Big Grove Brewery Reviews

wlajwl	3.6 Big Grove Imperial Jam Aroma is passion fruit/guava and a hint of slightly off sweetness. The flavor is passion fruit, malts and a sweet tangerine/strawberry finish. Wednesday, April 3, 2024
wlajwl	3.7 Big Grove Strawberry Jam Aroma is strawberries/cherries and earthy. The flavor is fresh strawberries, malts, fruit/cherries and a sweet/tart finish. Sunday, February 18, 2024
fidelis83	3.9 Big Grove HDTV Cloudy gold to orange pour with a two finger creamy white head. Aroma of citrus, guava-forward tropical fruit, sweet vanilla caramel, and a little dank. Flavor is sweet cookie, caramel and biscuit malt, fruity and citrus hops, tropical fruit dank, musty floral hops and a little pine. Medium body, creamy feel, medium, blanking carbonation and just a little hop acid bite. Very nice, could use some more bitterness though. Friday, January 19, 2024
fidelis83	3.4 Big Grove Carrera 4.0 Hazy gold to orange pour with a three finger, creamy to chunky off-white head. Aroma of soft citrus, doughy yeast, smooth, pineapple-forward tropical fruit and hints of sugar cookie. Flavor is floral fruity and tree fruit notes up front, Five Alive citrus punch, mango and pineapple-forward tropical fruit, a little red grapefruit and some sugar cookie. Light to medium body, creamy to chalky feel, with a medium, slightly sharp carbonation and a nice hop acid bite. Pretty tasty overall. However, it's seriously lacking in any sort of bitterness, which would kick it up a notch for me. Friday, January 5, 2024
wlajwl	3.7 Big Grove Carrera 4.0 Aroma is fruit, citrus/floral and almost spicy yeast. The flavor is fruit, malts, a small hint of vanilla and a spicy hop/slightly effervescent finish. Sunday, December 31, 2023
drpimento	4 Big Grove Royal Eddy A treat from Brad and Angela, thanks guys! Aromas and flavors are citrus, stone fruit, resin and a bit of MJ. Flavors are similar to nose, slightly more sweet than bitter and carbonation leans soft but still very drinkable. Sunday, November 5, 2023
wlajwl	3.8 Big Grove HIFI Aroma is dank/nutty hops and a hint of off musty. The flavor is fruit, citrus, malt and a bitter/slightly nutty hop finish. Sunday, November 5, 2023
djd07	4.4 Big Grove Richard the Whale: Golden Ticket (2022) Bottle thanks to Russell. Pours black with small tan head that lasts. The aroma is strong coconut, chocolate, vanilla, wood, bourbon. Thick, chewy roast, strong vanilla, coconut, roast, milk chocolate, boozy, enjoyed this. Thursday, October 19, 2023
djd07	3.3 Big Grove Festbier Can thanks to Paul. Pours a cloudy orange gold with medium off white head that lasts. The aroma is biscuit, toast, toffee. Slick body, toffee, biscuit, sweet finish, good. Sunday, October 1, 2023
saw2k	4.3 Big Grove Moon Rabbit Sunday, September 24, 2023
fidelis83	3.5 Big Grove Sunburn Hazy gold to amber pour with a one finger creamy white head that has good retention. Aroma of citrus, bready malt, a hint of cereal, spicy citrus and grapefruit. Flavor is cereal, red grapefruit, floral and pithy citrus, a little mango and bread. Light to medium body, medium carbonation, off dry, chalky feel. Decent overall. Honestly I don't know that I would have picked out the grapefruit, beyond a general lightly bitter citrus without having it in the name. Wednesday, September 13, 2023
fidelis83	3.2 Big Grove Fifth Year Clear gold pour with a one finger white head. Aroma of bright tropical and floral notes and a little bread. Flavor is bready malt, cookie, oily grain and some tropical fruit. Light body, light carbonation, slightly slick. Decent overall, but it could use more carbonation and there's a weird oily grain off note. Wednesday, September 13, 2023
