I’ve witnessed at least ten people write or say “I can’t get Pliny the Elder in my neck of the woods; so what tastes similar but is much easier to get?” My response to that has always been Lagunitas Hop Stoopid. Now… I’ll admit upfront that Hop Stoopid is not quite as transcendent as Pliny the Elder, but they do share a lot of the same characteristics. Both are very light in color, both are very clear in appearance, both are right at 8% ABV, and both pack an amazing amount of flavor into a seemingly light and refreshing beer. It probably doesn’t hurt either that Lagunitas and Russian River are neighbors (geographically). Maybe there is something in the water there – who knows? Having said that, though, I will tell you that the Lagunitas Hop Stoopid is the best value in beer. This 22 ounce bottle usually sells for around $3.59, which is insane considering how great it tastes. There are loads of west coast hops in this bottle (though you should know it’s made from a hop extract). The bitterness is at just the right level, too. But what makes this a true winner in my book is how insanely drinkable it is. Trust me! Take a $20 bill into your local liquor store and buy a few of these. You’ll soon see that you spent your money about as wisely as you can. That counts for A LOT in this economy. Thank you Lagunitas!
Check out all sessions of The Hopry here.
This beer can be found in these states.
On the iPod: Joanna Newsom
Brewery: Lagunitas
Beer: Hop Stoopid
Style: Imperial IPA
Location: Petaluma, California
ABV: 8%
Rating: 94/100
Posted by Barleywhiner on March 1, 2010 at 8:28 AM
The Hop Stoopid is definitely a bargain. IMO the best DIPA in the KC area right now would be the Southern Tier Gemini.
Posted by thehopry on March 2, 2010 at 7:44 AM
Isn’t the Gemini the combination of two of their annual beers? I think I read something about that recently but am not sure. I may have to check one out next time I see it.
Posted by Big Mike on March 2, 2010 at 12:44 PM
The Gemini is a 50 50 blend of Hoppe and Unearthly. I just picked a bottle up yesterday to try. I’ve heard mixed reviews about.
Posted by Dave on March 1, 2010 at 8:33 AM
Very good bargain for a great beer. Also, Pliny the Elder uses hop extract as well.
Posted by thehopry on March 2, 2010 at 7:46 AM
Do you happen to know the process or where I could find some info on it? I’m pretty intrigued by the thought of making an extract based solely on how clear it can make a beer.
Posted by Dave on March 2, 2010 at 11:54 AM
I’ve never used any hop extracts but I know that Russian River only uses extract for bittering additions in Blind Pig and Pliny. I’m not sure about Lagunitas or Bell’s(doesn’t Hopslam use extract?)RR starts using pellets at the “30 minutes left in the boil mark.” With such hoppy beers the pellets, plugs, and whole leaf hops absorb so much wort while the extract doesn’t. I’m not sure where to buy extract, but it would be interesting to use it in a homebrew.
Posted by Jameson (BeerGenius) on March 1, 2010 at 3:21 PM
Nice review – I love hop stoopid, and I’m more of a malt guy. Tons of great stuff coming out of Lagunitas as of late.
Actually first had this beer on top of a mountain in Colorado. Let’s just say it hit my bloodstream pretty darn quick.
Cheers!
Posted by thehopry on March 2, 2010 at 7:45 AM
I bet. Altitude changes everything. Especially football and beer.
Posted by beaverc32 on March 1, 2010 at 4:11 PM
Great review! I recently had 2 bottles of Pliny (thanks to a very kind individual mailing me 2 of them), and have also had 2 bottles of Hop Stoopid the same week. After drinking both of them, I can honestly say I feel the Hop Stoopid hits my palette better than the Pliny.
Posted by thehopry on March 2, 2010 at 7:48 AM
They definitely are good beers either way. I tend to lean toward the Pliny thought based mainly on the fact that Vinnie’s beers always have an insane amount of lightness but with a MASS of flavor. The Pliny is easily the cleanest IPA I’ve ever had – and Blind Pig is the same way…
Posted by Big Mike on March 2, 2010 at 2:01 PM
Damn man. Hop Stoopid is $7.50 around here. At $3.59 I’d buy it all day long.
Posted by theReaper16 on March 3, 2010 at 10:13 AM
Hop Stoopid reminds me of Pliny, too, but I find Pliny to be not just in a different realm but in like three other realms distant. My nickname for Hop Stoopid is “Pliny the Ancient” because it tastes like an old bottle of Pliny to me; the brightness of a PtE just isn’t there and I find Hop Stoopid to be maltier to boot. I’m not dissing it, though. On The Hopry scale I’d probably give it an 88/100.
Posted by thehopry on March 3, 2010 at 10:43 AM
Pliny is definitely a winner. Two should be showing up in the mail tomorrow as a matter of fact. I love how clean that beer is while also having a TON of flavor.
Posted by Big Mike on March 3, 2010 at 11:09 AM
I had blind pig on tap last week. I liked it almost better then Pliny. What a masterpiece they both are.
Posted by Big Mike on March 19, 2010 at 5:08 PM
We finally got Hop Stoopid at a decent price around here. $4.99. I’m drinking one now for the first time in about 10 months. I have to say, in that time period I’ve had Elder and Younger and Hopslam and Hop stoopid is a very close second to those bad boys. This beer goes down easier then almost any other beer I’ve had. I’m glad I picked up 4.
Posted by lukewid on September 10, 2010 at 2:18 AM
Hey Mark,
just stumbled upon your site earlier in the week and I’m really digging the format, very engaging and your off the cuff adjectives are hilarious. I had Hop Stoopid a while back and thoroughly enjoyed it but found that it paled in comparison to Pliny. But as of late I’ve been finding beers like Hair of the Dog Blue Dot, Hopworks Ace of Spades, Double Union Jack and Black Raven’s Wisdom Seeker that strike me as better DIPAs. I think I’m over the hype but I can still agree to using it as a point on a scale to compare the worthiness of others. If you’re ever in the Seattle area check out Wisdom Seeker!
Posted by Cranberry Muscle Pickle on December 30, 2010 at 1:04 AM
I know I’m late to the party but in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, a 22oz of Hop Stoopid costs at least 6.99 and I’ve seen it for 8.99 at a mom-and-pop . . . I’ve always felt that it’s well worth the price . . . considering that a sixer of Stone Ruination is 15.99. . . . . ?!!?!!?!?!!
Posted by thehopry on December 31, 2010 at 9:14 AM
Wow that is a lot! I can literally buy it all day here in KC for less than $4.