Green Monsta IPA - Wachusett Brewing Company

lizzlethenurse

4.58/5  rDev +28.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

This is one of my all-time favorite beers! A light golden brown color and often pours with quite a bit of head, which tends to stick around for awhile as I drink it (which I do find a tad bit annoying!). The smell isn't particularly distinguishing or intense, but there is a light citrus-like smell to it combined with hoppiness that predominates.

It's incredibly refreshing and practically bursting with hops when you drink it, yet balanced enough so that it isn't overpowering. You can taste a slight citrus flavor as well to match the smell. It is quite carbonated, which in some cases can adversely affect the flavor of beers - however, in this particular case, the amount of carbonation seems to only compliment the flavor. There is pretty much no aftertaste other than a slight "crispness" from the carbonation and hops, which I love (I very much dislike flavors that linger for too long in the mouth).

The taste is consistent despite the temperature of the beer, which I find refreshingly wonderful. I could drink this during any season, but I'd say it's more of a summer/early fall-type beer due to its refreshing and light, yet very flavorful, quality.

Even better that it's called "Green Monsta." Go Sox! :)

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2012 02:16:36 | More by lizzlethenurse

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

4.38/5  rDev +22.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On-tap 5/15/2011 at Doherty’s East Ave Irish Pub in Pawtucket, RI, served in a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a bright golden brown, with a large off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a spotty but thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma contains floral hops, caramelized malts and fruity citrus.

T: The taste starts with sweet flavors of citrus fruits and a little caramel. Then a strong but not over-powering hops presence comes in. The malt character is hearty but not too heavy and provides a very good balance. The after-taste is slightly hoppy and slightly sweet.

M: Smooth and very crisp, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is clean.

O: Very tasty, goes down very easily, not too filling, decent kick, very good representation of style, not sure what caused Wachusett to re-create the Green Monsta recipe, but this beer is a very nice choice to drink for a whole evening.

Serving type: on-tap

05-16-2011 18:28:49 | More by TheManiacalOne

greenengineer

Massachusetts

4.3/5  rDev +20.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

12 Oz Bottle into my Notch 0.5l glass. Served cool - warmed up from the fridge under the tap for a couple minutes

A - bronze, clear - not cloudy foamy head from CO2 carbonation
S - Nice hops, hints of malt
T - hop bitterness but with a nice malt balance. Really nice.
M - a little bit of chewiness.
O - Good IPA. Tell me how this is different than their regular IPA?

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 21:47:54 | More by greenengineer

ppoitras

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +19%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Enjoyed on cask at Brew City, Worcester, MA.

Arrived in a pint glass with a 1" off-white head over the cloudy coppery blonde brew. Tons of lace, with a long-lasting head. Nose is prominently spicy hops.

Taste begins lightly sweet upfront, with piney bitterness in the middle, which continues through the slightly chalky close. Mouthfeel is amazingly smooth, and oh-so drinkable. Would have this on cask again, no hesitation.

Serving type: cask

09-28-2011 01:07:54 | More by ppoitras

jbertsch

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The only time I have this beer is when I go to McCoy stadium to watch minor league baseball. This is the best (and one of only 2 craft) beers on tap at the stadium, so I always get it. It makes a great baseball beer. It has great flavor, unlike other "baseball beers" offered there. And I just associate it with relaxing with my dad at a ball game.

It's a dark golden brew, almost Abner....not exactly transparent. Head is fair and frothy, and sticks around for the entire time.

The nose is east-coast ipa all the way. Grassy, leafy hops with a touch of grapefruit and prominent caramel malts. The taste matches the aroma with a real nice balance between strong leafy hops and sweet caramel malts for balance. Touches of grapefruit are in the hop profile and the hops own the finish with a satisfying bitterness.

Above average in body weight with an almost frothy mouthfeel. mouthfeel. A little resiny feel to it.

I always find this to be a surprisingly good ipa that nobody talks about. There are better IPAs, but there's no reason most people wouldn't enjoy this enough. I enjoy it very much while spending a night at the ballpark watching minor-league ball.

Serving type: on-tap

05-27-2011 03:17:48 | More by jbertsch

tdm168

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +12%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - bright orange with a big, frothy, white head that has great retention

S - faint citrus, piny

T - piny, grapefruit, faint caramel

M - medium bodied, well carbonated

This is a rather simple but effective IPA. It has a decent hop character though not deep and has a nice balanced, rounded overall flavor. This is an IPA that I could sit back and drink for a long while. It's worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2012 00:02:03 | More by tdm168

BigCheese

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

From a mix 12 pack

A: amber copper hazy, nice tan head, some lacing but not a ton.