Brigadier	4 Big Grove Royal Eddy 12 ounce can A bright and playful imperial IPA might not be quote on par with the best Iowa hop bombs (that would be Toppling Goliath) but puts up a good case for looking beyond Decorah. While not a brewery I plan to go out of my way to sample I look forward to revisiting them whenever possible. If you stumble across some fresh cans treat yourself to a hidden gem from the Midwest. AROMA / APPEARANCE Bright lemons, general citrus, and cool bitterness soften the air as they form a bitter haze. The vibrant nose goes well with the ivory head and cloudy golden base beneath. FLAVOR / PALATE Lemon meringue, pine, and glazed citrus soothe the tongue. The full bodied rich texture builds slowly to its aggressive bitter finish. While not as intense as a true West Coast style imperial IPA it isn't exactly subtle. The bright floral finish caps off a balanced and well rounded release that is well worth a draft pour at the brewery or a couple of a single on your way through the state. Tuesday, September 5, 2023
wlajwl	3.8 Big Grove Sunburn Aroma is fruit/grapefruit and pungent hops. The flavor is fruit/fresh grapefruit, malts and a dryish/hoppy finish. Saturday, August 12, 2023
ozzy70	3.6 Big Grove Double Blackberry Sidehill Sour Can from John’s Grocery, Iowa City. Poured reddish/purple, white head. Aroma of blackberries, berries, sugary. Taste was sour, blackberry, fruity. Saturday, August 12, 2023
wlajwl	3.7 Big Grove Fifth Year Aroma is fruit and sweet mangoes/melons. The flavor is fruit/mild mangoes, malts and a spicy hop/big melon sweet finish. Saturday, August 12, 2023
jcr	3.4 Big Grove Easy Eddy Friday, August 4, 2023
fidelis83	3.4 Big Grove The Juicy Way Cloudy orange pour with a three finger chunky eggshell head. Big juicy citrus and fruity aroma, light biscuit and a sort of perfumey floral-fruit-citrus thing. Flavor is grapefruit, sweet citrus, tree fruit, sugar cookie and floral notes. Medium body, light to medium carbonation, juicy, but slightly chalky feel throughout. Pretty good, kinda weird fruity notes, that I didn't really like. Monday, May 29, 2023
fidelis83	3.3 Big Grove Eddy Tron 3030 Cloudy orange to slightly peach pour with a one finger creamy white head that has great retention. Aroma of citrus, dusty grain and a hint of caramel and bready malt. Flavor is a really sweet, smooth, muted citrus muffin-kinda affair. Good, but kinda boring. Medium body, creamy, light carbonation, probably could use more carbonation. Sunday, May 7, 2023
wlajwl	3.7 Big Grove The Juicy Way Aroma is citrus hops and grapes. The flavor is fruit, malts and a slightly sweet grape/spicy hop finish. Thursday, April 13, 2023
wlajwl	3.8 Big Grove Eddy Tron 3030 Aroma is fruit, yeast, hops and earthy malts. The flavor is fruit/tropical fruit, malts and a mild/medium sweet ci/spicy hop finish. Thursday, April 13, 2023
drywallman	3.3 Big Grove Arms Race Pale Ale Pours from the can with an orange hue . Long lasting white rocky head. Malt up front is rich and bready. Hops are slightly resinous. Goes down a little too well at 6.9%. Very good. Wednesday, March 22, 2023
fidelis83	3 Big Grove Citrus Surfer Haynes pale gold pour with a thin white head. Aroma of sweet and bright citrus, wheat and floral notes Flavor is mostly the same. Light body, medium to heavy carbonation, off dry feel. Decent but not interesting. Sunday, March 19, 2023
Brigadier	3.3 Big Grove 1939 Amber Ale 12 ounce can A basic amber ale does little apart from what it should. One of those beers that is pretty forgettable soon after finishing it was at least a nice freebie. On the other hand it is good enough to encourage revisiting Big Grove's other releases in the future. AROMA / APPEARANCE A coppery body percolates with a gentle bit of depth. The nose isn't very deep though sufficient amounts of caramel and malt temper the experience. FLAVOR / PALATE Caramel, malt, and a very subtle earthy aspect set the backdrop for a basic profile. The mouthfeel is refreshing but forgettable. Overall this doesn't stand out in any major ways. If you have tried one well made amber you have probably tried something very similar. Wednesday, March 15, 2023
fidelis83	2.9 Big Grove Que Sera Sera Berliner Weiss Hazy gold pour with almost no head. Aroma of wheat, light lactic tartness and doughy yeast. Flavor is the same, heavy on the doughy yeast, with a light sulfurous note. Light body, chalky, lightly acidic, fairly heavy carbonation. Not great overall. Saturday, March 11, 2023
