Furious - Surly Brewing Company

Etan

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

16oz can sent to me by Will. Thanks!

A: Pours caramel-colored with a nice off-white spongy head.

S: Plenty of pine, citrus, and sticky caramel in the nose.

T: Significantly drier in the taste, with lots of grassy bitterness, some mild notes of orange and mint, and a good amount of grainy malt behind.

M: Light-bodied with moderate carbonation.

O: Pretty refreshing IPA. A bit too dry for me but still tasty.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2012 17:36:22 | More by Etan

beesy

Ohio

4.1/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 16oz can into a standard pint glass. Thanks Tom for sending it.

A - pours a slightly hazy medium orange hue. An agressive pour provides 3 fingers of medium-light khaki colored head that provides a good amount of lacing.

S - hoppy, citrus, piney, earthly, sharp, alcohol

T - very hoppy. Loaded with ctirus hops with some pine present more on the tail end. Slighyl earthy and grassy profiles. Some grapefruit shows up later on as well. Slightly grainy. I think the can is starting to head south and I'm glad I popped it when I did. A big, firm bitterness that is slightly fruity and piney finishes things up.

M - lighter bodied.

D - fairly easy to drink considered the IBUs.

Overall, a fantastic beer that is heavy on the hops and bitterness. Being lighter bodied makes this one easy to drink down. I think the can was just starting to turn as I picked up on some of the fruity off flavors hoppy beers seem to throw out as they start to age a little.

Serving type: can

10-10-2012 01:21:21 | More by beesy

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

4.23/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Review #2500: This beer poured out much darker than I expected. It has a deep orange color, almost red. The head was a light tan color and decent sized. The smell of the beer is malty and sweet. There is a pleasent floral hop aroma. The taste of the beer is nicely balanced, there is a sweet malt flavor that has a moderate hop finish. The mouthfeel is clean and a little oily. The carbonation is crisp and sharp. Overall this beer is really good, looking forward to drinking the others I have.

Serving type: can

10-09-2012 23:09:57 | More by Knapp85

JamesMN

Minnesota

4.68/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Canned on 9/17/12.

I'd like to preface this review by saying I live in the Twin Cities and have access to this beer at any time. I haven't had it for over four months and tend to think it's overhyped. This is the first time I've had it since joining and reviewing beers on BA.

Appearance: Dark copper/amber hue with decent clarity. One finger light tan foamy head.

Aroma: I opened the can and counted the seconds until the aroma reached my nose. It took less than five seconds to make it the foot and a half (I've seen the recipe and they dry hop it like crazy!). Floral hop profile with some malt behind it. It's a very pleasant and robust aroma.

Taste: This is an optimally balanced IPA. The malt flavor is that of an amber or red ale and it is robust enough to stand behind the hops. Oh yes, the hops. Great balance between East Coast piney flavor with that West Coast grapefruit and floral character. It starts almost sweet, full of the hop flavor and then finishes with hop bitterness. You are left with a taste not unlike the way a pine tree smells (which is good). At 6.2% abv you aren't tasting any of that and it's actually surprising how much flavor is packed into that amount of alcohol. You do, however, get a nice warming sensation from the beer. It's also a decently juicy IPA (which is not a term I get to use that often). My one issue with it is that the 99 IBUs listed on the can are no where to be found in the flavor. I'd say realistically it's closer to 50 or 60 IBUs. All that being said, this is a perfect flavor.

Mouthfeel: Silky smooth and a bit more than medium bodied. Highly drinkable.

Final Thoughts: I can't believe I waited so long to have this one again (over four months). Even with all the hype, the beer speaks for itself. It may not be the best IPA on the planet but it'll give any American IPA a run for its money. Is it possible we've also found a new style: Midwest IPA? I think so. Would I drink it again? Again and again, perfect warmer for the long Minnesota winter.

Serving type: can

10-07-2012 01:13:19 | More by JamesMN

nrs207

Pennsylvania

3.33/5  rDev -23.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Split a can with Hophead717. Thanks for letting me finally try this.

A - Nice amber color with an off-white frothy head of about a finger.

