Sierra Nevada Torpedo Extra IPA - Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

standardcherry

Massachusetts

4.2/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

On tap at some weird bar in Miami. This was surprisingly fresh though.

A: Nice amber color. A bit hazy but not much. Nice white head that lingered for a while.
S: Fresh pine, citrus, and spiciness dominates. A nice malty aroma to back it up as well.
T: Excellent tongue bashing hops. I get the first huge hope bite that later balances out with the sweet malts. A nice pine and citrusy taste followed by some grassiness and malty sweetness. A bit of an alcohol bite as well.
M: A bit heavy. Syrupy. Reminds me of fresh 120 minute. Sticky, resinous and a bit dry. Carbonation was great for the style.
O: A great beer that was only hindered by the syrupy mouthfeel.

Serving type: on-tap

03-21-2013 04:58:14 | More by standardcherry

bensbeers

Maryland

4.23/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had on tap in Pittsburgh on a business trip. Poured into a large 20 oz. pint glass. Dark amber color nicely complimented by a giant 2 finger, creamy, tan head. After taking a whiff, I noticed lots of citrus and piney notes, but also some honey and vanilla from the malts. The taste was sweet and bitter...perhaps bittersweet? I really enjoyed the mellow sweetness that Torpedo brought to the table, but I wish the hops were more prevalent For a California, "extra" IPA, I was expecting a little more on that front, but the taste was overall quite enjoyable. As for the mouthfeel, the carbonation was nice and moderate and it left a slightly bitter aftertaste.

Definitely a solid IPA. I really enjoyed it, and I think it would be a great intro for someone who is looking to transition from Pale Ales into the hoppier IPAs. Looks great, smells great, and tastes great. A great offering from Sierra Nevada.

Serving type: on-tap

09-12-2012 23:35:01 | More by bensbeers

socon67

New York

3.7/5  rDev -11.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at The Good Life, Massapequa NY

A - Amber color, and shiny. Tan foam is a good inch high and stays around. Lacing is a nice sticky ring pattern onthe glass.

S - Sweet smell of fresh fruit, and a fragrant scent of fresh hoppy goodness.

T - Subtle sweet flavor or tropical fruit gives to a blended flavor of fresh oily hops.

M - Medium bodied IPA that is rich in the finish, but still pretty easy to drink.

O - A solid representation from SN. I still like their pale ale the best, but this is a beer you won't regret getting your hands on.

Serving type: on-tap

08-03-2012 23:42:32 | More by socon67

jethrodium

California

3.63/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap. Pours a golden copper one finger fluffy light tan head that has good retention and leaves a decent amount of lacing on the glass. The aroma is dank hops, grapefruit, light mango, and some light caramel. Taste has some sweetness with mango, dank hops, pine, and light caramel. The finish has light bitterness, but could use more. Medium body. Medium carbonation.

Serving type: on-tap

07-18-2012 19:53:22 | More by jethrodium

srv33

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

Dark yellow pour, fine two inch head, medium bubbles. Very hop-heavy scent plus a bit of pine and sweet maltiness. Taste exceeds expectations, hop-heavy IPA with notes of citrus, pine, caramel and malt. Well balanced for what it is, would buy again. Great IPA for the money.

Serving type: on-tap

06-30-2012 00:49:56 | More by srv33

zeplover1

New Jersey

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

I'm fortunate enough to have sampled this marvelous IPA from a bottle and today on tap. I read through most of the recent bottle reviews and concur and add that if you hear of this being served on tap it's worth the trip. On tap the head increases and laces nicely down my half liter mug on my way to Nirvana. I've sampled a few other Nevada's and this tops them all. NIn summation this is a fine IPA and I have tasted quite a few. Packs a high APV yet you really don't taste the alchohol. I use it to finish off my climb up the ABV stairs at this bar.
Rick at Zep Hall in J C N J

Serving type: on-tap

05-02-2012 23:24:42 | More by zeplover1

markmiller

New York

4.38/5  rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I sure do love this beer. My go-to for casual drinking, priced right at $15 for a 12pk. I'm reviewing this from notes after getting one on tap, which was even better.

Pours from the tap with a golden orange hue. Nice lacing and rings as its sipped.

Torpedo explodes with awesome hops aroma. Spicy and full of grapefruit and flowers.

