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Rampant Imperial IPA
New Belgium Brewing Company
- From:
- New Belgium Brewing Company
- Colorado, United States
- Style:
- Imperial IPA
- ABV:
- 8.5%
- Score:
- 85
- Avg:
- 3.79 | pDev: 12.66%
- Reviews:
- 489
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Jun 07, 2023
- Added:
- Feb 24, 2013
- Wants:
- 79
- Gots:
- 814
A burly and bitter Imperial IPA, Rampant pours a pure copper and carries the sheen of a rightly hopped beer. The Mosaic and Calypso hops bring stonefruit to the front seat, and the addition of Centennials nod towards citrus for a well-rounded aroma. The taste expands these hops with heavy peach tones and a profoundly bitter bite. There is some malt sweetness to stand this beer up, and Rampant's finish is bone-dry.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by bensbeers:
Reviewed by bensbeers from Maryland
3.21/5 rDev -15.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.25
3.21/5 rDev -15.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.25
Let me start of by saying that I really enjoy most of NB's beers; however, I am not a fan of their IPA, and now, their DIPA. Rampant, in my opinion, is a sort of quasi-imperial IPA. It has the ABV and the upfront hoppy nose/taste of a DIPA, but the appearance and complexities set this apart from others. I don't mean to be harsh, but here goes...
The ale pours out a clear, gold with a 1.5 finger head; slightest shade of orange, as well; head is soapy, but hung around for most of the session. Smell is mostly hoppy, but not citrusy/piney hops we are accustomed to; I sensed notes of pungent earth, grass, weeds, and chives. The taste coats your mouth in a layer of hops with a slightly sweet finish; a swirl around the mouth, though, releases some odd flavors - more like a compost pile than bouquet of flowers; more like rotting fruit than bright, refreshing citrus flavors; funky. The mouthfeel is one redeeming quality of Rampant; light to medium bodied, with a long finish; moderate carbonation.
The more I drank, the more I wanted to stop, but I wanted to give it a fair chance. Overall, a miss by NB. If this is strictly a spring-release, I hope next year's batch will be better. A tad bit fruitier and less funky. Give it a shot, though. I could be wrong...
Mar 16, 2013The ale pours out a clear, gold with a 1.5 finger head; slightest shade of orange, as well; head is soapy, but hung around for most of the session. Smell is mostly hoppy, but not citrusy/piney hops we are accustomed to; I sensed notes of pungent earth, grass, weeds, and chives. The taste coats your mouth in a layer of hops with a slightly sweet finish; a swirl around the mouth, though, releases some odd flavors - more like a compost pile than bouquet of flowers; more like rotting fruit than bright, refreshing citrus flavors; funky. The mouthfeel is one redeeming quality of Rampant; light to medium bodied, with a long finish; moderate carbonation.
The more I drank, the more I wanted to stop, but I wanted to give it a fair chance. Overall, a miss by NB. If this is strictly a spring-release, I hope next year's batch will be better. A tad bit fruitier and less funky. Give it a shot, though. I could be wrong...
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by stevoj from Idaho
3.38/5 rDev -10.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
3.38/5 rDev -10.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Somewhat subdued and sweet for a double. Looks great with thick, rocky head. Aroma is apples (?), hops. Taste is hops and apple juice, with short, dry finish. Sharp bitterness remains on the palate. Smooth for a double, but without the kick I was expecting.
Jun 07, 2023Reviewed by GuyFawkes from Illinois
3.5/5 rDev -7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.5/5 rDev -7.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
From old, undated notes. Poured from the bottle.
Clear yellow/orange color.
Bright white head; spotty lacing.
Light citrus nose with a hint of vinegar.
Thin mouthfeel.
A hint of honey saves the flavor, but this lacks citrus & is overly bitter.
Aug 09, 2019Clear yellow/orange color.
Bright white head; spotty lacing.
Light citrus nose with a hint of vinegar.
Thin mouthfeel.
A hint of honey saves the flavor, but this lacks citrus & is overly bitter.
Reviewed by iguanodon from Utah
2.81/5 rDev -25.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
2.81/5 rDev -25.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.75
[Original rating 2014-08-15] Pours clear dark gold with a thin white head, good lacing. Aroma is citrus, pine, a little floral. Taste is bitter, boozy, a little soapy.
Oct 24, 2018
Rampant Imperial IPA from New Belgium Brewing Company
Beer rating:
85 out of
100 with
2915 ratings
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