Green Monsta IPA - Wachusett Brewing Company

ppoitras

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +18.7%
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

rudzud

Massachusetts

3.45/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On cask at The Boynton in Worcester,MA.

A - Poured into a standard pint glass a crystal clear copper with a sudsy quarter inch head that fades slowly to leave a light halo and no sidelacing.

S - Average malt and hops. Light floral but fairly standard.

T - light citrus hops and floral notes with slight carmel malts.

M - Average cask mouthfeel. Nice ans creamy andlow carbonation.

O - A very unimpressive wachusett ipa. Huge disappointment.

Serving type: cask

07-24-2011 00:26:44 | More by rudzud

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

4.3/5  rDev +20.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25

The CANQuest (TM) owes big ups and major props to Dennho for noticing that I had added this beer to my Wants/Wish List and then CANtacting me to verify my shipping address to send me a couple. One went to my local, in-person trader, tone77, last night and it looks like I have beaten him to the punch in terms of getting my review in.

From the CAN: "Unfiltered Ameri[CAN] India Pale Ale"; "Pack It In, Pack It Out."; "100% Endlessly Recyclable Aluminum C[AN]"; "Enjoy With Friends [undersigned] Mel Kevin Quincy [(?)]".

First of all, having spent a good deal of time in Boston, the name should have an "h" appended to it so that it will really capture the down east accent, ie. "Monstah". Secondly, the Crack and Glug made me realize just how much I would miss them if we went to the 360 degree CAN that Sly Fox is now promoting. I was going with the inverted pour until the head began to foam up to the point that I had to back off. The scent of pine was so strong that I thought that someone had perhaps left a car's air freshener in my kitchen. When all was said and done, I had a dense, rocky finger of tawny head with great retention in the face of today's humidity. It has been unseasonably cool up until now and suddenly it is as humid as July. Color was an oh-so-slightly hazy orangish-amber. Leaning in, I really caught a whiff of the grapefruit odor accompanying the pine scent and simultaneously, my mouth began to water and I emitted a terrific sneeze! I love when that happens. I could wait no longer and got a big mouthful rolling around on my tongue. Mouthfeel was medium and the pine and grapefruit flavors not only commingled but were joined by a caramel sweetness from the malt. If they truly sell this at Fenway Park, it is time for me to make another visit. Finish was dry, very dry, like alum and I was sweating like a junkie awaiting his next fix. The lacing that had begun to appear was going to require the pneumatic drill that I keep out back for just such instances to remove. Well done, you Wachusett boys!

Serving type: can

05-22-2013 22:59:11 | More by woodychandler

tronester

Oklahoma

3.58/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A clear golden orange in color with a thin off-white head. Aromas of caramel and lemon. Taste begins with some apricot, then some light caramel, then some herbal grassy flavors. The finish is piney and minty. Mouthfeel is good. Overall a pretty good ipa.

Serving type: on-tap

05-12-2013 22:27:06 | More by tronester

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.65/5  rDev +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

3beerdudes

Connecticut

2.89/5  rDev -19.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Loved this beer at Fenway; bought a twelve pack of cans. Had in a pint glass. Average smell, appearance, decent taste, mouthfeel. These are a solid enough IPA for everyday drinking, but really need to have an occasion to enjoy properly. Clear, thin mildly hoppy brew. Way better at Fenway :-) .

Serving type: can

04-27-2013 01:51:04 | More by 3beerdudes

ryan1788a5

Massachusetts

3.59/5  rDev +0.3%
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

greenengineer

Massachusetts

4.3/5  rDev +20.1%
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

kangarooAdam59

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev +7.5%
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

BoardwalkBock

New York

3.23/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into an Otter Creek pint glass.

A: Typical IPA appearance. Nothing special, but still up to par with what I expect from an IPA. Good amount of carbonation visable.

S: From the bottle, Centennial hops are the dominant aroma. In the glass, the aroma is less distinct. Bits of pine.

T: Citrus and pine. Centennial and cascade hops definitely come through. Very slight hints of grapefruit.

M: I must say the mouthfeel was probably my favorite part of the beer. Good level of carbonation, and it lingers, which I prefer with my IPAs.

O: Not the best IPA, but I've noticed it is one of the more actively available beers here in RI since I've moved here a few months ago. Luckily, I've found a good craft beer store around here that provides much higher quality IPAs and beers all around. Overall, I remember the Wachusett IPA in the purple bottle being better. That being said, I would drink it again.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2013 03:38:00 | More by BoardwalkBock

Dools9

Massachusetts

3.63/5  rDev +1.4%
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

tdm168

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +11.7%
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

HalfFull

California

3.4/5  rDev -5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a pale golden with a hint of copper along with a touch of haze. Half inch of off white cap offers decent retention and moderate lace.

Oily hop aroma with citrus and pine notes coming through in full battle regalia. Touch of sweetness in the background and showing a slight hint of alcohol.

Tastes of orange pith and pale malts. Not overly complex by any means but nice and smooth in the delivery. Finish is a bit brief however and the bitterness doesn't quite measure up to the hop aroma delivery.

Decent coarse in feel with a firm grainy cracker character and a decent hop bite. Shows a flash of orange oil again before a quick finish.

An easy drinking IPA though the apparent sweetness does detract a bit as it shortens the finish of the brew. Does expand with warming to some degree.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2012 03:41:00 | More by HalfFull

lizzlethenurse

4.58/5  rDev +27.9%
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

mountdew1

New Hampshire

3.45/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured into an imperial pint glass. Initially had a thick foamy 2 finger head, faded down to a bit of foam with a reasonable amount of lacing clung to the sides. Color was a slightly hazy golden amber. Aroma was subtle, primarily a piney hop up front, with a hint of herbal citrus. Flavor was as expected from the aroma. Initially a bit watery up front then become strongly bitter, with a small touch of sour to finish it off. Felt thin in the mouth, most of the flavor was imparted on the ip of the tongue, and it felt watery in the rest of the mouth. Overall a bit better than average, but definitely not as standout as it could be.

Serving type: can

10-19-2012 21:55:34 | More by mountdew1

mdfb79

New York

3.8/5  rDev +6.1%
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

salzar

California

3.98/5  rDev +11.2%
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

C20Percent

Virginia

3.33/5  rDev -7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a slightly hazy golden-copper-brown with a smaller than usual bubbly head of egg shell colored foam on top. Preliminary lacing isn't great. There is some bubble action in the body and some decent complexity in the body -- tiny pieces of sediment floating around. The head is just not great, though.

S: Got a big whiff of rancid, sour, expired at first. Mostly malts. Some biscuit. Some caramel. Maybe some pineapple. Some fruit in there, but not especially citrusy. Nothing really grabbing at me. Probably just over average.

T: Getting a caramel malty fruitiness. Also noticing that the flavor doesn't actually finish into anything. Not getting much bitter here. A very light flavor over all -- almost sessionable. It's just missing that burst of flavor I look for in an IPA.

M: Feel isn't bad. Smooth and creamy. Nicely carbonated. At first it comes across as a light bodied brew. Ends as a medium body beer. Nice oily feel. Some chewiness which brings out the malt and toasted grain. Feel is good.

O: Kind of you just above average IPA. I will say this -- if you're looking for something on the lighter side, then this might be the beer for you. But, nothing in this IPA is really standing out to me.

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2012 23:34:04 | More by C20Percent

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

3.75/5  rDev +4.7%
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

JacobJustus1

New York

3.2/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a 12oz Pint glass.

A- Pours a nice amber with a half finger of head. Decent retention.

S- Slightly grassy, somewhat herbal...there's a little bit of depth here but not crazy. Definitely some grassy scents coming through.