S: some cascade and centennial hops, pine and some citrus. Weak aroma overall.

T: taste packs more punch. I get an initial wave of mango, passion fruit, pineapple and tropical fruits. . Some honey malt is present to. Also some bready English ale yeast. Finishes with some floral hops and pine. Clean finish. Quite good. Legit hop character

M: slightly chewy but light, medium carbonation, quite sessionable. A tad watery.

O: pretty legit ipa. Better than many other local offerings. Nice tropical hop profile, with decent malt back one. Really solid option and great for the price, would love to try on tap, maybe next time I'm at fenway.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2012 02:57:11 | More by BigCheese

salzar

California

3.98/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours golden-copper. pours with minimal to no head,minor lacing in the glass. Big dry hop aroma. Big dry hop taste.Taste and smells like raw cascade hops. smooth and easy drinking with no astringincy in the back of the mouth. For a random can at a bar would defintly drink again.

Serving type: can

08-14-2012 18:26:34 | More by salzar

Gambrinus1184

Connecticut

3.93/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Served on-tap at MJ O'Connor's in Boston, Mass.

A: Clean, orange-amber color beneath a frothy head of thin, white foam which left little lacing above the loose carbonation.

S: Sweet and fruity with wafts of citrus and pine in the hop aroma.

T: Nice, sweet caramel malt flavor up front with a little bit of toasted grain. The fruity esters flash quickly before the spicy, floral and bitter hop resins kick in. They are short-lived, however, as the moderate, toffee-like bittersweet finish settles in, leaving some mild hop resins on the palate.

M: Pretty well-balanced, a little sticky sweet up front and sharp and grainy at points, but overall pretty average.

O: Not a bad American IPA at all, and certainly one with good balance. The 6% ABV makes it a good choice for a bacon-cheeseburger pairing to break up fats and add some spices to the palate. Outside of that, I probably wouldn't have more than one in a session.

Serving type: on-tap

06-05-2012 00:30:13 | More by Gambrinus1184

beerenjoyer1

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this beer in, where else, Boston! This beer is a good IPA. The appearance is clean with nice carbarnation and is gold to amber in color and has slight foam that fades quickly. The smell is clean and not strong like bigger IPA's. The taste is mellow with nice hops in the taste and finish. This is a very drinkable IPA and a beer a lot of people will enjoy.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2011 03:53:24 | More by beerenjoyer1

StLThrash

Missouri

3.9/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Nice to get this beer right after seeing it in BA magazine and the Bros. reviewing it too. Got this from my cousin (UHRHAN) who brokered a trade of some NE beers for 2 of my KBS...

12 ounce bottle with a drink by date of September 2011 notched on the label, poured into a pint glass.

A - Nice, hazy orangeish hue. Not a big head, maybe a finger, which dissipated fairly quickly. No lacing to speak of.

S - Lots of pine and some earthy / herbal notes. Definite hop kick in the face which I like. Some citrus notes and slight hint of sweet malts.

T & M - Very smooth and drinkable IPA. Again, big hop character with some sweet malt. Leaves the palate a little dry. Nicely carbonated and alcohol is nicely hidden. Drank it pretty cold and pretty fast so didn't let the alcohol come out too much.

Overall - Nice IPA. My favorite style and this was worthy. Glad I scored a couple bottles of this and looking forward to my next one. Is it a top notch? No. But worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2011 04:30:18 | More by StLThrash

chefhatt

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer when poured into a pint glass, it has a dark gold color body with a nice 2"of white head, that doesn't stay around long,but goes to a nice thin lace. The smell is of earthy hops. The hops hits your taste buds pretty strong, then a little bit of malt comes on the back of the tongue. The hops have a bitter finish. Great mouth feel, easy drinking ipa.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2012 20:47:02 | More by chefhatt

kangarooAdam59

Maine

3.85/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Into a pint glass:

A: light copper colored body yielding a decent one finger white foamy head. Slow rising bubbles are seen.

S: centered around the piney hops up front with some citrus in the background

T: spicey with the previously mentioned flavors taking center stage

M: medium with a fair amount of harshness hitting the tongue, most likely because of the hops and not because of the carbonation. It leaves a good dry bitter aftertaste.

O: this is a good normal American IPA that I would come back to.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 00:56:30 | More by kangarooAdam59

Wasatch

Utah

3.85/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Thanks goes out to TheManiacalOne for this brew.