S - Not nearly what I expected. Some pine, citrus, but pretty muted on the hops. This was a fresh can (around a week old), so I was pretty surprised by this. This thing is a malt bomb somehow. I believe it advertises Scottish malt or something on the can, and you definitely get that a lot. Some malty sweetness, breadiness, etc. More of an amber than an IPA.

T - Follows the nose. Big letdown for a 99 IBU IPA. Not sure why this gets so much praise.

M - No alcohol, pretty smooth with a moderate carbonation and medium body.

O - Was expecting something else. Definitely not expecting what I found to be a knockoff of Troegs Nugget Nectar (which I don't love all that much either). The malt they used really wastes all those hops imo. This isn't bad if you're into English style IPAs or hoppy ambers, but that's not what I was anticipating or desired. Wouldn't buy if the opportunity presented itself.

Serving type: can

10-06-2012 23:10:18 | More by nrs207

cfrances33

Illinois

4.05/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Can thanks to yamar68. A long time want! Poured into an HF tulip.

Pour: Clear amber with finger and half of off white head. Leaves really nice lacing, and the head forms a nice film on the body.

Smell: Caramel sweetness, a nice resinous pine, and some tangerine in the back. This is really malt forward on the nose.

Taste: Follows the nose. Lots of caramel sweetness with a substantial bitterness, that gives way to pine and citrus. Really nice, but not what I was hoping for or what I'd even expect from an IPA.

Mouthfeel: Really, really juicy, despite the substantial malt bill on the taste. Pretty darn drinkable. The best aspect of this beer for sure.

Overall: Not what I was hoping for from Furious, so I confess myself disappointed, but still a tasty experience nonetheless.

Serving type: can

10-06-2012 18:54:09 | More by cfrances33

Powderhornphil

Minnesota

4.43/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This has long been my go-to beer. Can't believe I am only just reviewing it.

This beer pours a copperish red. Not your typical AIPA. There is a white head that leaves light lacing.

I have always loved the way this beer smells. One of the most piney brews I have smelled. Really amazing smell.

Taste is pine followed closly by carmel malt. There is also light citrus. I can drink this beer all day. All the bitterness is balanced by a toffee sweetness.

There is a full mouthfeel. Light carbonation.

Overall, one of my first craft beer loves so maybe I am biased but I never tire of Furious.. Absolutely a world class, style bending beer.

Serving type: can

10-04-2012 03:00:48 | More by Powderhornphil

RoamingGnome

Wisconsin

4.35/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from 16 oz can into Cheers drinking mug. Served chilled...

A) Nice amber with good clarity. This had a finger of nice creamy, slightly off white head. This settled to a dusting. Very nice lacing.

S) Lighter citrus, pine, and some flower petal. There is a pleasing caramel sweetness to this as well. Very nice...

T) I expected bitterness, but really, I found this to have nice balance. These flavors really mingle well together. Hints of pineapple, and light caramel sweetness. Then some citrus, which brings a fair amount of zest. Finishes piney/grassy. Nice aftertaste.

M) Medium body and well carbonated. Drinks very nice... Quite a refreshing brew...

O) This beer is the real deal. Glad to recommend this brew.

Serving type: can

10-02-2012 01:36:31 | More by RoamingGnome

Justin_Neff

Ohio

4.48/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a dark reddish coppery color. Teetering on almost a brown color. Not a lot of head but leaves a thin lacey ring around the edge of the beer.

S: Strong hoppy aroma. Definite hints of citrus.. Lemon, Grapefruit, and piney with grassy smell. Floral. Pure awesomeness. Perfect.

T: Tastes exactly how you expect from the smell. Well balance hoppiness without a strong sugary malty flavor. Starts very citrusy, and Grassy and piney tastes linger during the finish, as the smell would suggest. This is exactly what I want an IPA to taste like.

M: Pretty light bodied with a higher than normal carbonation for an IPA.

O: I have very little else to say other than this is phenomenal. A great first Surly experience.

