West Coast Full Hop Alchemist v40 : Background
West Coast Full Hop Alchemist v40 is an 8.5% hazy double IPA from West Coast Brewing based in Mochimune, Shizuoka. It’s part of their Full Hop Alchemist range of beers, so no doubt by the time this writeup comes it, this beer will have sold out. The beer can be found in both cans and on draught. West Coast Full Hop Alchemist v40 uses Citra, HBC 1019, Kohatu and Motueka hops and has been billed as their last Full Hop Alchemist – though I doubt that will be the case as the series has been a stalwart in the West Coast Brewing lineup.
At A Glance
- ABV : 8.5%
- Style : Hazy double IPA
- Hops : Citra, HBC 1019, Kohatu and Motueka
- Adjuncts : –
- IBU : 510 ml
Sale Information
- Availability : Limited
- On Sale : From March 2025
- Size : 500 ml
West Coast Full Hop Alchemist v40 : Appearance, Aroma, and Taste
West Coast Full Hop Alchemist v40 poured out with a hazy, orange juice like colour with just a thin layer of bubbles on top that swiftly dissipated away.
The beer had a distinctly tropical aroma with mango and pineapple being the two most prominent aromas coming through. As West Coast Full Hop Alchemist v40 warmed up, some stone fruits were also noted, with passion fruit and peaches coming through, alongside a faint citrus nose of grapefruit and lemon. In terms of malts, there was an underlying sweetness tying the beer altogether.
West Coast Brewing themselves admit that you should let this beer settle after pouring to prevent the dreaded hop burn. Taking their advice, I didn’t let it settle and guess what – there was some hop burn to this beer. It’s definitely been hopped to the gills so actually take their advice if you do get the chance to drink West Coast Full Hop Alchemist v40.
The hops were punchy and vibrant with citrus, stone fruit, and tropical notes permeating through drinking. The body had a solid mouthfeel to it, which meant this wasn’t a beer for chugging back quickly – if anything, it was more full bodied than what I remember from this series of beers. The tropical flavours of mango and pineapple were definitely the longest lasting of what was in the beer, going through right into the aftertaste and hanging around for a bit longer.
West Coast Full Hop Alchemist v40 : The Bottom Line
West Coast Full Hop Alchemist v40 is exactly what it’s supposed to be. A solid hazy double IPA full of flavour – just let it settle.
West Coast Full Hop Alchemist v40 : Where to Buy
It can be bought online at the following places:
