Invasion IPA - Mikkeller ApS

vfgccp

New York

4.1/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A - Light haze. Nice, deep peach orange-brown. Fine white head settles low but has great retention once it gets there.

S - Sweet honey, thick malt, tangerine, white raisins, earthy wood, bitter florals.

T - Great woody hop flavor with a solid bitter backbone. Honey, mellon, and sweet tangerine keep things in balance. Bitters linger through a long, malty-sweet finish.

M - Sharp bitters cut through a thick and creamy mouthfeel.

O - Exceptionally bitter-forward flavor profile, even for the style.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2013 01:10:59 | More by vfgccp

GiantCogs

Massachusetts

3.56/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Not bad at all. More malt coming through then most of the IPA I usually prefer, but I welcome change

A: Copper color, with a little head.

S: Not much to report here. The right smells were there.

T: Bitterness, hops, malt. Again, more malt then I normally expect. More yeast too, but I've come to expect that from European IPAs. Caramel, sweet bread, dried fruit type of flavors.

M: I would of liked it to have had cleaner feel. Thicker then most ales, but not syrupy /sticky like a doppelbocks.

O: My second brew from Mikkeller. I liked it. Will not buy this particular ale again, but will definitely continue to try more from the brewer.

If this beer was a metal band it would be Frightmare. Classic in style, but just enough unique. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PXQA77tEt8

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2013 20:02:26 | More by GiantCogs

wordemupg

Alberta (Canada)

3.66/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

500ml bottle poured into tulip 26/1/13

A glowing a dark amber with little clarity but I can see a few streams of bubbles going up the side, just a finger of tan foam that sits around for a few sips leaving a couple random patches of lace

S floral hops with some mango and lime, some pine hiding in there, a little yeast, toffee and biscuit and a little Flintstones chewable vitamins

T more rind and pine in the mouth with the same strange yeast profile I could smell, I know that yeast but can't place it, much like the smell but a little faded

M medium bodied, nice bitter bite, slightly creamy feel with a lingering rind finish

O decent brew but I think its a little faded, the caramel malts coming out but still tasty

no freshness date but I'm guessing I may have gotten to this one a little late, its still good but I'm guessing it was much better fresh

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 20:48:39 | More by wordemupg

ngeunit1

California

4.16/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Hazy golden-orange with a finger of frothy white head. Fades normal.

S - Grapefruit, orange, citrus, pine, grassy hops, sweet caramel and light biscuit malts.

T - Grapefruit, orange, citrus, pine, grassy hops, good resiny bitterness, sweet caramel and biscuit malts.

M - Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Smooth with a dry, bitter, and resiny finish.

D - Great hoppy IPA. Nice hop profile and bitterness throughout.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 07:34:33 | More by ngeunit1

Immortale25

Florida

4.59/5  rDev +16.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a snifter

A- Pours a somewhat hazy medium amber with a 1/4 inch off-white head that retains a bit before becoming a thick ring around the edge of the glass and light wisps of surface foam. Thin streaks of semi-resilient lacing.

S- Pungent hop aroma bears some citrus notes but is mainly composed of wet grass. Some alcohol fume plus a mild astringency. Dank, fresh.

T- Flavor is much more subdued than the aroma bringing lovely notes of pine and grapefruit. Bitterness is assertive but held in check well by the malt which is lightly toasted. So smooth without skimping on flavor. Excellent hop burps. Bitterness is lingering but enjoyable.

M- Oily yet sharp with medium carbonation and medium-full body for the style.

O- Another bull's eye for the gypsy Brewer.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2012 18:45:04 | More by Immortale25

BEERchitect

Kentucky

3.53/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

It's dejavu, all over again as Mikkeller rolls out this malty-dry IPA that carries the same biscuity sense and biting hops that are basic hallmarks in all of their American-style IPAs.

As the beer pours it's typical rusty deep amber hue, the heavy yeast haze keeps the beer looking dull and not playing well with the light. But despite the wortish color, the beer forms, retains, and laces with a stern and withstanding foam character that's impressive for any style.

Sharp woody and winy aromas from hops rise to the forefront of scent with notions of leafy vegetation, zesty grapefruit skins, oranges, and apricots. Fruit and wood blend into the bready and toffeeish scent with strong integration. A tinge of wood tanin and mild tartness round out the aromas.

Flavors of maple-soaked breads allow for the taste of biscotti to rival that of hops. But despite the semi-dry malt taste and its creamy starch backing, the hops grow and grow- starting out with an herbal grassy taste, but then traversing through white grapefruit pith and peel, tropical "Hawaiian Punch" fruit notes, and then arriving at a throat-piercing bitterness of stemmy, sassafras, and juniper (gin-like) sour-bitter interplay.

