Kuhnhenn DRIPA (Double Rice IPA) - Kuhnhenn Brewing Company

tectactoe

Michigan

4.78/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the Park Bar in Detroit. You know, for living 30 miles away from Warren, it's safe to say that I don't drink nearly enough Kuhnhenn brews. So once I saw this one on the menu, I had to give it a shot. Pours a golden amber color with quite a bit of haze, foamy white head that lasts for a while, at least halfway through. It was served in a translucent, plastic cup, but looking from the inside reveals that there is indeed some incredible lacing cascaded down the sides.

The nose is absolutely wonderful; juicy citrus, grapefruits, tangerines, lemon zest, herbal tea, dank hops, floral, resinous, oily, pine needles. Quite a collage of aromas that typically comprise many world-class DIPAs - masterfully done. Even though you fully expect a DIPA to be a hop-forward, aggressive beer, the actual aroma and flavor profile can vary quite a bit. This one takes the citrus-heavy, pine needle approach - probably my personal favorite, and I'll be damned if this aroma doesn't deliver the message perfectly. Juicy, pungent, and full of itself - I started getting excited about this before I had even tasted it.

Much to my contentment, the taste is no slouch, either. Nothing more depressing than a beer with a great aroma and a lacking flavor profile - certainly not the case here. The pines and hop resins are a more powerful on the palate than the nose, but it balances with the citrus sweetness very well. Oily, dank, floral, piney, grapefruit rinds, oranges, and mangoes are all present in flavor. A surge of juicy fruits and pungent, resinous oils combines atop your palate and intertwines perfectly with the aromas that are still currently sifting through your nostrils.

Some very faint pale malt is detectable at the tail end with a slight hint of bread and yeast, but the aftertaste is mainly dominated by the bitter-sweet combo of citrus and hops. I'm thinking this faint malt flavor may be from the rice component of this beer. Otherwise, I don't really get much "rice" out of this; then again, what does rice really taste like? And how would it be detectable underneath this assault of citric hops? The finish is a mesh of sweet and bitter, with a touch of dryness and an elegance that leaves me thirsty for more. Medium-thick body, very slightly sticky but not too much, perfect amount of carbonation.

Wow, this beer really surprised me. It just reminds me that I need to start trying more Kuhnhenn brews, especially considering I live so close. DRIPA draws lots of similarities to Zombie Dust and Pliny the Elder, some of my other favorite beers, so there's no wonder I enjoyed the hell out of this one. One of the best DIPAs I've had.

EDIT: 1/20/2013

Had a growler filled from Kuhnhenn and enjoyed it over the course of three days. I thought maybe the first time I had this beer I was overrating it, but upon having it again, my initial thoughts were confirmed. This beer is freakin' amazing.

EDIT: 4/24/2013

I've been seeing DRIPA everywhere around town more and more, and it seems like Kuhnhenn has been carrying it non-stop. I wonder if this is turning into a "year-round" for them? If so, that's fantastic news. This stuff continues to amaze me. I can't stop in at Kuhnhenn without getting a growler or at LEAST a pint of this stuff.

Serving type: on-tap

12-30-2012 18:04:16 | More by tectactoe

ackeeper

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +3.9%

05-21-2013 00:59:20 | More by ackeeper

NJB145

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +3.9%

05-18-2013 12:10:39 | More by NJB145

campfirebrew

New York

4/5  rDev -7.6%

05-18-2013 12:10:02 | More by campfirebrew

DanGeo

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +3.9%

05-16-2013 11:31:25 | More by DanGeo

HarmonMW

Michigan

4.75/5  rDev +9.7%

05-14-2013 01:25:42 | More by HarmonMW

ajzy

Wisconsin

5/5  rDev +15.5%

05-14-2013 01:24:37 | More by ajzy

djcira

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +9.7%

05-11-2013 11:28:43 | More by djcira

BMart

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +9.7%

05-10-2013 12:43:08 | More by BMart

mattvandyk

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +3.9%

05-06-2013 12:48:18 | More by mattvandyk

Tee2Grn

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +3.9%

05-05-2013 22:28:39 | More by Tee2Grn

bob_d_j

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev -1.8%

05-05-2013 20:47:49 | More by bob_d_j

Stickler

Michigan

5/5  rDev +15.5%

05-02-2013 00:26:48 | More by Stickler

douginromeo

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +3.9%

05-01-2013 16:50:27 | More by douginromeo

jhillwastaken

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -19.2%

04-30-2013 09:05:48 | More by jhillwastaken

Alextricity

Michigan

4.71/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Served on-tap at One-Eyed Betty's in Ferndale, Michigan.

