Bitter Valentine - Williamsburg AleWerks

MusicaleMike

Pennsylvania

3.4/5  rDev -20.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I picked up a bottle at Food and Friends in Philadelphia. I won't lie...this purchase decision was made entirely on the hype behind this beer. Bomber bottle with no freshness code. Poured into wine glass. This is my first beer from Williamsburg AleWerks.

Really attractive beer! With some coaxing of the head, there is a solid finger and a half of dense, tight cream colored head. Surprisingly, the head dissipates somewhat quickly for a DIPA. Lacing is all over the glass!! Really the most attractive thing here is the crystal clarity of this beer with that burnt amber coloring. Had to drop it a half point for the poor head retention.

Aroma has all of those juicy fruit smells that are all the hype these days. No wonder people are all over this beer. Notes of mango, grapefruit, light hints of pine and melon. Pretty bold aroma and exactly where a DIPA should be.

The actual flavor suffers in my opinion and does not hit the expected mark from what I got from the aroma. Way too much alcohol presence here, and that hotness masks some of the subtler flavors of malt. The hop bitterness is there, but is not very high. Hot on the exhale. The complexity that was present in the aroma is just NOT there in the flavor. Pretty much hits one note throughout the beer. Really what shows the most here is the alcohol, and therefore, I found this to be less than average for a DIPA.

The mouthfeel is a bit under-carbonated in my opinion. Better than having it be overly effervescent, but at the same time, this could use some more bubbles. Very smooth, and very slick on the tongue. Still, could use more carbonation.

Overall, I was seriously impressed with the appearance and the aroma. It made a big impression on me. However, the heat from the alcohol and the noticeably low carbonation brought it down from glory. Would I buy again? No.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2012 00:58:16 | More by MusicaleMike

mooseo

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

22oz bottle into tulip.

A - Hazy orange-amber with a large bubbly white head.

S - Tropical fruits, mango, grapefruit, pine, sweet caramel.

T - A perfect balance of grapefruit, pine, mango, and sweet toasted malt. Starts out sweet but finishes bitter. Hints of orange juice and caramel. No alcohol evident.

M - Smooth, a bit chewy, medium-full body. Warming alcohol, dry finish.

O - This is an awesome double IPA. Easy to drink, balanced, and packed with flavor. Definitely above average, I wish it was available all the time.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 02:39:40 | More by mooseo

pk18

Wisconsin

4/5  rDev -7%

05-13-2013 01:42:55 | More by pk18

beernads

Florida

3.5/5  rDev -18.6%

05-09-2013 06:12:16 | More by beernads

RayUF07

Florida

4.5/5  rDev +4.7%

05-07-2013 03:07:52 | More by RayUF07

CheapBeerBuzz

California

4/5  rDev -7%

05-05-2013 02:09:26 | More by CheapBeerBuzz

zrab11

Indiana

4.25/5  rDev -1.2%

04-25-2013 12:47:42 | More by zrab11

ElderPuma

Wisconsin

4.34/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Appearance is quite nice as it pours a solid copper color and is nearly clear but not quite. A one to two finger frithy white head leaves some nice kacing behind as it is consumed.

Aroma is heavy tropical fruits balanced nicely on a malty caramel grain bill. In addition, a decent alcohol presence in the nose also exists. The aroma leaves me optimistic that the flavor may be smiliar to dreadnaught or other world class IPAs.

The taste is a medley of tropical fruit up front that mellow to a malty caramel background which washes out to a crisp a somewhat hot finish making it very easy to come back for additional drinks.

Mouth feel is light ot medium bodied but very crisp and clean making it a great summer session beer that goes down easy and smooth.

Overall a very good example of the style and one that I would certainly grab more of for the summer if I had local access to it.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2013 00:12:57 | More by ElderPuma

Dagsy

California

4.75/5  rDev +10.5%

04-20-2013 22:38:39 | More by Dagsy

Tacoboomerang

Virginia

4.75/5  rDev +10.5%

04-20-2013 20:35:39 | More by Tacoboomerang

Rbodacious

Virginia

4.5/5  rDev +4.7%

04-15-2013 22:39:55 | More by Rbodacious

robwestcott

Indiana

4.66/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Big thanks to SToneyBrew for this one.

