Vortex I - Pisgah Brewing Co.

charlzm

California

2.88/5  rDev -28.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3

Consumed on draft on September 2nd, 2012 at Barley's Taproom, Asheville, NC. Reviewed from notes.

Deep burnished copper color with a very fine head of off-white froth.

No aroma to speak of.

Very thick, sweet herbal flavor, somewhat like cherry cough syrup. The flavor goes on forever. Bitterness not as noticeable as promised (at over 100 IBUs, if the brewery is to be believed) though there is a lot of wet, earthy, floral hop stuff going on for hours in the aftertaste. A bit overpowering.

Mouthfeel is a little on the flat side and not especially thick.

Not sure what they were going for with this beer, but it's a real challenge to drink even a small-ish pour of this one. I have had much bigger beers that drink smaller than this one.

Serving type: on-tap

05-10-2013 19:44:49 | More by charlzm

jifigz

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to Commis for the trade and hooking me up with this one.

The appearance is a dark and deep orange with rich color. The head is slightly off white and lingers for a while, even though it was rather small. The aroma is pretty mild, but this beer is rather cold. It would have a greater aroma, and I would enjoy it more, if it was a little warmer. The taste is rich with spicy and herbal hops. The initial taste is of a honey like malt sweetness which quickly gives way to some hops and a little alcohol bite. The finish is hop flavor and bitterness. The MF is fairly dry and light bodied compared to other "Strong Ales" but very enjoyable. The lighter body makes it seem much more enjoyable on a hot day.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2012 13:50:02 | More by jifigz

Wolfpack2005

North Carolina

4.13/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-Poured an amber/orange color that is somewhat hazy. Minimal amount of head that didn't linger very long.

S-Not as strong on the nose as I was expecting but, picking up a sweet caramel malt and brown sugar smell with a faint hop aroma.

T-The sweetness of caramel/toffee malts is the first taste to make itself known. Also detecting dark fruit and oak notes as well. Then leads into a light piney hops flavor that balances the sweet malts nicely. Finishing with a mild alcohol taste too, especially as it begins to warm up.

M-A medium body with low carbonation that make this beer pretty smooth.

O-This is a great hybrid beer that falls somewhere in between an Imperial IPA and barleywine. Despite living only 3.5 hours from the brewery this is the first chance I've had to sample there beer, I will definitely be seeking their beers out in the future.

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2012 00:55:31 | More by Wolfpack2005

corby112

Pennsylvania

4.08/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy dark amber/orange color with a two finger frothy white head that has pretty good retention, slowly fading into a lasting ring. Sporadic lacing left behind.

Citrus and floral hop aroma with hints of pine, grapefruit, orange peel and pineapple. Subtle malt backbone with Graham and biscuit.

On the lighter end of medium bodied with a blast of bitter and sweet hops up front that linger throughout into a dry finish. Lots of floral and citrus hop flavor with hints of mango, pineapple and grapefruit as well as some pine needle and a spicy, grassy character. Nice malt backbone that provides balance without overpowering. Hints of caramel, biscuit and Graham cracker. Wellmbalanced and pretty quaffable.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2011 08:47:16 | More by corby112

mikeyv35

New York

4.15/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Date: 06/12/2011
Vintage: 2009
Glass: DFH Chalice
Type: 22oz. Bottle

Pours a light brown mahoghany in color w/ a skim coat white head that produces light lacing. Aromas of caramel, toffee, oak, some dark fruits, and a touch of pine. The taste was caramel/toffee up front, leading into oak, and finishing w/ hop bitterness and basement mustiness. Medium bodied and creamy/lush as all Pisgah brews are. Pretty easy to drink, but will definately kick you in the rear end.

Overall, very good, but not what I expected at all. I realize I did not drink this fresh by any means, but stylistically this is without a doubt an American Barleywine.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2011 21:42:10 | More by mikeyv35

Tripphop

Virginia

3.8/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Very good looking beer. Reddish orange color with good clarity. Head is generous, an off white color. Fine carbonation sits around the edges through the whole drink. Aromas are stale and unappealing, smells like old musty hops. Taste is redeeming, loads of carmal malt and a distinct styling to the Pisgah lineup. Finish is bright and bitter with resinous hops and the Pisgah yeast doughiness.
A good beer, but I prefer their IPA's and stouts.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2011 22:07:42 | More by Tripphop

avalon07

South Carolina

4.13/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured from a bottle to a pint glass. Had an amber color and a slightly cloudy consistency. There was an inch of foamy, long-lasting head. Very good lacing.