I can see why this beer is as popular as it is. I can tell you that right before I even type up my review.

Appearance: A standard yellow color. Really no head to speak of, and some patchy lacing. Looks pretty good. Knowing what it contains is even MORE exciting... >:)

Smell: Mm. Sweet and delicious. No rice in the aroma whatsoever, just a lot of super fruity, bright hops.

Taste: Identical to the smell... but in taste form. 9.5%? Who the hell would guess that. No warmth, no taste, it's not there at all, at least not for me. Fruity hops with floral notes there as well. Surprisingly really not bitter, which I wasn't expecting. Impeccable balance. The feel is great as well ... super refreshing, no harsh carbonation, and dangerously easy drinking.

Basically, I can see why this beer has won so many awards. Of the flight I got, this is definitely my favorite of the six. Outstanding beer ... I'll get a pint next time I see this beer around. Awesome stuff .. a must try.

Serving type: on-tap

04-27-2013 03:30:37 | More by Alextricity

MDDMD

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +3.9%

04-26-2013 23:23:51 | More by MDDMD

Twoheartedzombie

Indiana

4.75/5  rDev +9.7%

04-21-2013 23:29:44 | More by Twoheartedzombie

Justin_Neff

Ohio

4.58/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the brewery.

A: Bright yellow golden body - completely translucent. Small fizzy head, fades into virtually nothing, but leaves a sticky memory of the head as it slides down the glass.

S: Basically all hops and citrus fruits. Grapefruit, tangerine, some lemon, and oranges with a hint of passion fruit. The fruity hop aromas leave a very sweet aroma, but its not malty smelling. Nice.

T: Follows the nose. Very hop forward. Tangerine and mangos seem to be the dominant fruity tastes. Not overly bitter - like the bitterness of a grapefruit, but the not bitterness of grapefruit rind. Very little malt backbone, which is surprising for the ABV.

M: Medium body. Not boozy - actually hidden very well, but becomes a little more evident as it warms. Prickly, sticky, wet.

O: A great first Kuhnhenn experience at the brewery. An awesome DIPA. It's a shame I cant get Kuhnhenn in Cincy, but also makes these trips to the brewery so much sweeter. Growler pours for $17 - cant beat that.

Serving type: on-tap

04-21-2013 14:44:53 | More by Justin_Neff

jsurfs82

Ohio

4.75/5  rDev +9.7%

04-20-2013 22:02:29 | More by jsurfs82

aztraz

Sweden

3.75/5  rDev -13.4%

04-20-2013 13:21:26 | More by aztraz

joefuzz

New York

4.41/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25

32oz growler picked up at beer city

pours super bright gold with a fluffy white head. Smell is like getting hit in the face with a bag of hops, grapefruit and orange come to mind immediately. Taste is very hop heavy, it starts with a very piney hop bite that fades to a sweet orange, tangerine and grapefruit aftertaste that lingers in your mouth. Alcohol is very well hidden. Mouthfeel is where this beer really shines...one of the best drinking IIPAs i have ever had, dangerously drinkable. Overall this is one of my favorite american imperial IPA's and I just cant resist picking it up every time I see it.

Serving type: growler

04-20-2013 04:17:10 | More by joefuzz

clutchmeister

North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev -1.8%

04-19-2013 00:53:54 | More by clutchmeister

Chugger

New York

4.5/5  rDev +3.9%

04-13-2013 20:46:50 | More by Chugger

DrIPA

Michigan

4/5  rDev -7.6%

04-09-2013 18:38:02 | More by DrIPA