T- Decent carbonation, slight bittering from the hops, but not near what I expected. Definitely some light grassy, herbal, and citrus flavors, but the herbal and grassy notes take the front seat. Not much on the malt end. It's drinkable, I'll give it that, but there is not too much capturing my taste buds here. Slightly oily flavoring.

M- actually Mouthfeel might have been this beer's best point for me. It has a good mix of carbonation and body. It's drinkable for sure. Leaves a slightly dry finish.

O- It's pretty mild for a Green "Monsta". It's not bad but there are so many American IPA's to choose from that I won't reach for it. It was decent.

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2012 02:43:27 | More by JacobJustus1

BostonHops

Massachusetts

2.98/5  rDev -16.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

12oz bottle served in a SA 'perfect pint' glass.

pours a clear, coppery amber tone while yielding a nice, foamy finger+ of off-white head. respectable head retention and lacing. likewise, nose is nice if not especially outstanding. fairly aromatic and obviously hop-forward, i get notes of pine, herbal, and citrus, and some malt character in the background.

flavor is a disappointment. wasn't expecting other-worldliness, but to me it definitely fails to impress. a bit overly bitter... the flavor profile, while mostly following the nose, is not working for me. sort of 'meh'... medium bodied mouthfeel with average carbonation.

what with the local brewery and red sox angle i really wanted to like this one, but, alas, IMO it's a mediocre at best IPA.

(originally reviewed: 07-17-2011)

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2012 05:33:31 | More by BostonHops

mhtrac12

Massachusetts

3.43/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Got this one on tap at where else but Fenway Park. 

A: light amber color. Nice foamy head that quickly went down, but retained its lacing all the way to the end of the beer

S: alot of floral hops to this one. Really sweet and pleasant. 

T: on the front end really sweet...really get a full blast of the floral hops. Not as much in terms of bitterness on the back end. A bit, but not as bitter as it coulda been. 

M:  medium body. Light enough to be perfect for a summer night at the ball game. 

O: pretty refreshing beer. The floral smell and taste are really nice but it could be a bit stronger with the buttering hops. But still wicked refreshing. Would limit to 1-2 for a session though. 

Serving type: on-tap

06-08-2012 00:30:49 | More by mhtrac12

Gambrinus1184

Connecticut

3.93/5  rDev +9.8%
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

WankelEngine

Illinois

3.58/5  rDev 0%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12oz bottle into a pint glass

A: Pours a hazy amber color. There is a small white head which fades to a cap of bubbles.

S: Fairly hoppy. Grassy herbal notes and some pine. There are also some light fruit flavors, grapefruit and citrus. Faint biscuity malt in the background.

T: Bitter hops provide most of the flavor. Pine and grass cuttings are prominent. There is some alcohol heat which complements these flavors. Not as fruity as the aroma at all, but maltier. Some caramel, toasted malt and bread balance the heat from the alcohol and hops.

M: Relatively thin with mild but effervescent carbonation.

O: A decent IPA but not really memorable. Bitter but not overwhelming hops dominate the experience. The lingering bitterness reduces drinkability so I wouldn't want to be drinking this all night.

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2012 00:58:09 | More by WankelEngine

ExtraStout

Massachusetts

3.28/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Had this on tap at BBC in Franklin, MA as an opening day promo for the Red Sox. Beers pours a bronze amber with about a finger of fluffy off-white head. Moderate retention and lacing.

Smell is hoppy, but muted. Mostly centennial hops. It's not a hop bomb and it doesn't smell like one. An inviting aroma.

Taste was slightly underwhelming. It's hoppy, but not overly citrusy, piney or bitter. A touch of malty sweetness was present. All in all, the flavor was nice, but just not pronounced enough for my taste and somewhat of a lingering bitter after taste.

The mouthfeel was medium bodied, a touch oily but otherwise, it was a nice, middle of the road drinakble IPA. Pretty good if you're in the mood for a decent beer watching a ballgame, but not much more.

Serving type: on-tap

04-14-2012 01:18:57 | More by ExtraStout