 BlueDevil0206 (122), Durham, North Carolina, USA
Jul 3, 2005
Wow, what a surprise. Rolled up to the Captial Ale House (Innsbrook) for a Richmond beer run. To our surprise the front cover of the beer menu listed a few Double IPAs and Pliny was one of them. Didn’t see this coming.
Draught. Appeared a orange copperish color with a small white head. Lacing was decent. Aroma was bursting with hops. Everywhere hops. Citrus, piney, floral, spicy hops. Hop heaven. Oddly enough, some great bready/caramel malt notes were in the aroma as well. How they made its way through the hops, I do not know. Flavor was equally hoppy. Floral and citrussy and intense. Bitterness was pleasantly lingering and in your face. Some moderate ester profile was present: slight apple and peach. Doughy malt and some caramel sweetness was also present though it finishes dry without any astringency as I would expect from a beer as heavily hopped as this. Body is perfect for a DIPA and perfectly silky smooth with perfect carbonation. Man I loved this. Side by side with Ruination, 90 minute and Stoudts DIPA, the latter 3 tasted like Sierra Nevada. Excellent beer. Yes this is a 5 to me though let me note that it doesn’t top or equal Dark Lord. It is just the top DIPA that I have had.
KneeDeep (5), sdfsd, Tajikistan
does not count  Oct 7, 2008 Rather an unimpressive specemin unfortunately. This much overhyped brew is pleasing on the eye but lacks any real substance. With a particularly disappointing after-finish and comparatively weak punch it doesn’t get my vote at all I’m afraid. Weighing in at a measley 8% this causes the drinker to stay sober for longer that is mean’t to be and we all know that this is not a good thing (any self respecting Diamond White drinker should be well into a four way brawl with members of the law enforcement agencies before even three litres of this can even be consumed).
Taste is also a letdown, it simply doesn’t go down well with a vindaloo or a big mac. Three thumbs down. Also has a shit name!
redbarista (36), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Oct 6, 2008 Draught at Bella Vista Opening, Phila.: Wow-- this pushed me over the edge. A tremendously tasty, hazed over beer that just fills up your mouth and completely takes over. After two little tasters of it, I made the mistake of going for a whole pint as the party was breaking up. Definitely a powerful but oddly drinkable brew.
BelgianBeerGal (974), Sabbatical in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Oct 5, 2008 Bottled. Phenomenal DIPA, unbelievably easy drinking for the type. Easily the sweetest hops I have ever tasted. Pours a hazy golden orange colour with a small white head and sticky lacing. Arom is ruby red grapefruit hops and mandarin oranges. I was expecting a hop punch in the teeth, but this was super smooth. Try this if at all possible. I can only imagine what it tastes like super fresh at the brewery.
f351c4v (225), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Oct 5, 2008 On draught @ Toronado. Pours a clear golden color with a small white head. Great hop aroma, very crisp, but deep, complex, even some nuttiness to be found. Mildly sticky mouthfeel, body is crisp and refreshing. Not a violent hop assault, very well balanced and drinkable. Great beer.
beerbill (1312), Laurel, New York, USA
Oct 5, 2008 First of all, a huge thank you to dirty_martini for scoring me such a fresh bottle. 500 ml bottle dated 9/2/2008. Pours a slightly hazy gold with a large white head that lasted until the end of the glass and left thick coats of lace with each sip. The aroma of this beer is in a word, incredible. It took me four or five minutes to absorb and process everything my nose was receiving. Grapefruit, mango, peaches, and prickly pear cactus are all well represented. The flavor is malt up front, followed by bold pine and grapefruit. The finish is bitter but not astringent with some mild dryness as well. This is a thoroughly enjoyable beer. Thank you again, Larry!
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