Full Sail Wreck the Halls

Brewed by Full Sail Brewing Company
Style: India Pale Ale (IPA)
Hood River, Oregon USA

13-Jan-06 (22 oz bottle: Obtained in trade with Larry Pitonka, thanks André!) 2005 Bottling. Trying it again this year to see if I like it any better. I don’t. Right off the bat, the sweetish, but grassy and hoppy nose isn’t especially appealing. Hops is very grassy tasting and bitter, but its brazen flavor is bordering on unpleasant for me, reminiscent of a poorly-made, bitter white wine that was fermented in stainless steel. Not much malt coming through, so the hops just dominates the flavor, which based on my opinion of the flavor of the hops is obviously an unfortunate development. Medium bodied, quite crisp on the palate, but also somewhat harsh. Only a little more than half an inch of off-white head caps this hazy, amber beer initially, but the haze disappears as the beer warms up. Plentiful carbonation rises with some haste toward the surface. Modest spotty lacing. This will be the last year I try this beer. I obviously just don’t care for the recipe, and it’s a struggle to continue drinking this beer after only finishing half the bottle. Too bad, such a great name is wasted on a mediocre and terribly unbalanced beer.

01-Feb-05 (22 oz bottle: Liquid Solutions in Tigard, OR) 2004 Bottling. So Wreck The Halls has to be one of the best beer names out there, and it makes you think the beer is not only outstanding, but possibly higher in alcohol. While this is a okay beer, the name is the best part. The flavor is mildly malty, fairly earthy and funky, moderately bitter, and minimally sweet. The funkiness seems so odd for this style beer, I have to think this isn’t a healthy bottle of beer. Nose is hoppy, with a mild sournesss. Bright amber in color. Off-white head pours to an average height, fades to a thin film and leaves some sporadic lace here and there. I look forward to retrying this beer in the future, and hopefully it will be better. (6, 3, 6, 3, 13 = 3.1)

22 oz. bottle. Pours a slightly hazy copper with a rich off-white head that lasted through the entire glass. Light aroma of yeast and citrus. Flavor is initially grapefruit and a bit of yeast. Dry, bitter hop finish. Not at all sweet.

I just do not think that spices belong in an IPA, save that for other styles that are more akin to the holidays. This was just ruined for me. Fruit rinds and that annoying spiciness. unbalanced and lack of moderation when it comes to the hops and the malt, just leaves a bland feeling in your mouth.

(Bottle, 2005 vintage) Pours a clear copper body with a moderate off-white head. Aroma of grapefruit, orange, and toasted malts. Flavor of toasted malt and mild hops with a dry, somewhat bitter finish. A bit thin and dull in the palate & flavor.

another one that pours out alot darker than i was expecting. this one has a spicy odd taste that is not unpleasant but maybe not what i was looking for in an ipa. hops and malts are there, and so is that spicy sweetness. not bad, not great, but certainly drinkable and worth trying.

On Tap atBitter Creek Ale House: Not bad! Darker than your average IPA, a clear amber with a light brown head and sticky lacing. It has a great hoppy presence that truly abides with you. It is a smooth brew and easy to drink.

On tap @ Falling Rock poured a lovely clear copper with a small, but lasting off white head. Aromas of pine, citrus and a hint of carmel. Palate was medium bodied, dry and slightly resiny. Flavors of pine, citrus,and light carmel with a dry bitter finish.

Medium copper body raises a respectable white head and offers a light haze. There’s no mistaking the brewer’s intention with that one, a direct hop punch with juicy grapefruit flesh and blatant green herbs (mint) leafiness in the front stage, adequately backed by soft malts that try to bring a biscuity aspect without ever managing. Grows more alcohol flavor than the regular IPA as it warms, but is just as dry, if oilier. Not too citric. Fun if you’re the hop infusion addict type.