egajdzis (2969), Terrapin, Pennsylvania, USA Nov 4, 2006 Poured an amber color with a tight, creamy, off white head that left nice lacing on the glass. Aroma of pine, resiny, tobacco, citrus fruits, toffee, and a floral hoppiness. Taste of more pine, with grapefruit bitterness, caramel malts and a bit of alcohol in the finish. Creamy mouthfeel.
IlanMan (529), Winona, Minnesota, USA Sep 4, 2008 Bottle thanks to Kegbear. Poured a deep golden with a fresh hop and sweet citrus spice aroma. Damn nice flavors of peach, fresh hops, citrus, floral characters, sweet malt, and some light but noticeable spice. Very smooth and tasty brew. 502Flavors (227), Kentucky, USA Sep 1, 2008 bomber into pint glass. The aroma is pretty inbelievable and quite possibly the best hop aroma I have encountered (reminded me a bit of Hop Slam, but better than what I remember of it). All juicy citrus hops with a great floral character too (even some pine hops, which I am detecting further down the glass) that is in such impeccable balance that I can’t really explain it. This is also not to mention the extreme potency; when I poured this I could smell it throughout the room. Beneath the great hops one can detect a hint of sweet pale malt... yum. I’m not one for the color of this brew or the color of its head (very light copper golden body with an all white head), but the creaminess of the head that the lace it leaves is litterally perfect (perhaps the best lacing I have encountered also). Crystal clear without much visible carbonation. The hops on the flavor are also, as expected, off the chain with all varieties of hops - citrus, pine, floral and bittering. It has pine hops upfront that fade into citrus and finish with a dry as hell bitterness. As it warms the malt comes out on the swallow and finish too - rich thick pale malt. This thing is hot but smooth on the palate, medium to thick bodied with a rich maltyness. Overall: this may be the ultimate in hoppy beers, and I am actually a bit surprised that it isn’t rated higher. (after submitting my original rating... I checked my raitings and I gave dreadnaught 1 point higher but can;t imagine it having been any better... I need to try these side by side and crown the victor.) This thing is beautiful. Lt_Dan (33), Greater Los Angeles Area, California, USA Aug 25, 2008 A super sexy double IPA. Pours with a fluffy head, bright orange gold body, has tons of sediment dancing throughout. Smells like hops, malt, with some spice to it, and maybe even some butterscotch too. Strong flavors of hops, a tad bit of citrus, and a strong malt backbone. A tad astringent and puckering, leaves a layer of bitterness on the center of the tongue. Not a double IPA you want to rush. Very velvety and delightful. A must try, and near the top of its class. CelticBrew (469), The Crystal Coast, North Carolina, USA Aug 24, 2008 I’ve been waiting a couple of years for this beer, finally got it via liquidsolutions.biz (thanks Matt M). Poured a hazy golden from 22 oz bomber, forming nice size foamy white head. Aroma of hops, resins, and ocean water. Extremely smooth beer, quinces one thirst for excellent beer. Hops galore, let them sing. Once again AleSmith claims excellence. Lagunitasfan (51), San Diego, California, USA Aug 23, 2008 22 oz bottle. Sweet hoppy smell. Odor not too bitter. Thick white head is hanging around for the party. A pale, dull yellow color. Lots of flavors upon first taste. Fruity and sweet was first impression. Late bitter aftertaste, like so late in arriving I was beginning to think there wasn’t going to be much of one at all. Head still dense and thick. Taste honey and hops. It’s hangin around, glomming up the back of my throat. Seriously sharp, bitter aftertaste to go with the full, round mouthfull. Very, very nice.
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