Brigadier	3.2 Big Grove Boomtown 12 ounce can Everyone likes a freebie especially when it gives a chance to sample a few beers from a brewery with limited contact. My past history with Big Grove had me hoping for a little more. Even so this is a respectable golden ale and would be fine while passing through Iowa. AROMA / APPEARANCE The light malt and hay waft upwards with gentleness. The bitter crisp texture pairs well with the soft honey colored body as well. FLAVOR / PALATE A cool crisp mouthfeel skates over the tongue. Airy malt and short lived straw work their magic before evaporating on the throat. There is little depth here but enough to keep things interesting to the end. Overall this might be an average Midwestern session beer - not great but good enough for a daily drinker if you happen to live in Big Grove's market. Sunday, March 5, 2023
wlajwl	3.6 Big Grove Hopocalypse Vol. 7: Juggernaut Aroma is fruit and funky hops. The flavor is citrus, malts and a slightly alcoholic/fruit/punch hop finish. Saturday, February 25, 2023
fidelis83	3.7 Big Grove Hopocalypse Vol. 7: Juggernaut Hazy gold-orange pour with a two finger creamy off white head that has great retention and leaves nice lacing. Aroma of fruity hops, orange slice candy, berry notes, spicy citrus, light bready and cookie notes. Flavor is sweet bready and cookie malt, sweet berry and citrus hops, hop dust, and fruity floral notes. Medium to heavy body, super smooth creamy feel, very light, blanketing carbonation, and a fresh hop dust bite that really hits the back of the throat. Pretty good overall, but it's a bit too sweet and under carbonated. Friday, February 24, 2023
fidelis83	3.9 Big Grove Hopocalypse Vol. 7: Shadow Dark brown pour with a two finger creamy to chunky grayish tan head that has great retention. Aroma of roast, nutty notes, sharp citrus hops, dank and light herbal notes. Flavor is roast, roasted nuts, a little char and some kinda faint, but nice pine, grapefruit and dank hops. Medium body creamy entry, medium carbonation, off dry, but slightly creamy finish with a mild hop acid bite. Good stuff overall, could use a little more bitterness and flavoring hops. Friday, February 24, 2023
wlajwl	4.4 Big Grove Hopocalypse Vol. 7: Shadow Aroma is roasted malts and citrus hops. The flavor is roasted malts/close to a stout and a bitter hop/acidic finish. Friday, February 24, 2023
rennat42	3.1 Big Grove Experimental Eddy - Vol. 2 Can. A- Grapefruit, pineapple, hoppy. A- Gold color, slightly hazy liquid, white head. T- Pineapple, grapefruit, tropical citrus, bitter. P- Medium body, average texture, average carbonation, juicy finish. O- Definitely a juicy ipa without being too NE style or something crazy. Pretty well done! Wednesday, February 8, 2023
wlajwl	3.5 Big Grove Citrus Surfer Aroma is citrus/slight soda and wheat. The flavor is wheat/grains a mildly sweet/l citrus/slight soda finish. Sunday, February 5, 2023
wlajwl	3.6 Big Grove Sweet Tooth Hopocalypse Vol. 7 2023 Aroma is bitter citrus/hops and slightly off putting. The flavor is fruit, malts a spicy hop/Capri sun mildly sweet finish. Friday, January 20, 2023
wlajwl	3.9 Big Grove Calypso Hopocalypse Vol. 7 2023 Aroma is yeast, slightly earthy malts/grains and funky/bitter citrus hops. The flavor is fruit, malts and a complex tropical/big citrus/slight fruit punch finish. Friday, January 20, 2023
fidelis83	3.5 Big Grove Calypso Hopocalypse Vol. 7 2023 Hazy gold pour with a tall chunky to creamy bright white head that has great retention and leaves nice lacing. Aroma of sharp citrus, spicy citrus, toasty grain, sesame, a little pine and dank. Flavor is sweet and juicy citrus, sesame, blackberry, light caramel, mineral, sharp citrus and hints of papaya and guava forward tropical fruit. Medium body, slightly syrupy, light carbonation off dry, sticky finish. Pretty good overall. Saturday, January 14, 2023
