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[expand]Total Score: 45/50
An understated double IPA, nearly an English barleywine. Great hop presence and balance. more >
[close]Total Score: 45/50
Aroma: Sweet pale malt with a moderate, resiny hop aroma. Light fermentation fruitiness. No DMS. No diacetyl. Alcohol not particularly evident in aroma. Very clean, understated ale for the style. (10/12)
Appearance: Fairly clear with a light haze—OK for a highly hopped beer. Light orange/amber color. Dense, tan, rocky, long-lasting head. (3/3)
Flavor: Balanced pale malt and resiny hop flavor with high hop bitterness. Sweetness lingers in aftertaste as long as the hop bitterness. No DMS. No diacetyl. Some non-descript, fruity fermentation esters. Noticeable, but subtle alcohol. (18/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium to medium-full body. No astringency. Sense of bitterness lower than the stated IBUs for a soft mouthfeel and palate. Deceiving alcohol warming. Carbonation a bit low but in synch with this beer. (5/5)
Overall Impression: An understated double IPA, nearly an English barleywine. Great hop presence and balance. Nice to have an alternative to a citrus assault. The beer belies the high hop bittering rate. On a chilly night, it warmed well and was a great nightcap when accompanied by some aged cheddar. (9/10)
Total Score: (45/50)
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[expand]Total Score: 42/50
Deliciously drinkable for all the intensity of flavors. The malty sweetness is surprisingly intense, and provides support necessary for the assertive hop bitterness. more >
[close]Total Score: 42/50
Aroma: Orange zest citrus dominates, with subtle sweet malt in the background. Clean fermentation with evident alcohol. Clean maltiness becomes stronger as the sample breathes, though hop aroma remains. (10/12)
Appearance: First poured golden colored, with slight haze. Creamy, off-white, persistent rocky head with a few uneven bubbles, leaves lace on the glass. (3/3)
Flavor: Sweet, lightly bready malt supports a highly pronounced orangey hop flavor and clean fermentation character. Assertive hop bitterness grows in intensity until it totally dominates the long, lingering finish. On subsequent sips, malt flavor gains complexity, with notes of ripe plum and cherry, but balance is all about the hop flavor and bitterness. (16/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Low alcohol warmth emerges, and intensifies the lingering, herbal astringency in the finish. Dry. (5/5)
Overall Impression: Deliciously drinkable for all the intensity of flavors. The malty sweetness is surprisingly intense, and provides support necessary for the assertive hop bitterness. The hop flavor is particularly engaging, living up to the brand name. Also the 9.1 percent ABV doesn’t dominate the overall mix, but sits in the background as a supporting characteristic. It’s a perfect beer for a late summer afternoon, when nothing is left to do but watch the sun and swat mosquitoes. (8/10)
Total Score: (42/50)
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[expand]Total Score: 41/50
A solid example of a strong IPA. The fermentation is well done, providing some complexity from light fruity esters without allowing them to dominate. more >
[close]Total Score: 41/50
Aroma: First impression is light sherry, nutty notes from oxidation, balanced and brightened by moderate citrus and piney notes from American hops. Alcohol is apparent, but it is clean without the warming sensation of higher alcohols, and complementary. More hop character emerges as it warms, mainly pineapple and resiny notes. Malt is somewhat subdued, with light caramel and biscuit notes in the background. (10/12)
Appearance: Amber in color, with a head that forms nicely with compact, tight, white beads. It falls rather quickly, perhaps due to the alcohol. The clarity is excellent. (3/3)
Flavor: The malt is present in enough force to provide a backbone, and the caramel notes add complexity without upstaging the hops. The hops are the focus, not so much in the flavor as in the long, intense bitterness that would leave any hophead satisfied. The hop flavor has floral notes, as well as the citrusy/lemony character from American hops. Alcohol and light fruity esters are in balance with the malt and hop character. (16/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium-high alcoholic warmth, but not hot. Carbonation is low to medium, with a touch of residual sweetness from dextrins. Nicely done. A light astringency from the hops, but not above the limit for this style. (4/5)
Overall Impression: A solid example of a strong IPA. The fermentation is well done, providing some complexity from light fruity esters without allowing them to dominate. The alcohol content is appropriately high without adding the baggage of harsh fusels. The hop character is evident, but a bit subdued, and the sherry notes are evidence of age, but these are not completely unexpected for this style, whether from bottle or can. (8/10)
Total Score: (41/50)
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[expand]Total Score: 36/50
The name certainly fits, but the quality of the hop bitterness and flavor is not to my liking. The bitterness has a lingering harshness and the flavor is very woody and resinous. more >
[close]Total Score: 36/50
Aroma: Moderately strong hop nose—woody, piney, citrus/grapefruit rind, some grassy-fresh notes. Mild malt sweetness in background, fairly neutral. Light esters, like peaches or apricots. Slight alcohol sharpness, not bad. Hops are prominent but not extreme. (9/12)
Appearance: Deep golden color, pushing close to amber. Moderate-sized frothy off-white head, average retention. Fairly clear, just a touch of haze. Quite effervescent. (3/3)
Flavor: Strong bitterness, tongue-coating. Certainly follows its name—resinous finish and aftertaste. Some alcohol adds to the bitterness impression. Woody/piney flavors are quite strong. Some grapefruit rind. Finish is full with a long, lingering bitterness. The hop bitterness is fairly harsh and the hop flavor is aggressive. Neutral fermentation character with very low esters. The malt almost is an afterthought—neutral, grainy-clean flavor in background. (14/20)
Mouthfeel: High carbonation—mouth-filling bubbles. Medium body, but the carbonation makes it seem bigger. Astringent hop bite. Definitely warming but not burning. (3/5)
Overall Impression: The name certainly fits, but the quality of the hop bitterness and flavor is not to my liking. The bitterness has a lingering harshness and the flavor is very woody and resinous. I like how the malt is clean and supportive but the body and carbonation reduce the drinkability. An aggressive beer for those who prefer their IPAs to be rough and palate-assaulting with over-the-top bitterness. Well-made and fits the style, but the drinkability suffers in my opinion from heaviness and harshness. (7/10)
Total Score: (36/50)
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