Pours a nice hazy golden yellow color, nice carbonation, nice one-finger creamy/foamy off-white head, with some nice sticky lacing left behind. The nose is a very nice blend of hops/malts, a nice citrus note. The taste is hoppy, malty, sweet, with some citrus notes. Medium Body, nice dry/bitter finish. A tasty brew, glad I got a chance to try it.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2011 23:46:38 | More by Wasatch

cpolking

Iowa

3.83/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This beer pours a dark amber, orange in color, slightly cloudy. There is an inch of off-white thick, creamy and foamy head.

The aroma is floral, herbal, grassy and crusty bread.

The taste is richly fruity, creamy tropical fruits and melons, along with floral, more so than citrusy. All of the fruit is on a discernible, but not overbearing crusty bread maltiness.

This is really delicious. Creamy and round, with a pleasing bitterness.

Thanks to TheManiacalOne for this beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2012 00:56:47 | More by cpolking

mdfb79

New York

3.8/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

From 08/30/12 notes. Had this on tap at Standings, served in a pint glass.

a - Pours an amber-orange color with one inch of bright white head and moderate carbonation evident.

s - Smells of light citrus hops and some light pine hops. Nice, though not as strong as I would have liked, At it warms up some caramel malts too.

t - Tastes of citrus hops, grapefruit, pine hops, fruity malts, and some caramel malts. Hop pine hops here than the nose.

m - Medium body and moderate carbonation. No real bitterness, pretty easy to drink.

o - Overall a pretty nice IPA. A little on the malty side, though some nice pine in the taste. Would have it again.

Serving type: on-tap

09-04-2012 15:13:53 | More by mdfb79

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

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

Poured from a bottle into a tumbler pint, the beer is a slightly hazed orange-auburn coloring with a tall, frothy, big bubbled, off white head. Aromas of resiny, fresh hops with a subtle citrus balance. Flavors are rich and bitter at the same time, with a resiny and peppery hop forward blast followed quickly by a citrus and caramel blend that makes up a solid backbone. The aftertaste is a little lacking, with only a hint of the hops profile present on initial tasting, leading to a slightly bitter, smooth finish. Good transition for people dabbling in the world of hops, but a bit of a letdown for the hopheads out there.

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2012 03:06:56 | More by GarthDanielson

Jwale73

Rhode Island

3.68/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12oz. bottle served in my Wachusett tulip nonic. Best before Sep 2011 notched on the label. Pours a translucent copper with a one inch, frothy, bone-colored head. Head settles into a soapy swirl and a tight band that coalesces around the edges. Swaths and slashes of lacing exhibit excellent retention along the walls of the glass. Nose express piny/citrusy hops on a toasted malt backbone Taste follows nose; however, less citrus and more earthy/piny/herbal hops with a bitterness that lingers between quaffs. Mouthfeel is light-medium with an assertive, almost prickly carbonation that lingers on the palate between sips and a slight acidity that lightly stimulates the salivary. All and all, a decent American IPA and I have to say, I prefer this version to the retried one. A solid offering and well worth your time if the opportunity presents.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2011 01:00:28 | More by Jwale73

soju6

Missouri

3.68/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a deep golden color with a big foamy head that fades slowly to lots of lacing.

S: Aroma of fresh grain, pine, herbs and bit of citrus.

T: Strats with a crisp nip and mild malt sweetness. There is a nice bitterness and a dry finish.

F: Medium body, crisp, smooth. Fresh and clean. Good balance, Has a nice character.

O: Nice IPA. Grabbed this to complete a 6-pack mixer. Enjoyable beer, nothing fancy.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2011 18:19:23 | More by soju6

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.65/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Served on-tap at M. J. O'Connor's Irish Pub (Waterfront location) in Boston, MA

A: Pours a hazy golden bronze in color with some light to moderate amounts of visible carbonation and some golden orange highlights. The beer has a finger tall slightly sudsy white head that reduces to a thin film covering the majority of the surface of the beer with a thick ring at the edges of the glass. Moderate to significant amounts of lacing were observed.

S: Light to moderate aromas of toasted biscuit and caramel malts with some tropical/floral hops aromas of peach along with a stronger aroma of pine hops.

T: Upfront there are moderate flavors of toasted biscuit and caramel malts that give it just a touch of sweetness. That is followed by the slightly stronger than moderate flavors of tropical/peach/mango and strong pine hops. Moderate amounts of bitterness (which is somehow not aggressive) which fades pretty quickly.

M: On the lighter side of medium bodied with slightly heavier than moderate amounts of carbonation. Strangely, it was a little creamy (as if it was a nitro-pour but since I watched the bartender pour it, I know it was not).

