The Elder

Brew Details and Conditions:
Brewer: Russian River
Brew: Pliny The Elder
Style: American Double IPA
Alcohol: 8%
Source: 1 Pint Bottle
Glass: Medium Snifter
Temp: 50 deg
Appearance: Golden yellow
Aroma: Sour citrus fruit, lime and something sweet... maybe honey. As the Pliny warmed, I noted an scent of what I would describe as alcoholic melon.
Taste: Refreshing and surprisingly complex taste for such a low-intensity Double IPA. Right along with the scent, I taste sour and tropical fruit with some slight tones of honey and melon. Warmth seems to shed a lot taste resulting in what almost seems like a different beer all together.
Drinkability: Smooth watery body with fairly tight carbonation. Very drinkable for a double, but then again... for my tastes (and in my opinion), this beer really doesn't seem like a double IPA. The alcohol content and mouthfeel are more comparable to an IPA than a double.
Notes:
I had very high expectations for this beer. It is so well regarded that I couldn't help but expect this beer to blow my mind. I got two bottles and when I had the first, I was a bit let down. Knowing that I had high expectations, I waited until the second bottle to do my review. While Pliny is definitely better than average, I am just not super impressed with it. Its good enough that if it were easily available I would get it on occasion but its nothing that I'd drink with regularity.

I give this nice rendition of an IPA/ Double IPA  8.5 out of 10.

Eis Igian,
Randall

Mission No. 3 - Imperial/Double IPAs

This mission was great,

Hardcore IPA (explicit imperial ale) - (rated 5) - Poured like grape fruit juice, smelled close to belgium ale with a hint of lime, but did not pleasure the taste buds.  I can taste the alcohol immediately, a bit overwhelming.  It has a pleasurable aftertaste and perfect carbonated consistency, but the flavor just never sat right with me.  No matter how many times I sipped it just seemed like something was just 'off'.

Moylander Double IPA - (rated 8) - Pours with a full head, and a light citrus aroma.  This is a very sneaky beer...I can't taste the alcohol at all and it is 8.5%!  It does not have a typical, or at least typical in the double IPAs I've had so far, taste.  In fact it almost feels like it has no taste until the aftertaste, very strange.  The aftertaste lets you know it is an IPA, but that's pretty much it.  Almost too much carbonation, but this is a great beer.  I found another one I like...next.

Moylander Triple IPA - (rated 9) - the more hops the better!  I was very excited to see a triple sitting beside the double IPA by Moylander.  It has a familiar aftertaste as a Belgium ale and the crisp punch of the triple IPA, what a great combination.

Bells Hopslam Double IPA - (rated 9) - I can't get this beer in Houston and forget the specifics, but I remember that it was an amazing beer....sorry I didn't write the review when I tried it.

Harpoon Leviathan Imperial IPA - (rated 9) - This was the most surprise I had so far. I picked it up as a four pack for fairly cheep ($11) and did not expect to get the drinkability it served. Pours very crisp with little to no head. With a sweet and mild flower effervescent it is quite the delight. The aftertaste leaves a touch of warmth, but well balanced, so well balanced you are ready to take the next drink somewhat quickly. I found myself finishing a bottle before I completed the taste test...interesting. Either way, this is a big surprise and I am very happy to have found such a cheap wonderful Imperial IPA.

Bridgeport Hop Czar Imperial IPA - (rated 7) - Pours as a solid amber with little to no head. Initial whiff is a subtle pleasant flowery smell.  Initial taste is lacking with plenty of carbonation.  Aftertaste is warm and pleasant, which can almost fool me into desiring another one.

After trying these different beers I tried the 479 again and found its taste was a little lacking.  Maybe I had it in the fridge too long, I don't know.  The winner of this contest has to be the Harpoon Leviathan Imperial IPA for a great balance of cost and flavor.  The Moylander wins by its great taste, but the Leviathan gets it in the end due to its sheer value.

Till next time,

Broma Theon (the food of the Gods)

-charles

Mission No. 3: Preview

I'm already geared up for Mission Number Three, great idea Charles! I have 5 never before tried (by me) IPA'S in my fridge, chilled and ready to go.

I thought that before I got going on this mission, I'd post my current top five IPA's:

1. Bell's - Hopslam
2. Three Floyds - Dreadnaught
3. Three Floyds - Apocalypse Cow
4. Oskar Blues - Gordon 
5. Victory Brewing - Hop Wallop

After compiling this list, it led me to feel that I didn't really like being limited to a "Sweet 16" list on Our Preferences. What about numbers 17, 18 and 19? What about the fact that I like my favorite stout for entirely different reasons than I like my favorite IPA? How do I even compare KBS to Hopslam to Rochfort 8? In light of this, I abandoned the "Sweet 16" and made a categoric list. I don't intend to have a 100 beers on my favorites list... but then again, why not? If we get to that point, we could always create a preferences / profile page for each of us.

But now back to the mission. With today being a great football day, I'll begin my journey into Mission Number Three by trying at least two "new" IPA's. I can't wait!

Eis  Igian,
Randall

Mission No. 3 - Double IPAs

Wow, this is a crazy one for me.  I definitely didn't see myself enjoying IPA's, let alone their double goodness older kin the Double (or Imperial) IPA.  I love the more rich flavor (and usually alcohol percentage) in the Doubles so it is part of my new challenge.  Being that we all like IPAs now (except Laura I think), the challenge will be to try at least 5 new Double or Imperial IPAs that you have never had before and then give a final tally of your top 3 favorites even if those favorites didn't move before the Mission.  The hope is that we will be forced to travel to the undiscovered country and find some new tracks of land worthy to return to in the future...find new great beer!

Although the challenge is not very original or thought provoking, I honestly just want us all to find some amazing new Double IPAs.  Maybe I'm just selfish.  Or maybe I'm thinking of all of us since we like IPAs!!

So far the Double IPAs I've loved are (in order):
1) Gordon - Oskar Blues
2) Dreadnaught - Three Floyds
3) Hercules Double IPA - Great Divide Brewing Company
4) 471 Small Patch Double Hopped IPA

Strangely enough, Colorado has 3 of my favorite 4 so far.

Very excited to find a few more great ones to throw on the list!  Cheers and let's see what great new Double IPAs you can find for me...I mean we can all find for each other!!

"broma theon"
"food of the gods"

-charles