Earth Thirst Double IPA - Eel River Brewing Co.

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

2.18/5  rDev -38.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Decent orange color, almost 1" of larger bubbled head. Not much for retention or lacing, but I'm a sucker for orange colored ipas. Aroma, ugh, where's the hops man? Bleh, some very mild hop aroma I guess if you look for it, not exactly inspiring in a dipa when you have to search and search for some semblance of hop presence. Seriously, I smell more hops in some pilsners.

Taste, same thing, sure there's plenty of bitterness, but hop flavor and mouthfeel? Fuggetaboutit. If you only like the taste of copper and bitterness, this is the beer for you. I guess it didn't really come out strong with the alcohol, but who cares, it lacked what it should display most prominently. When its not in the nose or tongue, jeez, what are we doing here?

$8 down the drain (not really, I used it for corn on the grill).

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2012 02:52:56 | More by Beerandraiderfan

FightingEntropy

Minnesota

2.73/5  rDev -22.4%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

I love the idea of Eel River, and keep trying them for the love of the idea. In reality, their beers--like Earth First--are good, but just don't seem to move to the next level. EF looks great in the glass--burnished copper DIPA with a fluffy off white head that hangs in forever and a thick lace. Excited at this point--and then the smell is big citrus and pine, and a funky stale. Maybe light struck, but doesn't seem to be that funk. Stale hop bite on the tongue with a metallic aftertaste. As always, I really want to like this beer, but just can't do it.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2011 01:29:26 | More by FightingEntropy

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

2.75/5  rDev -21.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Pours a hazy orange-ish color with a light tan head. In the aroma, cereal grains and a small hop. In the taste, cereal grains, a bit earthy, and small boozyness. A small hop bite and medium bodied mouthfeel, with a dry alcohol and boozy aftertaste. OK, really boozy and no big hops at all.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2011 13:41:12 | More by OWSLEY069

jbird8

California

2.94/5  rDev -16.5%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75

22oz Bottle
A- Appearance is a murky golden copper. Finger head on a 16 oz pour.

S- For a double the smell is not as abundant as expected.

T- Taste is what is expected from a standard IPA. No surprises,

M- A bit thick on entry with a subtle punch, again not as expected with an IPA.

O- Expected a bit more from this beer, probably will not purchase again.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2013 02:59:06 | More by jbird8

brodericksloth

Oregon

3.06/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

figs, raisins, burnt toffee malty taste

not much head disappears fast; no lacing

lingering aftertaste of figs

reddish coppery color

not my style...like the cleaner approach for DIPA; tastes like it might have got cooked on the loading dock. thought it might have gone bad, almost poured it out

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2013 00:47:29 | More by brodericksloth

Genghis22

California

3.1/5  rDev -11.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A - Pours a deep caramel color with a golden creamy head. Very clear, with some visible carbonation. Very little lacing.

S - Lots of caramel malt. Light whiffs of lemon grass and sweet citrus go along with the very sweet malt aromas. Seems like this will be a very balanced DIPA.

T - Sweet bready malt. Sweet citrus from the hops, but not very strong. The hops are subdued, and not the show piece of the beer, which is what I expect from a DIPA. The aftertaste provides some much needed bitterness. The alcohol dries the tongue and is slightly evident in the aftertaste.

M - The highlight of the beer. Good full body mouthfeel. Moderate carbonation with a nice dry finish.

O - Meh. Eel River continues to "play it safe" and not push the envelope at all. Their beers have the potential to be so much more. The only thing that makes this a "DIPA" is the abv, which is hidden fairly well. So many other good examples of this style out there, I'll pass on having this again.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2011 00:20:10 | More by Genghis22

iadler

Minnesota

3.1/5  rDev -11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

22 oz. bottle poured into a pint glass. Thanks for this extra Brian!

A- Pours a clear amber with a one finger head that dissipates fairly quickly. No sign of lacing.

S- Caramel and toffee malt. Some pine follow as well as faint citrus notes.

T- Lot's of pine followed by some grapefruit and lemon zest and a good amount of sweet malt. Finishes with a pretty boozy finish.

M- High carbonation, actually too high for a DIPA. It's slightly oily and not really a smooth and creamy mouthfeel you can find in some other DIPA's.

O- While certainly not a bad DIPA, it lacks the complexity and mouthfeel that I look for in the style.

Thanks again Brian!

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2011 01:14:08 | More by iadler

Mebuzzard

Colorado

3.15/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Served at Vine Street Pub for Earth Day. $6/half pint is way too much for this beer.

Pours a light caramel golden color. Looks nice with a slightly creamy white head.

Aroma is mostly malt and "dusty". Not sure what I mean by that. Maybe earthy. Not sure, but something is different. Slight grapefruit and citrus aromas.

The caramel and biscuit bakcbone is the strong point to the beer, yet it's not sturdy enough. The hops are over powered still. This has a decent bite to it and nice finish. Overall, this DIPA doesn't seem too 'double' in malt or hops.

Serving type: on-tap

04-24-2011 17:27:51 | More by Mebuzzard

ArrogantB

Colorado

3.15/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Picked this up for $7.99, big mistake. Orange color, good head. Smells slightly like hops, a bit of malt, so boring. The flavor was clearly a DIPA but was so lacking in hop presence that I was really disappointed. Overall this was very boring and I'd like my $8 back. :(

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2012 02:08:35 | More by ArrogantB

SolomonGrundy

California

3.23/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Finally feeling a bit back to normal. Think I can actually taste this brew tonight after a horrendous last few days...

The basics: $5.99/bomber and 8.2% ABV...

I have not had good luck with anything labeled as "organic" in the adult beverage World, so let's hope these guys change my mind...Their Triple Exultation was a disappointment (IMO) and also the Raven's Eye (again, IMO)...

Oh, and I need to mention I hate the freaking Philadelphia Flyers!! but not nearly as much as I hate Brett Hull and the Dallas Stars...

Good lookin' brew. A deep orange amber, nice carbonation. A fluffly head that leaves decent lacing. Good thus far!!

Aromas are atypical for a Lefty DIPA: more malt forward than I expected. Somewhat subdued all the way around - lacking in depth and complexity...

Flavor is a touch more bitter than the nose implies. Mouthfeel is where this really falls apart. It's really thin, particularly for a DIPA. I expected a fuller, richer brew, particularly given the malt forward aromas...Carbonation is nice in here as it helps to wash away the hop-bomb up front. Lots of hops in here, and they taste nice a "fresh"...A ton of grapefruit peel and pith, some caramel malt in the back. A bit par for the course, and not bad, but more body to this ale would help a lot. As it is it's a thin and hoppy ale. The ABV is completely masked in here, btw, so that's a plus...At this price point you can go Pliny and you're better off...

What I like most: The nice pour and "fresh" hops character...

What I like least: The light-bodied to thin mouthfeel.

Verdict: Probably the best ale I've had from Eel River, but needs some refinement...worth trying if you see it, but not worth seeking out.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2011 03:52:17 | More by SolomonGrundy

Mora2000

Texas

3.3/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks to bu11zeye for sharing this bottle. The beer pours a yellow color with a white head. The aroma is heavy on the cotton candy, citrus and bread notes. I get a lot of sweetness in the aroma. The flavor is a mix of bitter pine and grass from the hops as well as some bready malt. I also get some floral notes and a tad bit of butter. Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2011 01:54:15 | More by Mora2000

route66pubs

California

3.35/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

On tap at Tonys Darts Away in Burbank.

Pours a deep orange-amber with a thin off-white head. Halfway through the head is gone but good glass lacing remains on the tulip glass.

Virtually nothing in the aroma ecxept a slight caramel / malt. Largely disappointing.

I cannot say this is great but there is some grapefruit and pine from the hops and caramel from the malts. Bonus points here for being extremely well balanced from front to back.

The good balance leads to a nice, crisp, bitter mouthfeel from front to back with a good bite at the back.

Will I have this again? Probably. Will I ever seek it out? No. It is quite enjoyable but not at all memorable

Serving type: on-tap

04-14-2011 20:48:25 | More by route66pubs

emmasdad

Colorado

3.35/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I had this one on tap up at Hops & Pie, early last week. Poured a nice orange color with a medium sized white head. Aromas of citrus peel, pineapple and light malt. On the palate, this one was medium bodied, with flavors of grapefruit, earth and light malt.

Serving type: on-tap

04-25-2011 05:06:32 | More by emmasdad

snaotheus

Washington

3.35/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

22oz bottle poured into a large mug

Pours slightly cloudy coppery orange color with a medium tan head. Smell is mild but crisp and floral. Taste is over-the-top hoppy, not enough maltiness to back it up. Lots of grapefruit rind bitterness.

Mouthfeel is smooth and pleasant. Overall, not a bad beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2012 20:40:22 | More by snaotheus

DearthVader

California

3.48/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bomber poured into Duvel tulip

Picked this up on whim at Whole Foods yesterday. It's my first experience with an organic brew.

Great color to this beer. A deep amber glow that is slightly see through. The head is almost non existent with just an off white crown that sticks around until the end.

Smell is very floral with hints of hops with a good swirl.

Taste is very piney with a very bitter, hoppy finish. Comes off a little tart. I wish there were more complexities to this beer. Not much to it. Pine and hops.

Extremely high carbonation level. Definitely the most carbonation in any DIPA that I've had. Very light feel to it and it goes down smooth. Highly drinkable.

My overall impression is a little underwhelmed. I'm all for simple beers but I feel this needs a little more added to it. I'm not sure if I'll search this one out again. Possibly a good beer to drink during a cookout. The 8.2% ABV is practically unnoticed.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2011 06:43:22 | More by DearthVader

barleywinefiend

Washington

3.5/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Poured a deep orange color with good carbonation and a nioe white cap

S: Some booze, citrus, caramel

T: A bready and caramel malt, some Earthiness, citrus and mild bitterness

M: Medium body, good feel.

O: Pretty good, above average and drinkable

Serving type: on-tap

04-16-2011 00:06:50 | More by barleywinefiend

Bierman9

New Hampshire

3.53/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I bought this at the Georgetown Deli on 25JAN12 for $8.99 and quaffed it yesterday, 12FEB12...

Poured into an imperial nonic, the bier was a bright honey color with a bit of cloudiness. Carbo was abundant and steady, while the head was quite thin and off-white, with a little lace here and there. Aroma had a touch of caramel and some mild, sweet citrus. Body was about medium, and it felt a little light and airy on the tongue.

Flavor had some mild sweetness, with some caramel and toasty notes present. Ofsetting this was some citrus, which included apricot along with rindy, piney bitterness. Not a whole lot going on here, in this slightly above average DIPA. Prosit!

3.53/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

1442

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2012 15:46:38 | More by Bierman9

UCLABrewN84

California

3.58/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Tony's Darts Away in Burbank, CA.

Pours a murky honey orange with a foamy bone head that settles to a film on top of the beer. A foamy latticework of lace coats the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, honey, and citrus zest aromas. Taste is much the same with honey and citrus flavors on the finish. There is a mild amount of hop bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp and medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer but I think it smells better than it tastes.

Serving type: on-tap

04-23-2013 03:50:41 | More by UCLABrewN84

nickfl

Florida

3.63/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - One and a half fingers of off-white foam on top of a clear, copper-amber body. The foam settles slowly and leaves nice lace.

S - Pungent, spicy hops with notes of pine, orange, and a light sweaty note.

T - Sweet, thick toffee malt up front with notes of pine and sweaty hops. Some sweet caramel in the middle with peppery notes. Finishes with more sweet, sugary malt, peppery notes and lingering spicy-citrus hops.

M - Medium-thick body, moderately high carbonation, and a sweet finish.

D - Not bad, it is much more malty than I normally like hoppy beers to be but it works alright here. The dark sugar is overly sweet though and it kind of obscures the hops so that the flavor doesn't quite live up to the pleasant aroma.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2012 01:28:41 | More by nickfl

BucannonXC5

California

3.68/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Type: 22-oz. bomber
Glass: Stone Ruination IPA pint glass
From: Costco in Mission Valley (San Diego), Calif.
Price: $5.39
Purchased: May 10, 2013
Consumed: May 10, 2013
Misc.: N/A

Poured a honey orange murky color with two fingers of khaki white head. Nice foamy coat of lacing on the sides all the way down. Very good retention on the top as well.

Smelled wet Cascade hops, sweet floral hops and citrus hops (orange, tangerine and orange rind) with a thick malt and honey backbone.

Tasted a strong whiff of alcohol to start. Definitely not hidden. Seemed to then go right into a bitter finish. In between was earthy, grainy, bready malts with some citrus notes (still getting orange rind, tangerine and orange).

Medium body. Creamy-to-oily texture. Average carbonation. Abrupt bitter finish.

Not too bad, especially for the price. Pretty good value here. That being said, I am a bit sick as a rate this so maybe I’m just out of it.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 07:24:15 | More by BucannonXC5

srandycarter

California

3.78/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Pretty amber, somewhat murky, lots of head that stays for a spell. Plenty of cling lace as well.

S - Not much to the smell. Kind of musty, with a faint malt underneath.

T - Not over the top blow you up hops, but pretty solid malt happening. Tasty although not to style in my mind.

M - Medium to light body, good carb, easy enough balance.

D - On the plus, super easy to drink!

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2011 03:17:29 | More by srandycarter

KevinBrewer

California

3.78/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A- Vibrant orange-amber with a fluffy off-white head that dissipates to a mossy covering, leaving patchy lacing down the glass.

N- Soft, pleasant vanilla oakiness to the nose. Muted caramel maltiness underneath with a slight metallic twang to it. Really a subtle aroma, but the vanilla is nice.

T- Definitely tastes like an oak-aged beer. Dry and crisp toasted malt backbone with tons of oak and pine providing a strong bitterness. Subtle vanilla accents and a touch of citrus keep the dry bitterness from becoming overwhelming. The hops turn chalky into the long, bone-dry finish of bitter pine and oak. Some dry toasty malt and peppery alcohol in the finish as well.

M- Medium bodied with a slickness from the alcohol. Moderate to high carbonation with a bone-dry finish.

D- Overall, I was pleasantly surprised. Very dry, bitter, and oaky, which is refreshing for a double IPA. I would love to try a dry-hopped version of this, as the aroma was really the weakest aspect of the beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2011 04:56:46 | More by KevinBrewer

Rutager

British Columbia (Canada)

3.9/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance. Pours a pretty clear, amber gold with a finger of sticky pale yellow head that leaves some decent lacing.

Smell. Caramel, a little toasted grains and pink grapefruit.

Taste. Nice toasty caramel grains and decent piney, grapefruity hops. Nice bitter citrus rind finish. Lighter in taste than some dipas, but not a negative. Really nice.

Mouthfeel. Medium body, medium carbonation.

Overall. Really nice DIPA. Another random grab from a Seattle Whole Foods that turns out to be a winner.

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2011 02:27:03 | More by Rutager

Birrion

4.15/5  rDev +17.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Bought a 22 oz. bottle from the Earth Origins grocery store yesterday. The fact that this is an organic beer is what caught my eye. I must say that I am a big fan of big beers, especially Double IPA's and IPA's.

While the color, pour, taste, and smoothness of this brew are all above par, the thing that I like most about this beer is I noticed chocolate-like smell that you would get from a stout.

Highly recommended for the IPA lovers out there.

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2012 17:31:34 | More by Birrion

Docer

Washington

4.2/5  rDev +19.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: (3.5)

- This is a rather dark amber brew. Light hue to a mostly clear brew from the bomber. Foamy thick inch of head settles to a very even thin blanket of ultra-light tan head, large spotty ring in the glass..

Smell: (4.0)

- This has a really nice smell to it. Caramel malt, husky grain, bready cinnamon dessert quality to it, while balanced with a pine, grassy, and floral hop arrangement. This smells super solid and balanced, and both the malt, and hop aromas are unique to their own.

Taste: (4.5)

- Great bready caramel malt and fine malt. This isn't as sweet as I was expecting. That is a good trait. The bitter grassy hop is just right to balance the malt forward kick. This double IPA has balance written all over it as far as flavor. Light alcohol, and still an oat-like cinnamon dessert flare which is so subtle.. but perfect. I must have got a good bottle.

Mouth Feel: (4.0)

- This is a well rounded, full bodied double IPA. Its bitterness lends a dry feel, with a cloying, and chewy finish. This is a bit of a meal in a glass. Great.

Overall: (4.0)

- This is another one of those brewers that I rarely visit a beer from. I see their bottles on the shelves often, and am afraid that when I return to those outlets, they are the same bottles. I got this one fresh and new, and really dig it. It is dangerously drinkable, and I bet is a killer treat on tap. Certainly worth the purchase.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2012 05:59:48 | More by Docer