Poured cold from the bottle a translucent deep copper to a dogfish head signature glass with a finger and a half foamy white head leaving a sheet of sticky lace to the rim.

Big aroma floral and grassy hops.

Big bodied, creamy smooth, hot going down, medium bitter, sweet hint of strawberries (?)

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 22:57:10 | More by robwestcott

JandJMD

Maryland

4.25/5  rDev -1.2%

04-13-2013 20:43:12 | More by JandJMD

resistdefy

District of Columbia

3.75/5  rDev -12.8%

04-13-2013 00:23:31 | More by resistdefy

Pando

Connecticut

4.25/5  rDev -1.2%

04-10-2013 03:46:16 | More by Pando

Damian74Shensky

South Carolina

4.75/5  rDev +10.5%

04-07-2013 18:15:07 | More by Damian74Shensky

thegerm87

Connecticut

4/5  rDev -7%

04-06-2013 17:13:00 | More by thegerm87

Beer-A-Lot

Virginia

4.19/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Although this is by no means my favorite style, I found Bitter Valentine to be delicious and quite easy to drink with milder hops than I feared. This beer grows on you even if you prefer lower bitterness. Great complexity of flavors and just the right mouthfeel for the taste and abv. So far, this is my favorite of the style. While others might be hop bombs, I prefer this milder example. I will drink this again as soon as I can.

Serving type: on-tap

04-05-2013 00:03:48 | More by Beer-A-Lot

mhaugo

California

4.21/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

22 ounce bomber. Decanted into an imperial pint glass.
Appearance: Almost perfectly clear copper color. Thin head that barely holds together. Slight haze.
Smell: Sharp resin and pine. Sweetness followed by a hint of mint.
Taste: Citrus pith bite. Lingering bitterness, but not unpleasant. In fact, it is very nice. But it’s followed by a faint, odd sulfur aftertaste.
Mouthfeel: Smooth and rounded.
Overall: Certainly a big double IPA, but very palatable. Not over the top in any regard. I like it a lot.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 03:58:18 | More by mhaugo

SpeedwayJim

New York

4.16/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Big thanks to Sam for this one. 22oz. bottle into a Founders snifter.

Pours a creamy 1 finger white head with moderate retention. Beer is a clear orange-goldenrod. Lacing is thick and layered with excellent stick. Real nice looking beer.

Nose is sweet citrus, pine sap hoppiness, cane sugar, pineapple and other tropical fruits. Aromatic and very enticing. Good balance too.

Opens sweet citrus, mango and passion fruit. Grapefruit hop bitterness balanced with a robust cane sugar malt backbone at the middle. Ends slightly tart citrus and very, very dry. Sappy hop finish with a lingering, bittersweet and just a touch of caramel aftertaste. Really tasty.

Light to medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Quenching and smooth in the mouth and goes down dry and puckering. Finishes dry with a sticky, lingering aftertaste. Appropriate for the style. Real drinkable.

Another above-average offering from Williamsberg Alewerks. The flavor here is complex and balanced and the aroma and feel are spot on. Quite the looker too. Definitely a beer to seek out.

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 00:18:10 | More by SpeedwayJim

fredmugs

Indiana

4.25/5  rDev -1.2%

04-01-2013 18:01:15 | More by fredmugs

mendvicdog

Maryland

4/5  rDev -7%

03-28-2013 14:15:19 | More by mendvicdog

DRBiser

Maryland

4.25/5  rDev -1.2%

03-28-2013 03:53:43 | More by DRBiser

duceswild

Maryland

4.5/5  rDev +4.7%

03-28-2013 03:29:23 | More by duceswild

JoninVT

New Hampshire

4.25/5  rDev -1.2%

03-24-2013 23:06:57 | More by JoninVT