Flirting with astringent (tannin-like) textures, these are easily mistaken for the bitterness of hops, but also are an accessory to the confusion. But ahead of the sharper sensations, the textures of bready/creamy malts interfere with the showcase of hops to start. The beer reluctantly gives up its malt stature to allow the hops to dominate post mid palate. It's only when the void of fleeting malt is filled with bitterness, bite, alcohol dryness, and raw barley texture that the closure is signaled.

It's getting tough to describe Mikkeller beers with new verbage- all their IPAs are so similar that they are hardly distinguishable. What may seem to be a knock on Mikkeller is actually a back-handed comment. When the signature flavors are good, then why not make all beers like them? It's because all of the beers turn out like them.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2012 07:05:00 | More by BEERchitect

duracell

Quebec (Canada)

4.05/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

22oz bottle into a snifter.

A - Pours a rich, clear, amber color with a medium white head. Moderate retention and good lacing left on the glass.

S - Very strong hop, mostly citrus and passion fruit. Caramel and apricot from the malt. Not that complex but aromas blend nicely and are very enjoyable.

T/M - Very smooth mouthfeel with a good bitterness and warming alcohol. Excellent hoppy flavors, very citrusy, piney, and floral to the taste. Malt in backbone and tropical fruits coming up towards the end, lingering very well.

O - Once again, a good job from Mikkeler. Excellent drinkability and balance. Without being extreme in flavors, this is a very enjoyable IPA. I would certainly have it again!

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2012 15:56:08 | More by duracell

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

4.08/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

22oz bomber.

This beer pours a slightly hazed, dark golden amber hue, with two fingers of silken, puffy ecru head, which leaves some decent drooping curtain lace around the glass as it slowly abates.

It smells of citrus rind and pine resin, dead center, with some sweet bready caramel malt, a bit of bitter floral hop notes, and a twinge of booze warming flitting about the edges. The taste is big, bitter pine oil and grapefruit pith up front, kind of eye-opening, actually, with a weaker doughy caramel/toffee malt kind of being roused in the turmoil of it all, and some perfume-like hops rounding things out, as they seem to take the brunt of the elevated ABV.

The bubbles are a tad fresh, and somewhat frothy, the body a hefty, solid medium weight, but with a rising metallic hoppy edge marring the smoothness just a little too much. It finishes more on the balanced side, as the big malt backbone stirs, quashing some of the still pungent hop furor.

A damned fine uppity Yankee IPA, its origins betrayed before I even gleaned from the label that this was indeed made stateside. Invade all you like, Mikkeller, just so long as it tastes this good.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2012 19:37:51 | More by biboergosum

MasterSki

Illinois

4.03/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I believe this was brewed at Mercury in June, although it didn't show up in Chicago until mid-July due to the Shelton/Windy "Shitty" dust-up. Served in a Darkness snifter.

A - Pours with a nice off-white head that settles to a thick cap and a few splotches of lace. Very dark and mildly hazy copper body. This looks nothing like early descriptions of the Drake's version.

S - Balanced at this point (2 months old?), but with a nice amount of residual earthy hops, grapefruit rind, and a touch of tropical fruits. Malt backbone is comprised of caramel and a touch of brown sugar.

T - The taste is less sweet, with a more bready malt base that has only a kiss of honey to it. Lots of hops still present here, with tropical and citrus fruit flavors, as well as some hefty pine bitterness that lingers well into the aftertaste. Perhaps a hint of astringency in the finish.

M - Very dry, with lots of residual resinous hop oils. Medium body, with moderate carbonation and a bit of alcohol warmth that seems out of place for a 7% beer.

D - On the whole, a solidly executed East Coast IPA that has managed to stay hoppy for 6-8 weeks. I'll have no problem drinking the 22oz bottle, but I doubt I'll buy this again as there are better beers priced less than $10/bomber.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2012 22:18:59 | More by MasterSki

Mora2000

Texas

3.9/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to my brother for sending me this bottle.

The beer pours a yellow color with a white head. The aroma is heavy on the resin and pine notes, with a hint of biscuit malt thrown in. The flavor is very similar, with the resinous notes coming through. There is also a decent amount of orange citrus, as well as some biscuit malt that keeps the bitterness low. Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2012 04:53:55 | More by Mora2000

avalon07

South Carolina

4.33/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured from a bottle to a pint glass. Had an orange color and a hazy consistency. There was an inch of foamy, fairly long-lasting head. Great lacing.

S: A strong aroma of hops, pine, malt, and something sugary.

T: Tasted of pine (a very strong presence here), hops (a moderate amount), caramel, and a little bit of grain. Similar in character to a West Coast IPA. A rich, tasty, well done flavor.