fidelis83	3.8 Big Grove Sweet Tooth Hopocalypse Vol. 7 2023 Cloudy yellow-gold pour with a tall chunky to creamy off white head. Aroma of juicy citrus and tropical fruit, hop dust, sweet dank, under ripe strawberry, hints of vanilla and some sharp fruity floral notes. Flavor is sweet and juicy citrus, guava forward tropical fruit, faint yuzu, lemon curd, a little vanilla and cereal and a nice juicy citrus punch finish. Medium body, creamy to syrupy feel, light carbonation. Really good stuff, but it could use a little more bitterness and carbonation. Saturday, January 14, 2023
wlajwl	3.9 Big Grove Summer Jam Aroma is blackberries/raspberries and grains/malts. The flavor is raspberries/blackberries, malts, slight salt and a mildly sweet/puckering tart finish. Sunday, January 8, 2023
drpimento	3.2 Big Grove Wade Wisely Aromas are subdued and dark malt, roast, coffee, fudge plus a little molasses. Flavors are very much like nose, coffee comes out more along with a touch more sweet. Nothing special at all. Not bad just unimaginative. Friday, December 9, 2022
Drake	3.6 Big Grove West Eddy 12 ounce can thanks to Brigadier, 12/4/22. Hazy orange, medium white head, good retention. Aroma of leafy hops, grapefruit. Taste is tangerine, grapefruit, pale malt. Juicy, mild bitterness. Monday, December 5, 2022
wlajwl	3.8 Big Grove Experimental Eddy Vol. 2 Aroma is orange juice and a hint of mint/pine. The flavor is complex fruit, mild stone fruit/dark fruit and a mildly sweet/citrus hop/dryish finish. Thursday, December 1, 2022
wlajwl	3.8 Big Grove Freezy Eddy Aroma of fruit/floral hops. The flavor is citrus/fruit, malts and a slightly tropical/bitter hop finish. Thursday, December 1, 2022
drpimento	4 Big Grove A Greener State Of Mind The aromas are a nice blend of citrus and resin hops with some pale malt in the back. Flavors are similar to nose but better. Citrusy sweet with good carbonation and body. Finish follows flavors. A bit dank also. Nice beer. Friday, November 18, 2022
drpimento	3.8 Big Grove West Eddy Aromas are fresh resin and citrus hops with a malt background. Flavors are bittersweet with lots of fresh citrus and resin hops. Full bodied and good drinking. Friday, November 11, 2022
wlajwl	3.7 Big Grove Tropical Jam Aroma is big/sweet pineapple/tropical fruit. The flavor is pineapple/tangerine, malts and a sweet/very tart finish. Sunday, November 6, 2022
jandd1983	3.5 Big Grove Easy Eddy Can. It poured a hazy golden color with a white head. The aroma was of hops, tropical fruits and pine. The taste was similar to the aroma with more hops, tropical fruits, pine, mangoes, some grass with medium carbonation and a nice bitter sweet aftertaste. Tasty. Tuesday, September 6, 2022
wlajwl	3.9 Big Grove Experimental Eddy Aroma is fruit/pungent hops and a hint of sweet vanilla. The flavor is fruit/citrus, mild caramel, malts and a grapefruit/bitter hop finish. Sunday, August 14, 2022
wlajwl	3.8 Big Grove Aussie Eddy Aroma is nutty/funky hops. The flavor is citrus/fruit, slightly earthy malts and a tropical fruit/hop resin finish. Sunday, August 14, 2022
fidelis83	3.8 Big Grove Experimental Eddy Hazy peach-gold pour with a two finger creamy to chunky white head that has great retention. Aroma of bright citrus and tropical fruit, tart melon, biscuit and vanilla custard. Flavor is sweet tropical fruit and citrus up front, nice melon and vanilla after that, some biscuit and honey. Light to medium body, very creamy although slightly chalky feel in the finish, light carbonation. Really good overall, could definitely use more punch and bitterness to the hop flavors Saturday, August 13, 2022
fidelis83	3.5 Big Grove Aussie Eddy Cloudy gold pour with a tall, chunky, creamy, off white head. Aroma of bright citrus and sharp tropical fruit, bright citrus, a hint of orange rolls. Flavor is dull floury biscuit, light, sharp tropical fruit, sweet cookie, and a hint of caramel and berry. Light body off dry, slightly syrupy, light carbonation. Good stuff. Tuesday, August 9, 2022
saw2k	3.8 Big Grove Festbier Sunday, August 7, 2022