Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA - Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

davidsumner

Virginia

4.26/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Ok, Here's the snizzle.

LIsten carefully. Often times, the best comes with just dependability, adaptability, and commonality. This is what the Torpedo is. It reminds me of the movie "Heartbreak Ridge" ( yeah, I'm showing my age, so what? ) where Clint Eastwood or "Gunny" tells his men that a true Marine; "overcomes, adapts and improvises" to survive.

I was a sailor and I've been to many parts of the world and this ale in my opinion is a definite mainstay in my beer fridge for one reason only. It's a great beer that goes good with almost any meal; but at the same time is also good after dinner by itself and it comes in a can! What more can you ask?

If you think about a "quintessential beer" the Torpedo would have to be in the top 3 in my opinion.

Is there anything about it in particular that stands out? I would say no. But there is where the beauty of it comes in. It's a well balanced, good for all occasions, enjoyable quaffing beer.

The malt shines with it's yummy crystallized sweetness, but at the same time the hops are a definite presence and demand your attention. Magnum hops are nothing to laugh at or avoid. ( yeah ok, their not Centennial ) but that's what makes Magnum so very special. Sporting a much more "Lemon" flavor then Ruby Red Grapefruit like Centennial; this in my opinion makes for a much more versatile accompaniment for all occasions.

Want a good beer for Chinese? Here you go. A good Steak? Yep. Seafood, yeah, of course!

It's not too bitter and it leaves a pleasant sweet finish which I like. So the Torpedo, will remain front and center in my beer fridge forever.

My goto beer. Kudos Sierra Nevada!

Serving type: can

05-25-2013 20:23:07 | More by davidsumner

barczar

Kentucky

4/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Pours a slightly hazy copper with a dense one inch cream head that dissipates slowly, leaving modest lacing.

Grapefruit, pine, resin, and floral hops complement a savory toasted malt backbone to form the aroma. Fresh cut grass and caramel notes emerge.

Underpinnings of muted grapefruit and pine become fairly bitter and resiny mid palate, finishing grassy and moderately bitter. The toasted malt backbone is ever present, but does not outshine the hop profile. The aftertaste is earthy and herbal.

Body is moderate to perhaps a tad full, with moderate carbonation and slight alcohol warmth.

Resin and bitterness dominate overall, but there's a great malt backbone and enough citrus and grassy notes to keep things interesting. Great bang for the buck.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2013 17:02:24 | More by barczar

zac16125

South Carolina

4.14/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

12oz bottle into a pint glass
No bottled on/best before date. I love Sierra Nevada, but come on guys start bottled dating your IPAs!

No clue how Ive never rated this beer before, so here goes.

A: Pours a crystal clear, quintessential amber with 2.5 fingers width of light khaki colored head that has good retention. Leaves lots of lacing down the side of the glass.

S: Sweet citrus and piney hops, pale malts, some tropical fruits. Pretty good, fairly mild though.

T: Follows the nose except stronger hop characters. Some tropical fruit notes accompany a big piney and citrus rind bitterness. Soapy notes, lemon zest, resinous. Balanced well by a firm malt backbone. Really well done beer.

M/D: Full bodied, moderate amount of carbonation, drying the finish, ABV well restrained, drinkability is good.

O: From top to bottom, a really good IPA. For my money, its one of the best beers you can get in a six pack under $10. Always worthy of a drink.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2013 23:36:18 | More by zac16125

tviz33

New York

4.41/5  rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 16 oz can, served in a Duvel tulip.

A- Pours a deep orange body with two fingers of rocky off white head. It looks beautiful.

S- Awesome citrus in the nose. Some floral pokes through but I really just love the citrus smell on this beer.

T- My first thought was that this is a very balanced beer. It's got some good complexity to it as well. Not overly choppy, but just right. The malt provides a subtle sweetness and some bready/ crackery character to the taste as well.

M- Full-bodied, creamy, smooth, and slightly slick. Nice.

O- All I can say is this beer is solid.

Serving type: can

05-24-2013 01:07:30 | More by tviz33

jdhowe

California

3.33/5  rDev -20%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle.

A: Pours a clear reddish amber, pretty deep in color for an IPA. A half-finger of light, off-white head dissipates quickly. Minimal lacing is left down the glass.

S: Citrus and pine dominate, but the earth, alcohol, and spice show up, along with something that lingers a little unpleasantly in the nose. It takes me a full 5 minutes of smelling this beer off and on to identify what it is, and, after all of that, I can best describe it as "earthworm." Just a little off-putting.

T: The hops are a little weaker here, but still prominent. Thankfully the earthworm is nowhere to be found (not that I'd know, but I don't taste anything too off). Alcohol again shows through very strongly for a beer of a mere 7.2abv -- many 8-11abv beers mask their alcohol much better. Otherwise, the flavor is earthen, maybe a little wheaty or grassy, with a malt sweetness. All-in-all, not too bad.