O: I found this beer to be fairly easy to drink and quite enjoyable - a nice beer for an early Friday afternoon of a long weekend of vacation. I found the hop presence to be good but more East coast style (rather than the aggressiveness of a West cost style). I could probably have a couple of these in a session because it drinks a little lighter than it is.

Serving type: on-tap

05-06-2013 11:59:43 | More by dbrauneis

Dools9

Massachusetts

3.63/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

BB 12/20/12, can poured into a tumbler.

A: Hazy golden orange, three fingers of thick white head recede to a skim, leaves pretty nice lace.

S: Biscuity malt, some light herbal and pine notes, some caramel and toffee sweetness.

T: Bready, biscuity malt, slight piney hop bitterness, more malt sweetness on the finish.

M: Light to medium feel, medium carbonation, pretty sessionable and goes down easy.

O: Not the freshest can but who could pass up at 6.99 a 12 pack? This would probably be a much better beer fresh and would be perfect for the beach during the hot summer time drank right out of the can. Actually kind of grew on me as it warmed a bit, worth a shot.

Serving type: can

12-09-2012 03:33:58 | More by Dools9

Horbar

Rhode Island

3.61/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

This is an awesome session IPA...THEY GO DOWN NICE..with that quality texture ...I can bang these babies all night!!!....just enuff hop with that grapefruit pop!!!!....Is it as good as the elite IPA's??? ...Hell no!!!! ...But you get MORE VALUE!!!....

Serving type: bottle

04-11-2012 03:06:48 | More by Horbar

ryan1788a5

Massachusetts

3.59/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz can poured into a pint glass. Best by 7/20/13.

A: Pours a clear golden-orange with lots of apparent carbonation. Two fingers of fluffy white head retain very well. Lacing manifests itself in the form of foamy clumps.

S: Fragrant nose of peach, mandarin orange, and broken pine needles. Spicy and herbal as well. Malt base or caramel and toasted biscuit. Not entirely complicated, but good and fresh.

T: Moderately aggressive push of pine resin bitterness. Pine needles. Playful fruity tastes of mango, mandarin orange, and white grapefruit. Crusty toasted malts with a hint of caramel. Bitterness builds on the mid-palate and into the finish. Drying, bitter finish of pine needles and spicy herbs.

M: Light-ish medium body. Slightly creamy. A touch watery and lacking in substance. An aggressive blast of seltzery carbonation overcompensates for the lack of dimension. Enamel scraping hop astringency.

O: A no-frills, straightforward IPA. A little more balanced and East Coast in style, though there is a good amount of bitterness. It would get lost in the crowd were it not for some sensible marketing. Its baseball connotations go a long way to sell it around here.

Serving type: can

04-10-2013 21:03:43 | More by ryan1788a5

Fluke828

Massachusetts

3.58/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle with a best before July, 2011 notched on the label.
Poured into a Liefmans Cervoise.

A-> pours a beautiful deep amber/tawny-esque color with just about a full finger of head with lots of sticky lacing. Fabulous nucleation (thanks in large part to the glassware I'm sure but still worth noting)

S-> bouquet is tough to place. muted florals, definite spicy grassyness yet no fruity esters or anything resembling citrus is detectable. Leafy hops are present as are bready/biscuity malt aromas albeit very subtle/faint.

T-> Interesting. Hops are obviously prevalent however without the dominating bitterness. The grassy notes from the nose are indeed here but what really took center stage are the malts. Slightly sweet at the start and through the middle with a the bread/biscuit taste showing up as it rolls over the tongue. Finishes with a sweet crispyness.

M-> Very clean, crisp, and refreshing. Fairly light in body with good carbonation.

O-> Very different than most IPAs that I've had, granted my palate isn't the most developed or mature so take that with a grain of salt. But this doesn't mean the beer is bad by any means, just unique and in fact it is quite drinkable and I would imagine will be very refreshing in the coming, warmer months. I would try this again for sure....

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2011 21:58:36 | More by Fluke828

biglobo8971

Minnesota

3.58/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

poured from bottle into a pub glass. Poured a "TV beer" with great color, great head, with decent lacing. The smell is of sweet hops with a slight malt back bone. The taste is very average, not much hop bitterness, not much malt sweetness, not much dank, not much of any out shining taste. Easy to drink because it is so well balanced, not in a good way. Would prefer more bite, bitterness, and sweetness from my IPAs, this one had not much of any of these. Will not seek this beer out again, but if its my only IPA choice at a ballpark, will drink plenty of them.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2011 21:08:34 | More by biglobo8971