S: A very aromatic beer: A strong citrus presence along with malt, pine and alcohol.

T: Tasted of citrus (lemon), malt in the finish, pine, and a little hops. The alcohol is there, front and center, as well. A complex and forceful flavor.

M: A good amount of carbonation with a somewhat slick finish. Medium-bodied.

D: An interesting and drinkable beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2011 12:04:28 | More by avalon07

bs870621345

New Jersey

4.33/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This one is 9.8% and was picked up at the brewery by my parents last week.

Pours a rusty orange color with a half inch of off white head. Minimal lacing.

Smells like citrus and pine hops, bread, caramel, and a plum like smell.

Taste is of pine right up front, but opens to a citrus and juicy malt character and finish is pine. Very inviting for another sip.

Mouthfeel is rather thick but a good amount of carbonation.

Overall its good, seems like a style hybrid- American Strong Ale tends to be a total hybrid anyway.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2011 23:43:13 | More by bs870621345

Reagan1984

Massachusetts

4.2/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Well, I have to say that I will try to be as unbiased as possible. And I will, but this is one of those beers that tastes so damn good due to circumstances. Nearing the end of a week of college campus visits for my daughter, this is a place I really need to be. Try to find Pisgah brewing and you will understand how great it is to finally be sitting with one of their fine beers. The place is so hidden it’s funny. To add to this, about 2 years ago I was sent a bottle of this beer by a great beer trader (BHalter8) and the bottle was sadly infected. I had heard a lot about this and really wanted to try it.
FINALLY, I’ve had the chance and it’s a great beer.

They call this a triple IPA at the bar or a BIG Imperial IPA, I see it listed here as a Strong Ale. What’s funny is that it reminded me a lot of a barleywine. I think this defies style a bit, but it’s very good.

Thin white head that fades rather quickly. A cloudy brown/amber colored beer. No lacing.

Aroma is of deep fruity malt with a whiff of elevated ABV. Nice sweetness and a citrus almost orange peel aroma.

The flavor continues to remind me of some nice barleywines. Layers of malt flavor mixed with caramel, lots of fruit and some pine notes. The abv is well hidden here despite the whiff in the aroma. Quite a bit going on. The sweet fruity flavors are almost tropical but in no way too sweet.

The smallest amount of carbonation just adds life to the flavor.

I am so happy that I finally had a chance to enjoy this beer. Thanks Ben for introducing me to Pisgah. Glad I finally had the chance.

Serving type: on-tap

04-22-2011 21:13:33 | More by Reagan1984

trappistlover

Arizona

3.53/5  rDev -12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

(22oz bottle courtesy of BgThang!). This one is 9.8% abv. Pours hazy copper color with off-white head. Nice, active carbonation. Aroma has spicy hops that is paired with something that is honeylike. There’s also a bit of cardboard. Taste is bitter with a sweet malt backbone along with a little diacetyl presence. Medium bodied with slick texture. Finish is dry and bitter. This one is probably past its prime, but its still pretty good and alcohol is well hidden.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2011 03:33:25 | More by trappistlover

ncfranklin

Alabama

3.93/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On-Tap at the brewery.

A: Translucent orange. Finger tall off white head leaves a nice lacing coat.

S: Sweeter orange, almost sugary bubblegum.

T: Right after the smell. A gummy sweetness mixed with some notes of orange and grapefruit. Well balanced, not very bitter.

M: Medium body with a nice tacky quality that clings to the gums.

D: A dangerously drinkable big beer. Balance of sugar and citrus flavors is well accomplished.

Serving type: on-tap

03-30-2011 13:44:24 | More by ncfranklin

wcudwight

North Carolina

3.2/5  rDev -20.6%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Amber colored with a big fluffy head. Hmmmm smells more like a barleywine than a DIPA. Lot's of alcohol in the aroma. Flavor follows the aroma. Big bold flavorful beer but it's not going to appeal to the hopheads as much as I thought. While a good beer this one is not the hop bomb I was expecting. With that said the bottle went down much faster as usual.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2011 04:32:48 | More by wcudwight

babaracas

Florida

4.2/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at Pisgah in a shaker pint. Hazy dark orange, one finger white head and spotty lacing. Smell: apple, tropical fruit, sweet, earthy, leafy, big toffee backbone. Taste: caramelized sugar, dessert bread, red delicious apple, lemon rind, grapefruit, trademark Pisgah earthiness. Pretty sure the bartender said this was a DIPA and I wrote down Barleywine in my notes. ASA works. Medium-plus bodied, sugary.

