Russian River Blind Pig IPA

Brewed by Russian River Brewing
Style: India Pale Ale (IPA)
Santa Rosa, California USA

Light copper coloured body with a thinnish off-white head. Potent hop aroma of floral and grapefruity hops and a very potent alcohol scent. Medium-bodied; Amazing bright hoppy flavour all with a good malt backbone and a very subtle fruity flavour. Aftertaste shows nothing but hop bitterness - NICE! Overall, a great IPA, definitely worth trying if you can find it! I sampled this pint on draught at Toronado in San Francisco, California in March 2008.

Bottle. Finally. Pours a dull golden straw color with a solid inch of foamy white head that sticks around forever, lacing the hell out of the glass. Nose starts with a big smack of grapefruit- noticeable from a foot or so away from the glass right after pour. Aroma follows with oranges and tangerines. Pungent, earthy, and fruity. Flavor is immediately unique. Plenty of that fruit from the nose, with grapefruit taking the forefront as it often does. Earthy pine and resin notes fill out the hop profile. Superb bitterness-immediately aggressive, remains thoughout the flavor, never overpowering. Hop character overall shows an interesting flatness- tons of hops, but never overdone in any one aspect. Minimal sweetness or malt flavors, and the palate/finish are superbly dry and clean, with only lingering hints of bitterness. One of the more unique, interesting, and well-done IPAs available.

If someone could analyze my tastebuds and creat a beer perfet for me, I suspect it would taste a lot like this. Very, citrusy - grapefruit, to be exact - on the nose and in the mouthStick and bitter aftertaste. Its not overly thick, and what sweet malt characteristics that are present are subtle and understated. I could drink a ton of this. Thanks to robertjm for the trade. Brewed on 02/02/09, consumed 03/2809.

Bottle. Pours a golden honey color with a 2-finger white head. The head subsides to a thin layer that is soft and fluffy like cotton balls. The aroma is of bitter citrus (grapefruit) up front, that hides some sweeter fruit (pineapple?) in the background. There are also subtle hints of grass, hay, and pine in the aroma. Flavor is intense with juicy hops and has a long-lasting bitterness that sticks to the inside of the cheeks. Fantastic beer that is easy to drink - a strong younger brother to the Pliny.

Clean, golden pour with a two finger off-white head. Nice retention and lacing. Pine and highly sweet citrus nose, excellent hop profile. Medium carbonation and lingering bitterness, dry at the tail end. Pine all over this one. Pizza and this beer - delicious. Nice IPA.

Pours golden, lots of grapefruit, kiwi, pine, and some floral. Nice bitter finish. Great brew.

Pour is a clear yellow with creamy off white head. Nose of pine, and grapefruit. Taste of pineapple, with a big piny dry finish. Thin mouth feel but thick enough to feel pleasant as it roles around the tongue. Great beer!

Bottle. Pours a clear amber golden color. Aroma is of citrus and hops. Flavor is very hoppy. Bitterness is lasting. Grapefruit bite is very present. Tasty IPA. But I much prefer the ’smoother’ bitterness of Pliny the Elder.