Irma Extra
McKenzie Brew House

Irma ExtraIrma Extra
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From:
McKenzie Brew House
 
Pennsylvania, United States
Style:
Wild Ale
ABV:
7.5%
Score:
90
Avg:
4.05 | pDev: 10.12%
Reviews:
24
Ratings:
46
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Feb 11, 2015
Added:
Jun 08, 2011
Wants:
  25
Gots:
  4
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
 
Rated: 4.02 by baybum from Pennsylvania

Feb 11, 2015
 
Rated: 3.75 by chippo33 from Vermont

Sep 16, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by orangesol from Pennsylvania

Mar 22, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by mendvicdog from Maryland

Dec 17, 2013
Photo of dubinsky
Reviewed by dubinsky from California

4.16/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
I’ve had this bottle for a few years now so I cant remember whom to thank, but it was part of a BIF that I was a part of. Bottle #138 of 480 served in a Deschutes snifter.

A – The beer pours a nice, dark amber color with a foamy off-white head, which quickly dissipates to a cap leaving behind little lace.

S – Nice brett aromas start off big as I take a deep breath, and are quickly followed by a peppery farmhouse yeast smell, with nice tropical fruit flavors and a light malt sweetness.

T – The taste is surprisingly less tart than the smell led me to believe. The beer is fairly malty, with stone fruits, ripe raspberries and strawberries dominating the front of this beer. There is a very prevalent oak character, which lends to a slight red wine vinegar flavor. Very nicely blended and balanced.

M – Medium fine carbonation is very effervescent and smooth. Nice medium body with a dry finish. The ABV is incredibly well hidden.

D – I accidentally opened this bottle thinking my wife would like it with dinner, not realizing it was a wild ale. Although she likes wild ales, it was opened to be paired with out dinner which I chose to hold off and save for desert. We both “shared” the 750ml, about 80% me, 20% her. After the 80% I destroyed I was very happy to call it a night, but I was not in bad form, making this a very drinkable bottle. I'd gladly drink it again if I could find it.
Jul 07, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by hannydawg from Illinois

Jul 03, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by jconrick1 from Washington

Dec 24, 2012
 
Rated: 3.75 by t0rin0 from California

Oct 25, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by bauermj from Illinois

Oct 18, 2012
Photo of weeare138
Reviewed by weeare138 from Pennsylvania

4.47/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Appears a amber color with a beige cap that slowly fades into a mild collar. Spotty bits of lacing are left around the glass.
Smell is of white wine, vanilla, sandalwood, muscat grapes, tart berries, funk, and citrus.
Taste is of the aromas with a sugary sweetness up front, along with a tartness and oak aged white wine filling the flavor profile.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied, tart, lemony acidic rush, and vanillin & oaky tannins.
Aug 19, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by DaveHack from Pennsylvania

Jul 22, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by JAHMUR from Connecticut

Jul 20, 2012
Photo of mikeyv35
Reviewed by mikeyv35 from New York

4.17/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Date: 06/07/2012
Type: 750ml. Bottle
Vintage: 2011
Glass: Southampton Large Tulip

Pours a very light brown mahoghany in color w/ a 1 finger off-white head that leaves light lacing on the glass. Aromas of citrus, lemon zest, touch caramel malt, wet socks, and fresh cut hay. The flavor was of citrus and lemon zest up front, leading into a burst of caramel sweetness, and then immediately into sour, dry funk, and Chardonnay. Well carbonated brew made this rather thin brew feel pillowy in the mouth. Very easy to drink.

Overall, I was impressed by this brew from McKenzie and am looking forward to sampling their other offerings. This brew was definately a dark wild ale that was pretty malt forward, almost leaning towards being an Oude Bruin.
Jun 09, 2012
 
Rated: 3.75 by BeerForHokie from Pennsylvania

Jun 08, 2012
Photo of FeDUBBELFIST
Reviewed by FeDUBBELFIST from Pennsylvania

4.24/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
750mL bottle #77/480 to tulip. I believe I paid $14 for the single. Slow gusher - but no quicker than the bottles were when first released. Lower-than-average bottle fill. Sampled 5/29/12.

A: Pours with a large off-white head of 4 fingers comprised of larger sized bubbles. Retention lasts for a few minutes, then decides to recede quickly all of a sudden. The etching on the bottom of the glass keeps a creamy film and collar on top. The body is a murky reddish bronze with the value on the darker side of medium. Spotty strings of lace.

S: First impressions give off a musty, woodsy, cellar-like character with light hay and funk. A fruity strain of brett seems to be lurking with the possibility of another wild yeast or two. Red wine and subtle strawberries. The background notes feature a gently toasted oak, a bready component, light caramelization and stone fruits, namely plum, cherry and apricot.

T: Drinks almost like an amber Bière de Garde - but with bugs. Despite the drying finish, this beer leans malty sweet on the front end of the palate with a slight cloyingness that is cut by a gently acetic tartness throughout.

M: The body is medium to medium-full and is enhanced by an expansive tingling carbonation offering a nice bite to the tongue. A light acidic smack with above average dryness...but still, somehow...lightly cloying.

O: Not that it was all that long ago, but I remember drinking this beer just after release, and thinking, "Damn, this is every bit as good as Saison Vautour." The main difference, truthfully, is that Saison Vautour continues to develop favorably in the bottle while I feel that Irma Extra was best within the first few months. While I never heard anyone call Irma a Bière de Garde...and wild yeast/barrel treatment aside...I think she fits pretty comfortable within the style.
May 30, 2012
Photo of Sean9689
Reviewed by Sean9689 from Illinois

4/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Thanks to Thorpe for this one. Poured into Bruery tulip.

A - Pours burnt orange in color, white head, spotty lacing.

S - Oak, light tartness, some fruity notes, and bready malts. It's too sharp, which I was happy about. Tart, but not overly so.

T - Fruity tartness, oak, light sour apples, berries, maybe a touch of spice. I would call this a "wild light" because it's just as much saison as it is wild. Finish is tart citrus and apples.

M - Light to medium body, good carbonation, dry finish.

O - A solid American Wild that I enjoyed. I am a fan of McKenzie, and continue to be impressed by either saisons and wilds. Looking forward to trying more from them and would have this one again.
Apr 20, 2012
 
Rated: 3.75 by thewimperoo from Illinois

Apr 09, 2012
Photo of emerge077
Reviewed by emerge077 from Illinois

3.85/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Thanks Mark for sharing! Quick review from written notes.

Pours a hazy reddish amber orange, with some clinging bubbles on the sides of the glass.
A few rapid carb trails of larger bubbles.
Acidic nose, some indistinct berry fruit that's hard to pin down.

Fruity and effervescent, with some acidic sour tang and light alcohol perceptible in the aftertaste. Seems to have picked up some fruity wine notes from the barrel it was in. Very dry and crisp, moderately acidic, the body is near perfect and it's pretty quenching. The presence of alcohol in the taste throws it off a little bit though. Really glad to have tried this obscure wild ale... never underestimate a brewer at a chain brewpub.

Sounds: Mark Lane - Who's Really Listening? (J-Rocc Edit)
Apr 09, 2012
 
Rated: 4.25 by daveytheformer from Oregon

Apr 07, 2012
 
Rated: 4.5 by SpillyBeers from Pennsylvania

Mar 18, 2012
Irma Extra from McKenzie Brew House
Beer rating: 90 out of 100 with 46 ratings