Serving type: on-tap

03-21-2011 05:25:10 | More by babaracas

thagr81us

South Carolina

4.28/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served from tap into a shaker. Poured red-orange with a one finger bone white head that remained throughout. Maintained decent lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, earthy hops, and caramel. The flavor was of sweet malt, earthy hops, caramel, dark chocolate, and citrus. It had a medium feel on the palate with medium-high carbonation. Overall this was a pretty good brew. As always from Pisgah you get the big earthy flavors. On this one the earthy flavor tied in very well with the other flavors presents and definitely kept you palate alert at all times. Can't say that there is much missing on this one. A must try for any hop-head out there.

Serving type: on-tap

02-07-2011 18:49:55 | More by thagr81us

morimech

Minnesota

3.68/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Amber color with two fingers of head that had good retention before settling to a thick cap. Moderate amount of spotty lacing is left on the glass. Pine hop aroma with a huge dose of caramel. The malt bill seems to be large enough to support the hops. The flavor lacks the hop flavor I was expecting. But the hop bitterness is all there. In the end it is an extremely bitter caramel malt beer. Thick and chewy body with a bit more carbonation than I typically enjoy with such a body. A big, bitter beer that lacks the good qualities I expect with the bitterness.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2011 23:17:46 | More by morimech

n2185

North Carolina

3.9/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: pours a dark amber with about a finger of off-white head. The head quickly recedes into a ring with decent lacing.

S: some caramel malt up front followed by lots of pine and resin.

T: similar to the smell, there are some caramel malts up front with a lot of piny hops to follow. The hops provide a nice, resiny kick.

M: medium body and carbonation that nicely compliments the pine and resin flavors.

D: pretty drinkable for such a big, hoppy beer. More like a hoppy barleywine or DIPA.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2011 03:24:07 | More by n2185

SFLpunk

Vermont

3.68/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to cmrillo and Hodgin for this extra! 22oz brown glass pry-top bottle. No freshness date.

Pours a murky brown/amber with some thin tan head. Nose is fairly muted with some pale caramel malt and something like orange zest and something medicinal.

Palate is fat and juicy with hop oil, but not overly bitter. Reminds me alot of Midwestern IPAs. Pale caramel malt, lime oil, some wet earth, and a yellow grapefruit note on the finish.

At first, I dug this beer, but as it warmed up some strange flavors came out. Triple Pale Ale confused me a little too, wasn't sure if I was getting a Belgian Triple Pale Ale or a big fat juicy Pale Ale. it's the latter for sure, and worth a go.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2010 02:12:51 | More by SFLpunk

DavoleBomb

Ohio

3.6/5  rDev -10.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a snifter.

3.5 A: Cloudy deep amber/mahogany color. One finger of creamy beige head with below average retention and moderate amounts of lacing.

4.0 S: I think this is supposed to be a DIPA, but it's listed as an American Strong, which is exactly what it smells like (or perhaps an American Barleywine). The strongest aromas is caramel and there is a lot of it. Next, there are orange and pine hops. The non-crystal malts come off as bready with some yeastiness in there as well.

3.5 T: Taste pretty much puts this beer into American Barleywine territory. There's a healthy bitter backbone in this, but not a whole lot of hop flavor. This is reminiscent of fresh Old Ruffian. Anyway, plenty of caramel with biscuity malts to accompany. Hops are again dominantly piney with orange, tangerine, and grapefruit.

3.5 M: Heavier medium body. Good moderate carbonation. Could be creamier.

3.5 D: This is an okay beer, but it fails to deliver what it promises. It just isn't that hoppy in terms of hop flavor. That's not much of a problem, but it also wasn't that great of an American Strong or American B-wine. Worth a try, but not another round due to price.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2010 04:38:16 | More by DavoleBomb

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Reviewed from notes.

Pours a nice amber-brown color with a pretty good head and a slight amount of lacing. The nose is really nice with some citrus and pine and with that comes some caramel and sweetness. The taste is light hops with some notes of dark fruit and sugar. Mouthfeel is pretty good with a nice balance between body and booze. Drinks quite well and is a nicely done beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2010 01:28:56 | More by Thorpe429

RickS95

Indiana

4.03/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a dark amber with a thick head. The head starts off strong, but gradually slows down though it never goes away. You can tell the lacing is going to be killer because as the head pulls away from the sides, the glass is still covered.