High bitterness that tastes like pine and citrus in the best way. Just enough malt to make this so delicious and smooth.

This beer is sticky! Bitterness lasts and lasts and makes you want more.

Tastes so smooth and wonderful, the 7.2%ABV will sneak up on you!

Serving type: on-tap

04-24-2012 03:15:24 | More by markmiller

thedoubler55

New Jersey

4.33/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- A transparent amber in color with about two fingers of off white head and nice lacing retention.

S- Nice citrus notes with a bit of pine and nice mixture of malts, great nose on this one.

T- Well balanced taste, a bit more over powering than the nose. The booze is not so present but great mixture of pine and citrus, and malty.

M- Medium bodied with mid carbonation, sticky.

O- A great tasting brew from Sierra Nevada, enjoyed it very much, refreshing and well balanced brew.

Serving type: on-tap

03-30-2012 19:17:36 | More by thedoubler55

Tucquan

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this on 2012-02-18 in Marietta, PA at McCleary's

A - Very clear, Amber-orange with a 1-finger head and decent lacing.

S - Mild orange flesh, floral hops and pine. Pleasant but not extraordinary.

T - Medium roasted malt with light caramel sweetness. Bold and bright grapefruit juice, orange rind, pine. Bitterness is nicely aggressive and lasts long into the aftertaste.

M - Smooth and crisp with light-medium body and medium-high carbonation.

O - I had this after a 13-mile hike on a warm, winter day and I'm here to tell you, this really hit the spot. It's not the best "Extra Pale Ale"/IPA but it satisfies the needs of this hop-head.

Serving type: on-tap

02-18-2012 19:38:37 | More by Tucquan

JoeAmerican77

Colorado

3.25/5  rDev -22.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A fiery orange ale blossoms two fingers of furious cream... The nose lends a lot to hop bitterness and almost nothing to malts, which expected of an "Extra" IPA. Weeds and bittersweet pine sap formulate the main aroma, a little sickly sweet over ripe pear accents puncture in the foreground as well. First sip starts out mellow then quickly turns to bitter one sided hops. Pine, pine and more pine on the palate. If you wanted to show a friend what piney hops tasted like here's your go to. I wish it had some depth though. Medium light bodied with medium carbonation and a smidgen of heat out back. Overall I have to say this beer is nice and bold but far to one sided for my opinion. It took me nowhere.

Serving type: on-tap

02-10-2012 01:38:48 | More by JoeAmerican77

GetMeAnIPA

California

4.38/5  rDev +5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - nice rich amber color. Looks very inviting. Good light creamy head with a good amount of lacing. I gave the look a 5 because when I see the beer in a glass I can think of nothing else but how much I want to drink it!

S - smell is a nice balance of hops, pine, and citrus. The smell isn't as powerful as I thought it would. Has the classic Sierra nevada smell but with a little backbone to it.

T - the first rung to hit the taste buds is the citrus and pine, and followed up with the bitter hops. The malt keeps the hops from betting too bitter. The great thing about this beer is it has enough hops for the IPA lover, like myself, and enough balanced malts to keep non IPA drinkers reaching for a 12er or 6 pack, or even a bomber...that's another great thing about it. You can get the beer year round in whatever amount you prefer.

M- all Sierra Nevada beers have a more heavy/chewy mouth feel. When I preferred the lighter beers the Sierra Naveda beers were a little chewy for me. However, as my palate changed the mouth became a little less heavy. Medium among of carbonation which I prefer, not a big carbonation guy.

O- one of my favorite IPAs. It fits nicely between the standard IPA and the double IPA. You can't taste the booze and goes down smooth. Great balance of hops and malt, but heavier on the hops side for a great IPA. Priced well, good ABV, and easily available...thanks Sierra Nevada!

Serving type: on-tap

01-08-2012 23:13:23 | More by GetMeAnIPA

bravejoejoe

Montana

4.2/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Crystal clear amber color with a nice 1 finger eggshell colored frothy head. Nice retention and lacing.

Nice nose with light pine, caramel candy sweet malt and sweet citrus.

Flavor is good with pretty good balance. Good caramel candy malt character up front balancing light pine and citrus hop character. Mild pine resin finish.

Light-medium bodied with crisp high carb.

