Grand Teton XX Sweetgrass Double IPA

Brewed by Grand Teton Brewing Co.
Style: Imperial/Double IPA
Victor, Idaho USA

Courtesy redlight. Pours a hazy amber color with a small white head. Smells of sweet malts, hops, and some yeasty characters. I was expecting more hops, but it tasted like it had a little age to it, although it was a 2006 vintage. The taste was much the same, the hops were there, but nowhere near at the level of a double IPA. Strong malt presence, with a bittersweet finish, which lingered into the aftertaste. Not a bad beer, but not true to style in my opinion.

No head. Hoppy astringent alcohol flavor. Not much else. Poorly balanced. I had high hopes for this one. Really not very good when compared to other IIPAs. At $11.65 this is a rip off plus it was a huge pain in the ass to open to boot. Stupid wax and a swing top. Not very impressed with Grand Teton. Their best beer appears to be Bitch Creek. Michael Jacson is crazy. Can’t believe he wrote "Aroma: Floral. A country house with vases of wild flowers. Beeswax. Leather armchairs and polished oak furniture. Palate: Thick-cut bitter orange marmalade on well-done toast. A hint of honey, toasted almonds on marzipan-filled croissants (to warm the entente cordiale). Comment: Huge, beautifully rounded and smooth, and worth the difficulty to unleash it. I really had to wrestle with mine, all that wire and wax…." Huh????????????????

Bottle. Almost clear and amber coloured with a small off-white head. Very well balanced with notes of malt, citrus, flowers, pines and caramel. Really hoppy - YIR!

Stopped at the Grand Teton Brewing Company near Victor, Idaho and picked up three of the Cellar Reserve brews for the RBSG ’07 Grand Tasting. Though labeled as a Double IPA, this is still the Imperial IPA. Pours a cloudy dark amber brew with a thin off-white head. Aroma of caramel malt, floral hops, and a touch of citrus. Taste is more of a caramel malt brew with a slight citrus flavor. Medium bodied, lightly carbonated with a light bitter aftertaste. After the finish is when the hop bitterness kicks in. An interesting Double IPA.

(1L Bottle) Pours a clear amber body with a small white head. Aroma of citrus, caramel, toasted malt, grass, earthiness, and floral/herbal notes. Flavor of sweet fresh citrus, caramel, and lightly bitter hoppiness.

RBSG 2007 Grand Tasting

After tasting all of these imperial stouts, I was ready for a good hoppy double IIPA. With Grand Teton’s version, there was a vegetal aroma, with more malt added than in some. Also, lighter in ABV than many IIPA’s. So this was not as hoppy as I’d expect. DIdn’t quite hit the spot. There are many better beers to go for in this style.

Slightly hazy dark amber body with a small off-white head. Sweet floral and citrus hops aroma with some light caramel. Sweet caramel flavor with a citrus ending.

RBSG 2007: Bottle: Poured a light copper with a white head. Aroma, citrus and floral hops, pale malts. Flavor, citrus, pale malts, some floral notes, not too much bitterness though. Balanced I guess.