Serving type: on-tap

10-02-2012 00:22:50 | More by Justin_Neff

mnphish

Minnesota

4.18/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

One of my go to beers.
16 oz can poured into a Surly pint.
Light amber body with a big head and lots of lacing.
Smells of citrus, grapefruit, orange, and malts.
This is a very balanced beer. Lots of fruity hop flavor and pine, but not overpowering. There is a strong caramel malt backbone that leads to a bitter finish.
The body is medium light and pretty smooth
Not quite as tropical and delicious as Abrasive but it's definitely a high quality IPA.

Serving type: can

09-29-2012 02:41:58 | More by mnphish

Megahertz

Missouri

4.6/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

16 oz can dated 8-14-12 into a beer goblet.

A - Deep amber, almost pushing brown, and quite clear. Large white head stays around a long time. Amazing lacing.

S - A cornucopia of tropical hop aromas, ranging from citrusy to kiwi-like. Lots of pine and grass. Very strong.

T - Toffee sweetness with slight caramel. Dank hops add both bitterness and sweetness; lots of citrusy orange zest. Resiny. Bitterness is extremely clean without harshness or metallic notes. Bone dry finish.

M - Heavy body with medium carbonation.

O - A monster fresh IPA with a supporting sweet malt backbone.

Serving type: can

09-25-2012 01:43:27 | More by Megahertz

micromaniac129

Pennsylvania

4.23/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

An impressive looking beer, even the can. Pours a rich crystal clear amber with hints of orange. A tall dense head sits on top with sticky lacing on the glass, lots of lacing. Though dense the head is it does fade quickly to a collar.

The aroma is fantastic with a big hop bouquet. Malts have a pale and biscuit aroma while the hops have a pungent yet zesty and bright citrus note. You can also taste pineapple and some pine if you want.

Taste is not so hop forward as i anticipated, though it is hoppy I was expecting more. Basically I can really only taste citrus. Malts have a bicuit or bready taste.

And of course it's super bitter filling the whole mouth with lip smacking and lip puuckering bitterness.

A fantastic beer for beer lovers alike. Flavorfull, eye pleasing, and great aromatics. One of the best, one of the best.

Serving type: can

09-18-2012 22:01:09 | More by micromaniac129

devilben02

North Carolina

4.13/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Another from the much appreciated six-pack sent to me from my sister's boyfriend, this one certainly earns its praise as a top American IPA. It pours with a deep reddish-amber color and is topped by a big, rocky, sticky head. The beer is very fragrant, with a big contribution from citrusy hops on top of a light, bready malt base. The flavor is big and bold, with juicy, resinous citrus and spicy pine over some noticeable but nondescript malty sweetness. The texture is mouth-filling without being heavy. Overall, this is just an all-around very good IPA.

Serving type: can

09-18-2012 14:40:13 | More by devilben02

TheQuietMan22

Iowa

4.18/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Serving type: 16-ounce can. The “CANNED ON” date on the bottom of the can is “08/03/12.”

Appearance: Poured into a nonick pint glass. The color is ruby copper. Two fingers of eggshell/lightly tanned head dissipated to leave a thick ring around the edge and a thin lacing.

Smell: It has a nice, citrus hoppiness but is also well-balanced. Grapefruit, lemon, orange, and herbal hops, but there is also a caramel base with toffee and brown sugar.

Taste: It mostly mirrors the smell. Invigorating citrus — grapefruit, orange, and lemon — is compliment by grassy hops, pine, caramel, toffee, and bready malts. It has a pretty dry, metallic aftertaste.

Drinkability: It is quintessential American IPA from the North Star State.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2012 04:53:23 | More by TheQuietMan22

peensteen

Ontario (Canada)

4.43/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Amber-orange colour, one finger of off white head, decent amount of lace. Smell is loaded with hops, citrus and pine, orange, grapefruit, a bit of sweet bready malt comes out the second time around as well. Taste is initially a mix of caramel and toffee malt flavours with pine and citrusy hops, lightly sweet, orange, tangerine and grapefruit nice bitterness throughout, long hoppy finish and aftertaste. Lightly carbonated, med-full body, oily, good overall feel. Just a straight up awesome IPA, no doubt this would be something I kept on hand all the time if it was local.