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

O: This is one of those beers that falls between a regular IPA and a DIPA. Not that it matters that much. It's still a well made, drinkable beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2012 12:08:01 | More by avalon07

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a hazy orange-ish to yellow color with a light tan head. In the aroma, a mellow orange citrus rind. In the taste, a small bitterness and a small dry orange citrus flavor. A small bite and a medium to lighter bodied mouthfeel, with a dry orange citrus rind in the aftertaste. Nice citrus hops, and quite mellow.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2012 18:38:59 | More by OWSLEY069

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.93/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

weird ipa here. pours cloudy and thick, orangey yellow color, pale white head with decent lacing. smells like west coast hops, lots of pine and bitterness. nothing else really notable in the aroma, this appears to be a big hoppy beer. flavor is astoundingly bitter, especially as it warms up a bit. pine is the most striking characteristic, but there are also some sweeter tropical fruit notes that hang out for just a second before the bitter bomb drops. feel is alright, good carbonation but it feels pretty thick. also the dryish finish is sort of strange here. this is a pretty out there ipa, much different than a lot of the standard stuff out there, but i dont love it. too bitter maybe with not much else really happening.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2012 19:49:40 | More by StonedTrippin

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A rather hearty IPA. At least in comparison to the citra IPA I had previous to this. Well put together, steady, and nicely done. Can't really knock it - and thank God since Mikkeller is lacking in my book as of late. A nice drinkable IPA. As usual though, too damn expensive. Props to Drake's.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2012 03:42:14 | More by RblWthACoz

bluejacket74

Ohio

3.98/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 ounce bottle. Served in a nonic pint glass, the brew pours a cloudy orange/brown color with about a half inch light tan head that stayed around a little while. There's also a decent amount of lacing. Aroma is nice, it smells mostly like citrusy (grapefruit, tropical fruit, orange peel) and pine hops, along with a bit of bready malt. The taste is pretty much just like the aroma with the hoppy flavors being dominant. But the hop bitterness is stronger in the flavor than I expected it to be since the aroma was sweeter and I thought the fruity hop flavors would be more noticeable. Mouthfeel/body is medium, it's a bit coating and has moderate carbonation. I think it's a good overall brew, I liked it. $8.99 a bottle.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2012 21:20:43 | More by bluejacket74

CHickman

New York

3.88/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours cloudy orange brown color with a creamy 1 finger off white head that faded slowly, leaving very good spotty foamy lacing sticking to the sides and rings as it went down leaving a creamy layer on top.

Smells of piney hops, grains, sweet malt, floral hops, grapefruit, lemon zest, mint, herbs and spices like coriander. Hops and herbs dominate the nose and the sweet and spice notes both compliment and neutralize the nose, making it fairly nice and enjoyable.

Tastes very sweet up front, almost like booze with the citrus hops and floral hops hitting first, followed by herbs, grapefruit, lemon, piney hops, toasted grains, biscuit, grass, wet bready notes or maybe some cracked wheat, and then a bitter finish that is sweet like hop oil residue trails across the tongue. After a few sips I realized that the ABV is well hidden, and while it does peek through it does not negate the complexity and robust flavors of this beer. My only issue with this brew is that it’s almost too sweet, and falls somewhere between American IPA and English IPA.

Mouthfeel is very creamy and silky smooth, with very low carbonation, a slick oily feel and it slides down, and a medium chewy body and bitter finish that trails off like a sweet wet hop was squeezed into the glass. A nice IPA that’s good overall, but just a tad too sweet to make this a session beer; it was good, but a little too zesty and off a bit to hang with the big boys. It is definitely worth a try and another great experiment by Mikkeller.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2012 04:24:17 | More by CHickman

sevenarts

New York

3.78/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Murky golden orange, modest white head, light lacing.

S: Piney hops mixed with some underlying sweet caramel malts.

T/M: Really tasty and well-balanced: both pine and grapefruit hops up front, with sweet malty caramel underneath. Perfect balancing here, not too bitter or too sweet. Tingly and well carbonated.

O: A very good, balanced IPA with strong hops and almost equally strong malt presence, making it a bit different than the usual hop-heavy IPA.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2012 23:28:01 | More by sevenarts

SawDog505

New Hampshire

3.58/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a 13 oz tulip glass. Pours a cloudy orange red, with a one inch white, with some lacing. Smell is apricot, grass, pine, and grapefruit. Taste is that, but much more aggressive than the nose, with huge grass and grapefruit in the finish. Body is medium for ABV, good amount of carbonation, not very dry, and drinkable. Overall this a solid IPA, the flavors are a little stale and muddled, wish I knew the age.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2012 23:04:48 | More by SawDog505

AgentMunky

Alabama

4.55/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 22 ounce bottle into an Allagash cervoise glass.