Overall a nice everyday IPA. Not mind blowing by any means but the fact that it's readily available and easy to drink and is a mix of west and east coast styles makes it a great IPA that appeals to Alot of people.

Serving type: on-tap

12-16-2011 03:13:26 | More by bravejoejoe

pielager

Minnesota

3.68/5  rDev -11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Sierra Nevada has kept with this beer from what I know of 2006? Maybe earlier, but that was when I wasn't ready for such am intense IPA such as this.

A well marbled medium Rib eye steak pairs nicely with this one, cajun and a little bit of smoked salt/paprika goes great. And beef shank stew prepared with a little bit as aforementioned.

This beer is great and will drink often, unless it goes above the nearly $9.00 I'm paying now.

Serving type: on-tap

10-04-2011 00:53:51 | More by pielager

adam42381

Florida

4.35/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Review from notes at World of Beer - Fort Myers on 9/24/11.

Poured on draft into a shaker pint.

Appearance: Pours a golden caramel with a 1-2 finger eggshell white head. Excellent head retention and perfect lacing.

Smell: Grassy and piney hops with a touch of citrus and malt. Smells like a beefed up version of SNPA.

Taste: Bitter citrus up front followed by sweet citrus and a touch of apricot in the middle before ending with pine and lemon zest at the finish. Aftertaste is bitter.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with a good amount of carbonation.

Drinkability: Excellent drinkability. Goes down very smooth. You could drink several without much difficulty.

Overall: Excellent beer overall. I really like the bottled version, but on draft it's even better. Definitely worth trying if you see it on draft.

Serving type: on-tap

09-25-2011 16:04:12 | More by adam42381

UDbeernut

New York

4.13/5  rDev -1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

on tap at the Dutch. pours a nice pale hue, sticky head with good retention. grapefruit and pine dance on the nose. caramel joins to party on the tounge. bitterness is cutting but palatable. alcohol warms. this is a nice beer to sip in chilly autumn temps.

Serving type: on-tap

09-14-2011 21:11:30 | More by UDbeernut

rarbring

Sweden

4.33/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This is a clear amber beer with an off-white head that leaves some lacing and curtains.

The smell is typically hoppy citric, grapefruit, dried grass balanced with a bit malty bread sweetness. Pine resin and soap.

An immediate toffee and caramel sweetness with brown bread, then grape-fruit juice and bitter peel.

A medium low carbonation, soft slightly oily, a good body and dry long pleasant dryness..

A calm and clean hop dominated brew. Very enjoyable.

Serving type: on-tap

08-22-2011 19:40:24 | More by rarbring

tdm168

North Carolina

3.78/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Lynnwood Grill

Arrived a dark copper with a thin lacing of head. Smells piney and floral; really enticing for a hop head like me. Taste is piney up front with a more floral finish. The hops are intense and very bitter giving this beer a bite. There is only a very mild malt character that comes through. This beer is medium bodied with light carbonation.

Overall, I thought this beer was good, but comes off a little too hoppy and not as balanced as I'd like. In comparison to SN Estate Ale, Hoptimum, and Southern Harvest IPA this IPA is just OK.

Serving type: on-tap

07-30-2011 13:32:31 | More by tdm168

jibbyvonjibb

California

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

Pours crystal clear, golden. Smells of pears and caramel from crystal malts. Some citrusy hops to balance.

Taste is grapefruit citrus and bitter, with brown sugar sweetness balancing in the start. The finish is quite bitter. It is medium bodied , on the malty side for IPA's.

This is a well balanced beer for what it is, but I prefer my ipa's with less caramel flavor and dryer in general.

Serving type: on-tap

07-12-2011 20:03:51 | More by jibbyvonjibb

Spider889

Ohio

3.83/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Winking Lizard on 4/8/11. Served in a signature Sierra Nevada imperial pint that I got to keep. The glass had a hop leaf laser etched into the base, sweet!

Amber in color, very good clarity, smallish head with just 'ok' lacing.

Smells sweet and hoppy. Lots of pine and light bitter citrus.

The taste is pretty much the same as the aroma. Mostly a pine-forward hop bill, but not really resinous.

Crisp, clean, and with a sweet finish. Very very dry though which became detracting.

Overall a very solid beer and a good value usually. But there are plenty of much better IPA's out there. I'll take a CIPA next please.