Serving type: can

09-08-2012 22:49:35 | More by peensteen

WillCarrera

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

16 oz can, canned on 08/27/12, poured into a tulip glass.

A- Pours a deep amber red color, topped with a finger of creamy tan head, decent retention and some spotty lacing.

S- It smells awesome, big hop aroma, loads of citrus and earthy, dank hops, also some pine. There's also a nice amount of malt sweetness, but overall it's a major dank hop overload.

T- Big hop rush with lots of citrus and earthy, slightly spicy flavors. Mid-palate caramel and toffee malt becomes more noticeable before a very bitter, piney and grassy hop finish.

M- Medium-bodied, moderate to low carbonation, has a creamy, slightly sticky feel.

O- An incredible IPA, flavors are excellent and it's highly drinkable, great stuff.

Serving type: can

09-08-2012 05:46:48 | More by WillCarrera

pb9613

Michigan

4.95/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Appearance: This beer pours a clear amber color with a clean peach head. Head retention is great with a light lacing on the glass.

Smell: I was surprised to find a sweet caramel under the intense citrus and pine smell of the hops

Taste: It taste like it smell. An intense citrus and pine taste on top of a solid malt background sweetened with the caramel malts for a nice balance.

Mouthfeel: Solid malt base with the a slight alcohol burn and astringency of the hops.

Overall: One of the best IPA’s I have ever had. People argue about East Coast vs. West Coast IPA’s but forget that the Midwest has some of the best in the world.

Serving type: can

09-02-2012 19:22:03 | More by pb9613

russwbeck

Virginia

3.88/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Side by side with Furious on-tap at a Surly tapping at Churchkey in DC. Centennial hops lend their leafy selves to the beer inside the cask.

A: Hazy yellow orange pour with a finger of bubbly white head. The retention isn't as good as the on-tap offering was, but the haziness of the body makes up for it.

S: The aroma is a littler more sweet, with the fruit playing a bigger role. Citrus mostly with only a slight pine note.

T: When I think about a word to describe the taste...it's muted. Fruit forward, dry and bitter as an afterthought. Mostly all citrus. It does have a clean finish.

MF: Heavy body for an American IPA, with a below average carbonation (obviously, this beer was in the cask!). Sort of bitter with a dry finish. It was stil pretty drinkable, however, you just didn't get a lot of flavor.

O: A bit disappointed. The hops in the cask don't really add any real discernable difference in flavor, sadly. It was good, just not as good as the tap version. Probably would skip this next time.

Serving type: cask

08-27-2012 01:55:51 | More by russwbeck

metter98

New York

4.35/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A: The beer is clear dark amber in color and has no visible carbonation. It poured with a half finger high beige head that only died down a little and consistently left a thin head covering the surface.
S: The smell is moderately strong and has an interesting mix of citrus, tropical fruit and pine resin aromas from the hops.
T: The taste is very similar to the smell and is dominated by complex flavors from the hops. There is a moderate amount of bitterness.
M: It feels medium-bodied and very crisp on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: The mixture of aromas and flavors from the hops make this a very interesting IPA to sip and savor.

Serving type: can

08-19-2012 03:31:33 | More by metter98

Ilafan

Minnesota

3.6/5  rDev -17.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Okay. I've learned to appreciate this one more. I'm not falling for the cult (not drinking this kool-aid?), but it's better on the third or fourth time around. The first time I tried this, the extreme bitterness made me gag and trade it off to my friend for his Summit Pale Ale (a beer I still find preferable to Furious, by the way). But after a few more tries, I "get" it, I guess. The hoppiness is harsh, and it isn't balanced with any malt or softer fruits, but that's the point. It will never be my first choice, and I much prefer Bender or Abrasive, but this isn't as "meh" as I used to think it to be.

Serving type: on-tap

08-18-2012 22:15:54 | More by Ilafan

Uncle_Jimmy

California

3.28/5  rDev -24.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A- poured into a glass copper hue completly clear with a peach colored creamy head of foam !

