Winter Ale (2012) / 5th Anniversary Ale - Kern River Brewing Company

bierfreundlich

California

4.7/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A - This beer pours a hazy light-golden color, a bit like a light raw honey--unfiltered, a bit cloudy--straw colored. It has a large, 3-finger, yellowish-white head that diminishes to a much smaller, thin head over time. The head is almost describable as neon in color--as if the amount of hops used in the beer gave the head a slightly neon yellow tinge. Very beautiful and different for a double IPA.

S - The smell is incredible! It is so fresh and pure (mind you, this bottle was consumed the day it was released). The hops are so apparent but rather hard to describe. I've read that they used Falconer's Flight and Citra hops. They are citrusy and floral yet herbacious. It is reminiscent of fresh springtime floral pastures, chamomile, and other herbs. The hops are definitely the shining star in the smell, but they take on many dimensions.

T - First taste is unbelievable! So fruity, fresh and delicious! Again the taste is rather hard to pinpoint, just as the smell. But it tastes of light honey, fruitiness from the hops, maybe pine and thyme in minimal quantities. The beer is best enjoyed cold, straight from the fridge. As it warms, the alcohol peers its head above the floral/fruity sweetness.

M - It is moderately carbonated with a medium thickness in the mouth. The sweetness sort of lingers at the beginning, and then your mouth is left a little dry--tasting the bitterness of the hops more.

O - This bottle was had on the day they released the new bottles of this stuff. The release party isn't until tomorrow. I feel so lucky to live so nearby a brewery that is producing some of the most amazing IPAs and DIPAs around (and by "around," I mean the entire country). The process in which they add hops and the types of hops used are distinctly different from other breweries. I would venture to say that this is the best beer I've had from KRBC, beating their Citra DIPA. But seriously, in order to get the real experience of their beers (particularly their DIPAs)...they must be consumed fresh!

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2012 09:32:00 | More by bierfreundlich

chase2634

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +5.3%

05-21-2013 02:04:30 | More by chase2634

Topher78

California

4.75/5  rDev +5.3%

05-09-2013 16:21:42 | More by Topher78

caguiar

New Hampshire

4/5  rDev -11.3%

05-08-2013 20:19:00 | More by caguiar

cadaugherty

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev -5.8%

05-07-2013 23:45:23 | More by cadaugherty

jakecattleco

California

4.5/5  rDev -0.2%

05-02-2013 06:29:25 | More by jakecattleco

baybum

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev -0.2%

04-29-2013 16:50:27 | More by baybum

drgonzo2k2

California

4.75/5  rDev +5.3%

04-21-2013 17:48:06 | More by drgonzo2k2

marine1975

North Carolina

4.5/5  rDev -0.2%

04-17-2013 01:57:17 | More by marine1975

RashyGrillCook

California

4.5/5  rDev -0.2%

04-15-2013 01:29:56 | More by RashyGrillCook

SeaOfShells

California

4.75/5  rDev +5.3%

04-09-2013 03:47:04 | More by SeaOfShells

1424IpA

California

4.5/5  rDev -0.2%

04-06-2013 04:24:19 | More by 1424IpA

jpatton0127

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +5.3%

04-02-2013 15:17:06 | More by jpatton0127

brycevolk

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev -0.2%

04-02-2013 14:02:29 | More by brycevolk

drummermattie02

Texas

4.5/5  rDev -0.2%

04-01-2013 20:20:28 | More by drummermattie02

imyourhero21

California

4.5/5  rDev -0.2%

04-01-2013 19:18:22 | More by imyourhero21

beergod1

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev -0.2%

03-31-2013 13:34:23 | More by beergod1

kawilliams81

Illinois

4.41/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 22 oz bottle into a Half Acre tulip.

A- pours a dark golden with a 3" off-white thick head. Big rings and clumps of lacing cover the glass.

S- amazing! Honey, caramel, biscuit, huge pineapple and passion fruit along with more citrus and melon notes,.

T- sweet caramel, biscuit, pineapple and more citrus, some orange rind bitterness and some spices.

M- medium body and carbonation. Just a little thin but but is rather smooth.

O- very good dipa. Absolutely love the aroma and the flavors don't lack that far behind.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2013 02:33:54 | More by kawilliams81

arfenhouse

California

4.3/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A: Golden yellow with off white head. Good retention and some lacing.

S: Tangerines mainly. Pine and spicy hops with pineapple and a bit of mango. Some sweet malt in the back.

T: Grapefruit pineapple bite upfront. A very brief presentation of a sweet peach and malt flavor. Pine, spicy hop, and a touch of alcohol in the back end.

M: Medium bodied with medium-light carbonation. Carbonation is fine. Drying.

O: I'm pretty sure this beer is a bit older than I would like but it held up nicely.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2013 11:15:48 | More by arfenhouse

ACY73

California

3.75/5  rDev -16.9%

03-15-2013 21:37:11 | More by ACY73

BWH999

California

5/5  rDev +10.9%

03-10-2013 04:19:30 | More by BWH999

iparaez

California

4.75/5  rDev +5.3%

03-08-2013 06:08:49 | More by iparaez

DJButters

California

4.75/5  rDev +5.3%

03-06-2013 16:57:30 | More by DJButters

BeerRunner

Texas

4.75/5  rDev +5.3%

03-02-2013 23:14:18 | More by BeerRunner

SirBentham

California

4.5/5  rDev -0.2%

02-28-2013 00:21:05 | More by SirBentham