Heady Topper by The Alchemist was evaluated as a Double IPA, BJCP category 22A. The beer in the glass is a pale straw color with a notable haziness and a creamy white head that persists as a ring on the glass. The nose hits hop-forward with apricot, mango, passion fruit and pine resin leading the way. Very much hop-forward, there is a subtle malt backbone to go along with the hops. Additionally, a fairly fruit-forward yeast character pops out, as does some clean ethanol. Super fresh beer here. On tasting, it has that characteristic Simcoe quality -- resiny and tropically fruity tinged with a smooth but persistent bitterness, enhanced a bit by the alcohol. The hop flavor really drives the show, but into the finish, soft malt and a peachy yeast ester follow. This beer really is the bridge between the classic double IPA style and modern hazy iterations, as this maintains the classic bitterness, but really drives through with an absurd amount of hop flavor. Super fresh and clean, the mouthfeel is light enough on the palate to let the beer's drinkability show well. Really great stuff and a classic for a reason.