Virtual Craft Beer Tasting Club » Discussions

West of the Mississippi IPA's tasting....

• johnnyirishman

  

  Member
   

  March 11, 2009

  Pliny the Elder
  Russian River Brewing Co.
  Santa Rosa, CA
  
  A: Very clear copper body under about a half to 3/4 inch white head. Good retention and lace.
  
  S: Very hoppy, but with an identifiable caramel malt backbone. Hop is a mix of earthy, piney and citrus hops. I expected much more citrus, but am very surprised at the balance. Maybe a little underwhelming, but the balance helps make up for it.
  
  T: This where the beer starts to earn its keep. Everything is perfectly, and I mean perfectly, balanced. Malt backbone is there, followed by a nice citrus hop twang, with a finish of mild pine and mostly grapefruit, rind-like citrus. The bitter finish perfectly done it that it hits you but doesn't squeeze any of the other tastes out. Some spice mixed in as well, and I even pick up some mint type character here and there.
  
  M/D: Medium bodied, slick on the tongue with a touch of prickly carbonation. No hint of booze. Nicely done. Drinkability is exceptional. This one could be enjoyed all night. Great beer.
  
  I still have 4 more sitting in my fridge, calling me...taunting me....
  
  tata for now...
  
  

  Pliny the Elder
  Russian River Brewing Co.
  Santa Rosa, CA
  
  A: Very clear copper body under about a half to 3/4 inch white head. Good retention and lace.
  
  S: Very hoppy, but with an identifiable caramel malt backbone. Hop is a mix of earthy, piney and citrus hops. I expected much more citrus, but am very surprised at the balance. Maybe a little underwhelming, but the balance helps make up for it.
  
  T: This where the beer starts to earn its keep. Everything is perfectly, and I mean perfectly, balanced. Malt backbone is there, followed by a nice citrus hop twang, with a finish of mild pine and mostly grapefruit, rind-like citrus. The bitter finish perfectly done it that it hits you but doesn't squeeze any of the other tastes out. Some spice mixed in as well, and I even pick up some mint type character here and there.
  
  M/D: Medium bodied, slick on the tongue with a touch of prickly carbonation. No hint of booze. Nicely done. Drinkability is exceptional. This one could be enjoyed all night. Great beer.
  
  I still have 4 more sitting in my fridge, calling me...taunting me....
  
  tata for now...
  
  
• oregonbeerlover

  

  Member
   

  March 14, 2009

  Just tried ol' Pliny and wow, it was good. Very interesting flavors. Almost had a tropical taste to it. Felt like I was in the islands...maybe it was the weather today...this cold windy rainy shit, making me long for an island paradise. Either way, great beer, agree with Johnny's take on it.

  Just tried ol' Pliny and wow, it was good. Very interesting flavors. Almost had a tropical taste to it. Felt like I was in the islands...maybe it was the weather today...this cold windy rainy shit, making me long for an island paradise. Either way, great beer, agree with Johnny's take on it.
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  March 14, 2009

  Blind Pig IPA, 6.10% ABV
  Russian River Brewing Company, Santa Rosa, CA
  
  The Blind Pig IPA from Russian River Brewing Company in Santa Rosa, CA pours out a deep, golden yellow with some cloud and a dense white head. On the nose there is a lot of grapefruit, orange rind and pine. In the mouth the hop bite comes first with grapefruit and pine being the strongest of the bitter flavors. There is also some malt sweetness but it is very subtle. Medium bodied. Fantastic lacing. Good carbonation. Some oil to the mouthfeel. Good hop bite on the finish. A crisp, clean, refreshing brew that is excellent.
  
  

  Blind Pig IPA, 6.10% ABV
  Russian River Brewing Company, Santa Rosa, CA
  
  The Blind Pig IPA from Russian River Brewing Company in Santa Rosa, CA pours out a deep, golden yellow with some cloud and a dense white head. On the nose there is a lot of grapefruit, orange rind and pine. In the mouth the hop bite comes first with grapefruit and pine being the strongest of the bitter flavors. There is also some malt sweetness but it is very subtle. Medium bodied. Fantastic lacing. Good carbonation. Some oil to the mouthfeel. Good hop bite on the finish. A crisp, clean, refreshing brew that is excellent.
  
  
• Mark

  

  Leader
   

  March 15, 2009

  Organic Revolution XI Imperial IPA, 8.60% ABV
  Butte Creek Brewing Co., Chico, CA
  
  The Revolution XI Imperial IPA from Butte Creek Brewing Company in Chico, CA pours out a burnt orange in color with a good deal of clound and a thick, off white head that hangs around briefly. On the nose there is more pine than citrus along with caramel. In the mouth both the caramel and pine hop bite come first followed by some citrus notes that linger and a bit more sweetness, almost like lavender honey. Medium bodied. Nice lacing. Good carbonation. Good oil in the rich mouthfeel. The finish is more citrus with a good bite and hints of sweetness. A very nice certified organic brew.
  
  

  Organic Revolution XI Imperial IPA, 8.60% ABV
  Butte Creek Brewing Co., Chico, CA
  
  The Revolution XI Imperial IPA from Butte Creek Brewing Company in Chico, CA pours out a burnt orange in color with a good deal of clound and a thick, off white head that hangs around briefly. On the nose there is more pine than citrus along with caramel. In the mouth both the caramel and pine hop bite come first followed by some citrus notes that linger and a bit more sweetness, almost like lavender honey. Medium bodied. Nice lacing. Good carbonation. Good oil in the rich mouthfeel. The finish is more citrus with a good bite and hints of sweetness. A very nice certified organic brew.
  
  
• ilovebeer

  

  Member
   

  March 19, 2009

  Leafer Madness Imperial Pale Ale
  Beer Valley Brewing Co. - Ontario, OR
  9.0% ABV
  
  This brew pours out cloudy almost orange color. Virtually no head.
  
  Smells like a pine forest with peach trees in the middle of it...interesting combo.
  
  Very hoppy taste, some fruit, nice maltiness to offset the hop bitterness. A very interesting tasting brew. For a 9% ABV not overpowering. Very good well balanced brew that I will seek out again.

  Leafer Madness Imperial Pale Ale
  Beer Valley Brewing Co. - Ontario, OR
  9.0% ABV
  
  This brew pours out cloudy almost orange color. Virtually no head.
  
  Smells like a pine forest with peach trees in the middle of it...interesting combo.
  
  Very hoppy taste, some fruit, nice maltiness to offset the hop bitterness. A very interesting tasting brew. For a 9% ABV not overpowering. Very good well balanced brew that I will seek out again.