Valley Brew Uberhoppy IPA

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

not quite as hopperific as advertised. also more like an american strong ale than a dbl ipa. less aromatic floral citrusy hops, although there was a little citrus, and more bitterness tempered with a big malty backbone. got it stright from the brewer, so i wouldn't think it had age on it, but you never know...seemed old.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

A solid pour into my large Tripel Karmeliet tulip produces a three-finger thick, pale tan colored head. The beer is a rich amber color that shows a lightly hazed, gold tinged, light amber color when held up to the light. The aroma is sticky with fat lupulin hop notes that lean towards concentrated tropical fruit and citrus notes. There is a backdrop of malt here that is barely noticed under the ample hop character, but it contributes subtle notes of caramelized malt, a toasted bready / grain note that is the most noticeable malt aromatic, and perhaps a hint of toffee. The up front hop character contributes notes of tangerine, definite lychee, a mix of apricot and pineapple, kumquat and something a bit like buttered orange zest (with more orange zest than butter). An essential citrus oil aroma at times can get a hint of grassiness to it and there is a supporting, though underlying current of fresh pine needles that gives the fruit notes a bit of an edge. A hint of noticeable alcohol also adds a touch of spiciness towards the end of the aroma. The aroma on this is definitely nice; though it seemed like the regular IPA was a touch more expressive in its hop aromatic notes.

Lightly sweet tasting, but quite light bodied, in fact this is down right quaffable. It almost seems like this is less thick than the regular IPA. The finish has an herbal, almost menthol like hop edge as well as a lingering bitterness that along with a touch of spicy alcohol further dries out the effect of this beer. Up front are notes of candied, mixed orange, tangerine, a touch of grapefruit and kumquat zests. There is also a lychee fruitiness and a touch of ripe apricot. This beer actually finishes a bit on the thin side; when the beer is in the mouth the quaffability and lightness is quite nice, but the finish is a bit much for the light body to stand up to. The bitterness in this beer starts as soon as the beer hits the tongue, but it is never overly aggressive in its bitterness and really lets the hop flavors take the leading hop role. I really can’t get over how light this beer is; yet it still retains enough sweetness to carry the fruity hop notes (though much of the fruity hop notes provide a perceived sweetness), I just wish that the finish didn’t clash with the light body. As I work my way through this bottle the finish can get a bit hot at times.

I wonder if there is a hint of diacetyl in this beer, it is nothing inappropriate, but there seems to be a touch of it in the nose, but only just barely. This is almost a textbook example of my preferred type of West Coast double IPA, but this actually has a bit too little body in the finish; it needs just a touch more to stand up to the hop onslaught in the finish which can be a bit to sharp and biting and makes the beer finish on a thin note; it is really the alcohol that knocks this over into the thin territory as it is a bit too warm and spicy. It is a bit weird for me as the lightness is perfect as long as the beer is on my tongue, but then there just not enough lingering palate presense to stand up to the sharper hop notes and alcohol in the finish. I have certainly focused a bit much on the finish, so don’t let that distract you from the fact that I think this is a great beer to be drinking if you have a hankering for a hop fix; it is a beer which I easily wish I had a few more fresh bottles on hand of.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 10 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 9

This one was an excellent IPA and one of Gez’s favorite :) A murky brown apperance. The aroma consists of pine, perfume, caramel, and grapefruits. The flavor has some grapefruit, pine, oranges, and brown sugar. A rather bitter beer with a good malt presence. Nice!

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 10 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 9

Dark copper coloured, small off white head. Aroma of beautifully balanced hops. Flavour of a lot of hops and fruits. Mago and nectarine all the way through. A bit harsh grassiness starts to show, so Per was most likely right about that this may be on it’s way going bad... Except for the harsh grassyness underneath, very lovely!

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 9 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

This Imperial IPA pours a dark amber color from a 12oz bottle. Small sized white foamy head. Aroma is floral hops and sweet. A medium to full bodied 2xIPA. Malts are fruity and sweet, touch of rye spiciness (?). Lots of floral and citrusy hops. Touch of spiciness, but lots of hops. Despite all the hop flavors, and this beer is full of them, its not that bitter, Very drinkable. Nice beer. Mouthfeel is full. Finish is clean and smooth, Aftertaste is slightly sweet.

Aroma: 9 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 9 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 9

Thanks to Mike from Celebrator for this one!! This one puts Dreadnaught to shame. Too bad it isn't bottled for the masses because this would quickly become tops on many peoples list. The nose is piney to the extreme, like a freshly cut tree in your glass. Appearance is that of a dark amber/mahogany color with hops oil present in the glass. Mouthfeel is very full bodied and incredibly hopped up. Hops resin, hops oil permeate this throughout. Caramel malt in it as well to help balance it out. This would make the lager-lover's of the world curl up in fetal position and cry Mommy! WOW