M: Probably the best part about this beer. Beer is nicely carbonated and has a light, drinkable mouthfeel. Starts and finishes pretty light and smooth, but lingers/coats the mouth quite a bit.

O: Pretty good, but not something I want to have all the time (or even often). Many others seem to like this much more than I did. Even without the earthworm scent, the flavor profile just wasn't really what I wanted, but that's preference. Above average, but not by a lot.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2013 06:31:22 | More by jdhowe

tikk

New York

4.66/5  rDev +12%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75

One of my favorite everyday beers, I try to keep this in my fridge all the time. On to the review.

Pours an amber color with a light, quickly disappearing head.

Smells like a piney, citrusy hop monster.

Taste just builds off the scent. A strong bite of pine and grapefruit, bitter but amazing, the bitterness hangs on lovingly in the finish.

Mouthfeel is nice and light, with good carbonation.

Overall it's a refreshing light beer with a bite, just the way I like it.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2013 03:59:39 | More by tikk

PLACKERS

United Kingdom (England)

4.9/5  rDev +17.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

another excellent IPA - one I purchase and savor over other great IPA's. Bold and full of flavor . Well balanced; bitter, very drinkable, very tasty hops. Easy to get- reasonably priced. Can not think of any other IPA out there that is consistently great! A 'world class' IPA from California Overall, an extremely well made beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 19:59:29 | More by PLACKERS

who2host

Pennsylvania

2.39/5  rDev -42.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 2.5

I was very disappointed with this one. It tastes nothing like a "Extra" IPA, more like a severely outdated domestic malt liquor with a couple of hop pellets thrown in. It was almost hard to finish but I stuck it out. It has an almost metalic taste to it. The smell is off and the mouthfeel is just too syrupy. I'm not exactly sure why this has such a high score. I won't be trying this one again, I wouldn't even want to cook with it.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2013 16:10:22 | More by who2host

DenverHopHead

Colorado

4.44/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Wow, this is a very pleasant surprise. Expected a real good IPA, but not this good! The look and smell is solid, I expect more of a punch to the face with an exceptional IPA, so this one isn't quite there. Man, this beer tastes fantastic and my taste buds are calling for an encore! Can't wait to try this in the 16oz can to compare!

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 20:19:58 | More by DenverHopHead

mfanch8578

Indiana

4.19/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Top of the line mass-produced extra ipa. A great brew for the same price as a comparable boston lager. If you like Torpedo, you will love the seasonal Ruthless Rye. Everything about this beer is nice. Well balanced and executed. I will try this recipe at home. This beer has the characteristics of a small batch brew at a supermarket price. Bonus is that you can get it in the supermarket. I look forward to trying small batches from Sierra Nevada.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 03:36:19 | More by mfanch8578

Siriusfisherman

Montana

4.49/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Deep Amber/Gold with a touch of haze and very good lacing. Nice frothy white head as well, two and a half fingers with a semi-aggressive pour.

Smell: Pungent, spicy, fruity citrus, herbal notes, with a crackery, sweet malt back. Very clean and sharp.

Taste: Very similar to aroma, a big bite of bitterness hits first and then come in pungent notes of herbal spice and fruity citrus, as well as some pine on the finish. The malt makes a nice appearance as well, giving a nice toastiness to the beer that balances out the abrasiveness of the hops.

Mouthfeel: Well carbonated and a slightly oily, medium bodied mouthfeel. Very smooth.

Overall, a great hoppy ale! Not the typical pine/grapefruit character you get from the swarms of other west-coast ipas on the shelf. This boasts a pungent fruity citrus character with big amounts of hop spiciness, as well as some very nice toasty malt notes without getting to sweet. Take into account the ease at which one can find this beer, and that it now comes in 16oz cans, you have a real winner.

Serving type: can

05-11-2013 01:25:18 | More by Siriusfisherman

KYGunner

Kentucky

3.95/5  rDev -5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Copper coloring with a bright white and expansive head this IPA sets up in classic form.

The scent is far too weak for my blood it is a nice piney hop aroma. A light substructure of caramel malt is hidden within.

The taste is nice and smooth and easy and flavorful. Piney hops and earthy tones meld well with the malt backbone. So simple and so easy this is a great starter IPA for the craft beer novice.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 22:04:29 | More by KYGunner

JuicesFlowing

Kansas

4.39/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a shaker pint glass.

Look: Almost hazy amberish orange. Foamy cream colored head calms to a film with sheets and sheets of lacing.

Aroma: An almost grassy, herbal kind of hops carry the smell. Very faint pine.

Taste: Really good woody base underneath a layer of piny hops. Some more tropical fruit notes come through adding sweetness. A bright citrus finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, dry.