S-slightly metalic with hints of pine and floral

T-a all consuming hop bitterness, lavender notes, light carmel tastes in the front end. It gives way to more piney hops

M- effervescent across the tongue with slight astringency from the hops or alcohol.

Overall- This beer looks and smells really good but i think that taste is where it falls a little short. It starts off so pretty in the glass and it smells like a real hoppy treat, but I dont think that the can did this beer any favors. I get some metalicy flavors and i think that the carbonation is a bit high. Its remarkably hoppy and the head retention and lacing are great. I wouldn't try this beer in the can again , But I would like to try it on tap. Maybe served at a warmer temp a bit fresher

Serving type: can

08-17-2012 04:16:38 | More by Uncle_Jimmy

rudzud

Massachusetts

3.55/5  rDev -18.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to JLindros for sharing this.

A - Pours a crystal clear amber copper with a one finger sudsy wooden hue coloured head.

S - Lots of orange peel, pine resin, with a good, solid malty backbone.

T - LOTS of malt in this and some bitterness. How was this only canned 2 weeks prior to drinking...where are all the hops?!

M - WAY too thin of a mouthfeel for an IPA.

O - Overall, my how times have changed. Back in the day this was THE IPA, then Heady Topper came along and changed the game.

Serving type: can

08-08-2012 19:07:07 | More by rudzud

mscudder

Georgia

4.48/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Already had a can of this and wow was it awesome and worth a proper review. Poured into a classic pint.

A - A beautiful rich amber with a light to dark progression as it approaches the white head. Slightly cloudy with fair retention. Nice looking IPA for sure!

S - Some nice hops on the nose here which pair well with all the nice grapefruit/citrus elements. A bit of pine of the back end. I strive to find something better than this in an IPA.

T - BOOM! Hops explode to start this beer off. The flavor follows the nose and is absolutely fantastic. Balance is great with a nice presence of both bitterness and aromatic hops. FInishes smooth with some sweetness from some subtle caramel malts and perhaps some toffee?

M - There is certainly a malt profile to give this some backbone, rendering a medium bodied beer. This is just the kind of IPA I like to see! Creamy in the middle and finishes with some dryness, but not overwhelming.

O - This is a fantastic IPA. Worth the praise and I would pick up another 4 pack in a heartbeat if I did not have to pay a steep shipping price to get it into GA. I just hope Surly widens its distribution because this is the pinnacle of what an American IPA should be. Salute.

Serving type: can

08-08-2012 06:40:48 | More by mscudder

LXIXME

New Mexico

4.1/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Medium white to off white head dies to a thin lacing above a copper colored beer with tons of small particles suspended within.

A spicy to citrus hops aroma is quite prevalent.

The spicy to citrus hops are very present in the taste as well, almost a bittering dry taste with any malt tastes being drowned out by the hops.

A dry lasting aftertaste on this medium bodied beer, another pretty tasty beer from the guys at Surly.

Serving type: can

08-05-2012 21:45:58 | More by LXIXME

dbrauneis

New Jersey

4.35/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a crystal clear dark copper to amber in color with some light amounts of visible carbonation. The beer has a finger tall pillowy dark beige head that reduces to a mottled patch of thin and thick film covering the majority of the surface of the beer and a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Moderate amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate to strong aromas of hops - primarily grapefruit/citrus hops with lighter notes of pineapple/tropical and much lighter notes of pine/resin.

T: There are huge hops flavors upfront with this beer - primarily grapefruit/citrus and pineapple/citrus with some very light hints of pine. There is some bitterness in this beer but it is not overly aggressive. In the finish, there is a light presence of caramel and toffee malt sweetness which balances out the bitterness of the hops.

M: On the heavier side of medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Slight dryness in the finish.

O: This beer is really delicious with a wonderfully inviting aroma. I really enjoyed this beer and found it so easy to drink, it left me wanting for another and another. I could easily enjoy multiple of these though the ABV is a little too strong to be doing that. Wonderful complexity to the hop flavors and aromas.

Serving type: can

08-04-2012 20:49:54 | More by dbrauneis