A: Cloudy, almost opaque, honey-amber yellow-brown. Two fingers of meringue-like head have great retention and good lacing. Some bubbles

S: Excellent! Fruity -- sweet grapefruit and tangerines -- hops are strong and succulent. Pine and the merest hint of onion complement sweeter fruit.

T: A wonderful, one might say iconic, example of the American IPA. Expertedly balanced, with a biscuity malt base complemented the dry endtaste laced with hoppy resin, both of which are appropriate flourishes to finish off a maintaste chock full of tropical fruit, citrus, and spicy hops. Only on the aftertaste, where the garlic (Simcoe?) reemerges, does Invasion IPA do anything less than thrill.

M: Perfectly carbonated, lightly dry hops, round-full fruit. This mouthfeel has everything.

O: An almost-perfect IPA. One of Mikkeller's absolute best. If you're looking for a West Coast IPA, go no further. If you're looking for an IPA, go no further. If you're looking for a damn good beer...this is one.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2012 05:03:23 | More by AgentMunky

Mebuzzard

Colorado

4.03/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

another solid beer from Mikkel guy.
Burnt orange, but bright, body on the pour. A touch hazy. Nice white, off-white head foamed up to about 2 fingers.

Citrus aroma. Orange peel and pommelo. Soft green pine. sweet biscuit underneath that isn't shy.

Flavor turns toward pine and more so as it warms. The underneath malt is strong and provides a sweetness that couples fairly well with the alcohol to provide a balance. The lingering hops are strong and even. Good finish, nice bite and flavor.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2012 07:13:28 | More by Mebuzzard

metter98

New York

3.88/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: The beer is relatively clear yellowish amber in color and has no visible carbonation. It poured with a thin off white head that died down and left lots of lacing covering the surface.
S: There are moderately strong aromas of citrus hops in the nose along with some notes of pine resin.
T: The overall taste is very bitter and has flavors of citrus. Some hints of the underlying malts are noticeable.
M: It feels medium-bodied and somewhat crisp on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation. The finish leaves some dryness in your mouth.
O: This beer is very bitter and could use a bit more malts to help balance things out. The beer isn’t overly easy to drink due to all of the bitterness.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2012 13:39:04 | More by metter98

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.9/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a slightly hazy golden orange in color with a finger tall off-white head. The head reduces to a thin ring at the edges of the glass but does not disappear. Moderate lacing is observed.

S: Lots of citrus and pine hops are present with some subtle hints of caramel malts. There is a slight hint of the alcohol in the smell as the beer warms.

T: Starts slightly sweet with caramel hints and then the hops take over - initially there are pine hops followed by lots of citrus + grapefruit hops. The hop bitterness is intense and the grapefruit hop bitterness really lingers.

M: Medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Slightly resiny and a little dry in the finish.

O: Not the easiest beer to drink due to the really intense bitterness from the hops. The beer definitely has a great hop flavor but a little too intense and slightly out of balance for me. Not sure I would pick this one up again but glad that I grabbed it - Mikkeller definitely makes interesting beers and I usually enjoy trying them.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2012 12:20:43 | More by dbrauneis

oberon

North Carolina

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

Poured into an imperial nonic a burnt orange tinged golden with a thinner but well sustained white head atop.Citrusy hopped aromas really burst out nicely with underlying caramel/buscuit malt,there is a whiff of sweet alcohol as it warms as well.Pine resin more that citrus fruit is the main hop flavor on the palate with a sweetish biscuit base that holds thru the duration,again some alcohol induced sweetness creeps in the finish.A solid IPA with quite a difference in hop character from aromas to flavors.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2012 19:58:36 | More by oberon

brotherloco

California

3.78/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

22oz bomber. No date. Served in a tulip.

Pours a hazy medium gold. Got about a finger of off-white foam. Dissipates to a ring. A few swaths of lacing left in the glass.

Aroma is a little murky. Citrus fruits are there, like orange, tangerine, pineapple, and grapefruit. Brown sugar. Some caramel sweetness, but also a good deal of raw dough bready malt as well.

Flavor is initially quite sweet. Not surprising from all the malt in the nose, and my experience with previous Mikkeller IPA's. Plenty of hop presence as well, almost more in a bitter feel than flavor, but citrusy fruit does come through in the finish. Lingering bitterness is high, and quite appropriate for an American style IPA. Alcohol emerges in the finish as well, but blends in with the bitterness.

Medium-light body with medium, sharp carbonation. Maybe a coincidence, but has a similar feel to Drake's ales.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2012 04:37:36 | More by brotherloco

Nay

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Solid amurican ipa, too bad it has to be $hipped from Denmark. Chinoook/Columbus resin and pine aromas and flavors, clean finish, sime malt flavor, nothing outstanding. Still, very drinkable and no obvious flaws. Another fine product from Mikkeller..

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2012 01:55:10 | More by Nay