Overall: An extremely well made brew that doesn't have many flaws.

Serving type: can

05-07-2013 15:42:57 | More by JuicesFlowing

KickInTheChalice

Illinois

4.21/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a tulip.

Torpedo pours a golden caramel color, hazy with a full, frothy white head. A nice spiderweb of lace is left on the side of the glass as the beer wanes.

The aroma has a general citrusy tone to it, with grapefruit, tangerine, and orange blossom notes. There is a spicy pine presence as well. A little bit of sweet pale malt exists in the background.

Each sip starts with pale malt with a light honey sweetness. The hop presence moves in soon thereafter, with a balance of citrus and pine hop flavors. Sierra Nevada does such a good job of providing a well-rounded and robust hop flavors. The grapefruit and pine come through the strongest, with tangerine and oranges as well. The finish is bitter but clean.

The carbonation is vibrant and consistent with what I want from the style. There is a little bit of hop residue that is left in my mouth after each sip. It is a smooth and balanced IPA.

Overall, this is a nice and balanced IPA. A rounded aroma and flavor and smooth mouthfeel make this a solid beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2013 02:24:11 | More by KickInTheChalice

lordofstarside

Nevada

4.21/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

12oz to a pint glass, bottled 038...so February 7th? Anyway, somewhere really close to three months ago, should still be acceptably fresh

Pours a very dark gold with a finger of foam. Good visibility, though very clouded with yeast particles that probably would be absent had this been more fresh. Retention has dropped to a light froth covering the top after about three minutes, good lacing

Smells of juicy hops offering almost exclusively earthy pine aromas. Some citrus squeezes through the cracks, but this thing really reminds me of the mountains. Robust malty backbone has a nice grainy caramel and a splash of alcohol, comes together well

Taste is on the nose pretty well, upfront piney hops with some floral undertones. Sweet malt that's noticeably present yet quietly subdued followed by a touch of alcohol. Pretty good

Mouth is good also, very crisp with a strong filling medium body. Very bitter, very drinkable

Overall this beer is pretty great. My first time having it was six years ago in high school, and I remember having trouble drinking it without gagging. Now I'm 23 and I wish it was even more bitter than it is now. Oh how the times change! This stuff would be a lot better fresh, which is hard to do because it's a staple beer at every gas station and grocery store. When it's always on the shelves and so little people drink it, it's hard to find fresh. Anyway, depending on the date it can make it's way into my regular ipa circle, must try for hop heads

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2013 00:52:36 | More by lordofstarside

Jacurdy60

Alabama

4.24/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25

A-Pours a pale amber color with a thin, but creamy, white head that retains fairly well. Quite a lovely looking brew

S-Notes of pine hit the nose first and is followed by sour grapefruit, lemons, and a touch of malted sweetness round it up.

T & MF-The piney notes mellow out at the front of the palate and the bitter grapefruit takes over for a brief moment. Astringent hops take over after the brief grapefruit appearance, which is followed by a pleasant alcoholic bite. Body is thick for an IPA, very creamy. Finishes crisp with a flash of malted sweetness. Very smooth and rich for an IPA. I like it. A lot.

O-Absolutely exceptional. Mildly complex, but nothing you will have trouble deciphering. The mouthfeel is perhaps the best of an IPA I've ever had and it still finishes crisp. Hops aren't too in your face either, but they are definitely present. The alcohol is hidden exceptionally well, too. SN did it again.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2013 00:00:57 | More by Jacurdy60

mjc3151

Illinois

4.51/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

A - amber, light brown

S - Smells like pine, like you're in a forest full of trees. Smells very fresh.

T - Tastes very hoppy, exactly like the label says. It has a bitter aftertaste. But both the hoppy flavor and the bitter aftertaste are not overpowering. Very good balance for a 7.2% ABV Extra IPA geared towards hopheads.

M - slightly creamy, medium carbonation

O - Although I wish it was slightly less bitter, this is a very good beer. All hopheads should check this beer out.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2013 01:08:43 | More by mjc3151

Wamesit

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours a light amber with a light white head that gives way to clumpy lacing.

S - Peppery hops nose, Cascade hops, bready malts. A slight hint of fruit. Apricot?

T - Hops right out of the gate. Pine, pepper, and a citrus thread throughout. Wide spectrum. There is a malt element that keeps this very drinkable. Bready but not biscuity and dry.

M - Light but chewy.

O - Really great and amazingly drinkable for a 7.2% abv. IPA.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2013 02:38:45 | More by Wamesit

Big-Dog

Florida

4.46/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Warning: This beer is not for the weak!

The first time I drank it, I found it to be very strong both in flavor and in strength. It was very different to the lagers I'm used to drinking. After a while, it grew on me and was able to drink it with ease.

