like lager with flavour'!!

And to be honest I think having that extra flavour is what puts some people off it...

Sonderkommando · 15-05-2015 12:48pm

I had a few pints of this last weekend, nothing special imo but would, if there was a limited beer choice take it over heineken, carling etc.

54and56 · 15-05-2015 2:38pm

Sonderkommando wrote: »

I had a few pints of this last weekend, nothing special imo but would, if there was a limited beer choice take it over heineken, carling etc.

I agree with this. Hop House 13 - "The beer that's in between"

It's a mass market lager which has a hint of IPA for those of us who would prefer a nice IPA but can't get it.

Abhoth · 16-05-2015 4:26pm

I like it. I can imagine that anyone expecting something like an IPA based on the name would be disappointed because it is very light on bittering hops. It's a lager with some nice finishing hops, and at least for me it does that well.

jenno86 · 21-05-2015 8:42pm

Can you get this in an off licence?

Roquentin · 21-05-2015 8:43pm

jenno86 wrote: »

Can you get this in an off licence?

i was wondering the same thing and didnt hear back

lk67 · 21-05-2015 8:51pm

Roquentin wrote: »

i was wondering the same thing and didnt hear back

Not yet afaik but 'in bottle by the end of the year' apparently.

http://www.drinksindustryireland.ie/diageo-launches-hop-store-13-lager/

Roquentin · 21-05-2015 8:56pm

lk67 wrote: »

Not yet afaik but 'in bottle by the end of the year' apparently.

http://www.drinksindustryireland.ie/diageo-launches-hop-store-13-lager/

ill be getting a few bottles every week. becoming addicted to it. i really like it

Antrim_Man · 22-05-2015 10:08am

I thought it was horrible.

Slattsy · 27-05-2015 7:03pm

Only got around to trying it to trying it recently, thought it was really nice, very easy to drink and not too 'crafty'. Probably why i liked it :P

Personally, i reckon because its Diageo a lot of people were going to say it was 'horrible' / 'only ok' etc... regardless how it actually tasted. Poor aul Diageo

OldMrBrennan83 · 27-05-2015 7:41pm

This post has been deleted.

L1011 · 27-05-2015 8:29pm

Make sure its moving before buying, it seems to go very manky very quick if its not selling. Always tastes rather stale in one local pub unless there's been a few other buyers that evening.

irish_goat · 27-05-2015 9:09pm

L1011 wrote: »

Make sure its moving before buying, it seems to go very manky very quick if its not selling. Always tastes rather stale in one local pub unless there's been a few other buyers that evening.

A common problem with most Diageo products.

The Hill Billy · 28-05-2015 6:23am

irish_goat wrote: »

A common problem with most Diageo products.

A common problem with most breweries' products.

Lovely Bloke · 28-05-2015 10:14am

Slattsy wrote: »

very easy to drink and not too 'crafty'.

I'm curious, what do you consider to be "crafty" in a beer? Colour, flavour?

Guinness Hop House 13 - what's the deal?

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