3.6 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 14/20
Bottle shared by Jonno. Nice. Pumpkin colored, off-sided head. Nose was big, slightly oxidized smelling, with sharp edges of grapefruit. Flavors are ribbon candy & carmalized sugar lightly coating a dry grapefruity center. Tastes a lot more syrupy than the body actually is...maybe due to the attentuated honey and the dryness of grapefruit character of the hops combining with the deceiving residual sweetness of the malt bill. In any event, it’s most certainly interesting...but something I think I would have to get used to before falling in love with, but the potential is there.
4 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 16/20
Big caramel malt sweet nose with floral and citrus hop aromas. Clear copper orange pour, huge frothy off-white head that is persistent and leaves major lacing. Nice medium caramel and honey sweetness with medium grapefruit hop bitterness. Medium body with lively carbonation. Malt on attack with a quick hop follow through into the middle. Long balanced finish leaning toward citrus and floral hop bitterness. Creamy slick texture. Slightly dry/astringent finish. Delicious. Looking forward to a slightly fresher bottle.
4.6 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 10/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 20/20
This beer is awesome! High alcohol doesn’t have to taste like it. floral and easy.
4.7 AROMA 10/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 10/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 19/20
On tap in Bloomington, IN. Had this some time in January 2009.
A: Bright orange and slightly cloudy. A white head with glimmers of the beer in it.
S: Simply put, this is the most amazing nose I’ve ever encountered. An overabundance of hops combined with a clear scent of honey, and a powerful malt base to back it all up. I know this scent will be good in a month or so, so I really need to savor it while it’s fresh.
T: Much like the nose, this is utterly without parallel (sorry to Mr. Pliny, I haven’t had the opportunity yet). This is how every DIPA should be made. The malt is certainly there, but does nothing to even content with the luscious hops that come on. Simply brilliant. The honey is certainly a nice touch, too.
M: Medium bodied with good carbonation.
D: Could be the only beer I’d ever drink again, if Bell’s were so gracious as to devote 50% of their capacity to this one.
3.9 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 17/20
really nice beer, amber pour, nice foam. nose is citrus some resin, booze. flavor is grapefruit and citrus with somemalt to back it up/ booze is there but in the background.
4.2 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 18/20
Draft and bottle on numerous occasions but for this review, draft. Pours a very nice looking amber color with a nice 1 finger white head. Good lace already. Nice floral and citrus rind hop aromas in the nose. Slightly sweet up front mostly I would think from the honey and then there is a strong hop presence on your tongue. Citrus rind, grapefruit and a touch of pine. Nice medium mouthfeel. When fresh this is one of the best IPA’s around.
4.6 AROMA 9/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 10/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 18/20
A masterpiece. Pours a beautiful cloudy gold with strong citrus and pine olfactory bliss. The honey provides a delightful twist and balance that is rare for its class.
4.1 AROMA 9/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 17/20
Appearance - clear brassy-golden body, moderate fine-bubbly white head. Aroma - nice big nose, has bite, pronounced citrus & piney hops, sweet caramel, honey, touch of fresh wood, spice. Palate/Flavour - soft foamy body, some tangy bite, medium presence, flavours reflect the nose, great balance, cloying woody hoppy finish. Overall - an IIPA of great flavour and balance, and perilously easy to drink for 10%.
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