Check out one of the world’s hoppiest beers at Whole Foods’ Friday Beer Class

How hoppy can a beer be? That’s the question the participants at one of Sierra Nevada’s pro-am “Beer Camps” wondered. The result is Hoptimum, which the Chico, Calif., brewery unveiled in 2011 and describes as “a hurricane of whole-cone hop flavor.”

This extremely bitter beer – Sierra Nevada lists it at 100 IBUs, but it’s probably higher – also is very high in alcohol (10.4% ABV). Even the most devout “hop heads” will struggle to drink more than a pint.

You can taste Hoptimum for yourself at this week’s Friday Beer Class at Whole Foods Chandler, which will celebrate the beer’s 2013 release. The class also will sample Sierra Nevada’s Belgian Blonde IPA, Blindfold Black IPA, Ovila Belgian-style Abbey Quad brewed with plums, and a special surprise firkin.

A Sierra Nevada rep will be handing out free swag during the informal tasting, which starts at 7 p.m. and costs just $5, is open to anyone 21 and over.