The main thing I like about this beer is that it actually tastes like beer, not a watered down carbonated drink such as Bud Light. Even thought it's alcohol content is higher than usual, I can't taste the alcohol in this one as much as in other beers. What I do taste is the strong aroma and rich complex flavors.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2013 22:47:48 | More by Big-Dog

jschwanke84

Oregon

4.26/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Poured from bottle into pint glass. Live review.

A: Pours an attractive dark amber and copper color. Pretty clear. Half a finger white head that dissipates in about 30 seconds. Leaves a nice lace. Very inviting.

S: Pine and citrus dominate. Faint hops and pear scent. A bit resiny. Pretty average for an IPA.

T: Pine and citrus again dominate here and I can really taste that hint of pear. Tastes very much like it smells. Hop forward with a nice toasty malt finish. Solid bite at the end that I love in an IPA. Perfectly balanced between pine and citrus. Really enjoy this flavor.

M: Medium body. Slightly chewy but still rests well all over the palate. Pretty good carbonation but maybe a bit under what I would expect in an IPA.

O: Nice dark amber color is very attractive but an average scent is a bit disappointing. Smell of pine and citrus with a bit of pear is nice but not nearly hoppy enough for an IPA. Redeems itself greatly in the taste department. Wow! Piney and citrusy with the pear underlay is amazing. More hops than you would expect based on the scent, but very hop forward with a nice smooth toasty malt finish and a bite. This amazing taste outweighs the disappointing scent and average body. Great IPA! Would recommend to anyone.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2013 01:22:25 | More by jschwanke84

jonb5

United Kingdom (England)

4.28/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

355ml bottle, poured into Leffe chalice.

A: Golden, hazy, half finger head, not great retention but lots of lacing.

S: Cascade, mango, citrus.

T: Mango, citrus, grass, pine, apple, balanced out by slightly bitter finish. Not overly bitter and hid the booze well.

M: Smooth, light body, well carbonated. Went down very well.

O: The longer I nursed it, the stronger the aroma and taste became. Less bitter than I expected, I hope the long journey didn't have a negative effect. Very good.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2013 14:23:44 | More by jonb5

3en

New York

4.99/5  rDev +20%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

crisp, refreshing, bold, subtle grapefruit flavor...one of the best bottled IPA's out there!

crisp, refreshing, bold, subtle grapefruit flavor...one of the best bottled IPA's out there!

crisp, refreshing, bold, subtle grapefruit flavor...one of the best bottled IPA's out there!

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2013 17:30:28 | More by 3en

roundthewaygirls

Virginia

3.64/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

poured into a pint glass.

A: beautiful orange. a finger of thick, frothy, off-white foam that lingers. not quite clear. tiny bubbles rising to the top.

S: piney hops, citrus fruit, herbal/floral.

T: overwhelming hops up front coat the palate. herbal, citrus notes. nice malt. alcohol is completely concealed despite slightly above average abv.

M: well carbonated, medium bodied, good.

O: i've had it a million times. great warm weather beer. characteristic sierra nevada hop profile turned up a bit. at 7.20% abv, it gets the job done.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2013 23:22:55 | More by roundthewaygirls

emmasrue1

Michigan

4.54/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

One of the best beers I have had. The IPA pales (LOL) compared to it. Bought in a 16 oz. can and placed in a nice 16 oz. pilsner glass. Delicious. Great beer. Will taste great in the Summer if you are out on a boat. Tastes great in a stubby old fashioned beer glass also.

Serving type: can

04-16-2013 17:32:01 | More by emmasrue1

estlinska

Arkansas

4.54/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from the bottle to a tulip glass on 4/14/13. The color of this beer is a deep orange to amber, like thick pine sap. It is quite lively in the glass with lots of carbonation evident. The light penetration is pretty good; no haze or sediment evident. There is a thick 2cm of sandy white colored head to the top of the glass, but dissipates rather quickly. Lacing is pretty thick throughout the glass. The smell is almost exclusively hops. The malt is muted and maybe lends a caramel sweetness. The hops, like in most good IPAs, takes the front row in this show. The most dominant note at first if the piney and resinous prototypical smell of a good northwestern IPA. Then there is the sweet tropical fruit that is muted at first, but blossoms throughout the glass as it warms a little. There is lots of juicy oranges and nectarines especially as you continue to smell it. The taste is definitely showcasing the hops for sure. The pine is there up front, but then the citrus takes the bulk of the flavor. The juicy oranges and nectarines are there still and are the star of this show. There is a good, strong bittering backbone that plays balance to the muted caramel malts. The caramel malts are sweet, but I would like a little more to handle the hops. The mouthfeel is very dry, very bitter, and has a good body. Overall, this is an excellent beer and an excellent example of the style of an American IPA.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 23:20:17 | More by estlinska