Serving type: on-tap

05-25-2011 01:21:26 | More by Spider889

afksports

New York

3.93/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I'm having this on tap at Amity Hall on my passport quest. This is one of those drying IPA's like Lagunitas, that tells me that maybe I don't like IPA's as much as I think I do. I love when the malts bring a payoff to all that hop body, but this is just grapefruit and grapefruit pith. Growing up, my mom sprinkled sugar on our grapefruit. Torpedo makes me want sugar.

So while I anticipate this could be a great we with food - maybe Thai or Cambodian - I'm at happy hour now and not eating.

It looks great though. Amber and copper hues chill in a tender haze below a well sustained head and tingly lace on the aides of the glass. I can see my reflection in the bubbles. The nose in it grows with a rising temperature, and my guess is this brew improves around 55-60 degrees. The taste is bitter citrus and pine, combined with a light biscuit bread malt that isn't big enough to match the hops. This baby is extra.

Can't see it taking out a sub, but Torpedo stands on it's own as it finishes clingy to the throat producing that feeling that a lot of people love. Hops. In your face. And your palate.

Ultimately it's not for me. I'll stick with SN Pale. But this is a well built beer available to IPA lovers at every bodega in NYC. And there's something to be said for that. Cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

05-19-2011 21:46:28 | More by afksports

dcook11

California

4.03/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a thick and soapy three finger head with an effervesent body that leans toward a light tea hugh. Very high levels of carbonation are visible in the pint glass, and ample lacing adds to the beers overall look. The smell is of fresh hops..piney, and resiny with a slight malt sweetness at the finish. The hops are slightly muted on the taste, but the pine and resin do come through. The taste is a tad bit one demensional. The mouthfeel is medium bodied. Overall a great beer for the price.

Serving type: on-tap

05-06-2011 20:43:24 | More by dcook11

oglmcdgl

Pennsylvania

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

A pint on tap at one of the best spots on earth to grab one, memphis taproom.

A- comes to me with a inch and a half cap of light tan head that rises above the glass for a second before slowly creeping down the glass and leaving a cm or so on top. That perfect copper orange in color and as the sun shines thru the windows its glows like nobodies business.

S- bigs pungent grapefruit and piney hops with a simple bready sweetness and a bit of toast underneath.

T- a tug of war between the bitter sweet grapefruit and slightly astringent pine all sitting on top of nicely balance bready malt and light caramel sweetness.

M- a bit less then medium in body with a fizzy mid level carb that keeps things easy and fun.

O- a great brew and one that is a gem on draft. Hoppy enough to satisfy the hop head in you and accessible to the masses. A winner in my book.

Serving type: on-tap

04-25-2011 21:50:26 | More by oglmcdgl

Hoptometrist

Oregon

3.25/5  rDev -22.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served on tap into a nonic glass at the Winking Lizard as the Glass of the Month.

A- Clear dark amber color with very high carbonation, and rocky finger of white head. Thick clumpy lacing as well.

S- Aroma of orange citrus, grapefruit, and pine

T-Strong pine taste, overall a pretty bitter beer, some light citrus notes

M- Highly carbonated, finishes dry, and very crisp

O- Overall the pine taste of this beer was too strong, not very balanced, and tasted a little too one dimensional.

Serving type: on-tap

04-02-2011 04:24:26 | More by Hoptometrist

atomicbeer

New Mexico

3.78/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a orange-copper with red reflections, one inch off-white sturdy head. Aroma is nice grapefruit, pine, and floral with some bready malt backing. Soft entry with creamy mouthfeel. Taste is similar to aroma but more grapefruit and a slight woody note. A more balanced IPA but still hop-forward. Leaves a really nice lacing as the beer drains.

Serving type: on-tap

03-05-2011 04:08:07 | More by atomicbeer

Redrover

Illinois

4.3/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served in a standard pint, the beer is a chill hazed bronze with a thick sticky beige head. Awesome lacing. It is a looker.

Nose of grapefruit and pine.

The beer is bitter in the best way, mouth coating pine resin, some citrus and a bit caramel malt.

The mouth is sturdy and slick.

I like it and will look for it next time I'm out!

Serving type: on-tap

03-04-2011 19:27:24 | More by Redrover