I liked the smell from the start. The hops give you that nice citrusy scent. Flowery notes are also present.

The taste is similar to the smell. The citrus is obviously, but theres also a malty sweetness to keep the earthy hop flavors in check.

You could never call a triple pale ale smooth in the mouth, but for the type, this is as smooth as I've had. It's clearly hoppy, but the malts subdue everything

Despite ridiculous alcohol and being a triple IPA, this is pretty easy to drink. I love the citrus flavor and as mentioned a couple times, the malts take all the hoppy bite away and make this go down easy.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2010 03:08:09 | More by RickS95

craytonic

District of Columbia

3.83/5  rDev -5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Small head but some crusty lacing almost the whole way down. Deep ruby-amber with a touch of orange

Smell & taste: citrus and pine, a bit musty and earty

mouthfeel: a bit thin for as big as this beer is, and perhaps a hare under-carbonated

Drinkability: goes down fairly easily, but it is a bit one-dimensional. I think their tripel is their best offering.

Serving type: bottle

09-07-2010 02:58:27 | More by craytonic

mondegreen

Georgia

3.85/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

22oz poured into a Pisgah pint glass. Bottle says it was brewed 3/10 and has an ABV of 9.8%. It calls itself a "Triple Pale Ale," but the gentleman at the brewery referred to it as a DIPA. As such I am scoring it as a DIPA.

A: Pours a slighty hazy Amber/Orange. Wears a thin frothy head that lingers, leaves a touch of lace on he sides of the pint.

S: Nose is sweet upfront with aromas of sugars and cities fruit. Maybe a touch of busciut hiding in there, too.

T: Very bitter cold, lightens up some as it warms. Almost paradoxical given the sweetness of the nose. Very nice citrus notes and crisp on the follow through with a somewhat lingering bitterness.

M: Moderate with ample carbonation. Feels nice.

D: A nice drinking TPA/DIPA/ASA (or whatever style this thing is). It might wear on the palate a little, but as long as you sip and don't rush it shouldn't be an issue.

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2010 17:11:33 | More by mondegreen

jsanford

Georgia

4.1/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at the Pisgah Brewery in Asheville, NC on 5/29/10

A - Hazy dark orange with a thin creamy white head

S - Caramel malts, pine, grapefruit

T - Bitter grapefruit balanced by a nice caramel maltiness, bit of pepper in the finish

M - Crisp! Medium bodied, very nice carbonation, slight stickiness

D - Moderate drinkability. Very tasty brew, nicely balanced and perfect for a hot, sunny day in NC. Got a bit cloying as I went on though.

Serving type: on-tap

06-15-2010 02:57:12 | More by jsanford

brewandbbq

New Hampshire

3.68/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bottle.

Pours dark copper with an amber hue and a chill haze. A quarter inch of off-white dissapated to a partial skim coat with a few dots of lacing.

Aromatics lead off with candied malt, toffee, caramel, and a hint of cardboard. Some subdued citrus and pine suggests what it was at one time.

Medium bodied with a sticky, chewy mouthfeel. Gummy and sticky.

Toffee-laced malt, pine-rubbed raisins, and butterscotch starts the palate. Warming alcohol and a nod of bitterness tries to win over the sweet malt. A mild level of resinous hops follows through.

Finishes with plenty of candied malt, warming alcohol, and lingering cardboard.

Past prime for sure. Still sweet with plenty of oxidation mixed in.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2010 23:19:01 | More by brewandbbq

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

3.93/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Barley's today.

The beer pours a copper amber color with good head retention and lots of sticky lacing all around. I don't really understand the nose on this beer, which is pretty mute. There is some noticeable dank earth and bitter citrus, but it's pretty faint and is not nearly as expressive as I was expecting. On the palate, this is a much more impressive beer. While there is some considerable hoppy bitterness, that bitterness is balanced very nicely by a considerable amount of sweet malt. Yet it's not overdone; the beer is not too sweet and malty, and is ultimately dominated by the hoppy bitterness (though not overly so). Mouthfeel is medium bodied and fairly long, but the beer is not the least bit heavy or tiring on the palate. Considering this beer's abv., I was impressed by its balance and drinkability.

Not bad at all...

Serving type: on-tap

05-31-2010 12:04:30 | More by johnmichaelsen