Kuhnhenn DRIPA (Double Rice IPA) - Kuhnhenn Brewing Company

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

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

TheBrewo

Michigan

4.21/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

This beer was served from the tap at One-Eyed Betty’s in Ferndale, MI. It arrived in a generic tulip, glowing the bright, straw colored hue of gold bullion. It held a one finger head of tan bubbles, showing decent retention. No haze or sediment was noted, and carbonation appeared light. The aroma was palpably sticky and heavy with grapefruit hops, sweet honeys, and pineapple sugars. To match was chalky rice graininess, stark plastic and chemically phenols that took on polish remover with warmth, huge sting of booze, and crayon waxiness. The hops, too, changed with warmth, giving more bitter herbals and the high pitched scream of perfume-floral hops. Our first impression was that the flavoring was very juicy and sweet, with nice hop bitterness to balance. As we sipped, grapefruit and lemony hops crashed the palate, with a quick shift to musty herbs, honey sweetness, pale and toasty grain, plastic phenols, and vodka booziness to bring us to the peak. Here we met hollow booziness, sweet cherries, and freshly sliced pineapples. The continued herbal hop bitterness actual helped to dull the booziness a bit. We finished with more pale malts, coiny metallics, apricot sweetness, citric and herbal hoppiness, dill, and mashed basil. The aftertaste breathed of musk, peppery booze, burnt pale grain, grapefruit hop resin, fresh grassiness, and hugely spicy phenols. The body was medium, and the carbonation was medium. There was soft pop, nice slurp and smack to each sip. Froth and cream were lesser, but not noticeably negative. The mouth was left bone dry following an oily coating and coolness. The abv was big, but this sipper was easy.

Overall, what we enjoyed most about this beer was the insanely bright aroma. This showed such a wild blend between fresh grapefruit-zested hops, strong booze, and phenols. This helped to keep this guy no nonsense. The taste followed nicely, with even balance between the sweets and the bitters. The booze did come out more strongly with warmth, so beware if you’re not all about that. This is a soft, fresh, unique, and highly drinkable beer.

Serving type: on-tap

04-05-2013 23:59:15 | More by TheBrewo

Docrock

Illinois

4.61/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

at Kuhnhenn served in a 10 oz snifter

A - A pale golden body with a nice white 1/2" head. the head rapidly diminshed to a very thin cap, there was minimal lacing.

S - light citrus a bit of pineapple and a touch of pine but nothing overpowering, actually smells a bit sweet.

T - the taste is opposite of the smell, a nice pine note with just a hint of the citrus and then a nice malty finish.

M - well carbonated and there is a bit of the resinous pine aftertaste, the body actually seemed light I'm guessing that is from the rice but its really smooth and drinkable.

O - This was an excellent beer, too bad they don't bottle it. It was well balanced and availbale in Growlers. Next time will take a Growler home. I think if they actually distrubted this beer it would be pretty sought after.

Serving type: on-tap

02-14-2013 03:53:33 | More by Docrock

PattyMelt

Michigan

4.31/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this at Kuhnhenn's on tap, than took a growler home to enjoy for a few days.

A- Pretty standard. Nice orange-yellow hue, white head
S- Amazing. So much citrus that I don't even know what is what. Orange, pineapple, grapefruit, and other fruits I don't know.
T- Not as strong as the smell, which was just slightly disappointing to me. But same flavor qualities as taste, a lot of citrus. I also got a strong piney taste, especially on the back, and some small spices notes, coriander, basil maybe?
M- Pretty good. Medium bodied, a little bitter at the end.

O- Pretty great beer. I personally would have liked a bit more spice on the taste to balance out the citrus, but I loved it. Made for a great growler to enjoy at home.

Serving type: on-tap

02-03-2013 06:11:07 | More by PattyMelt

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

liamt07

Ontario (Canada)

4.48/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the brewpub for 2012 Winter Solstice, and many times over at other times.

Hazy straw yellow great lacing and retention. Nose is weed, citrus zest in the form of oranges and clementines. Taste has more weed, herbal notes and citrus zest. Powerful dank and citrus character through and through. Medium body and medium high carbonation. Excellent, one of my favourite DIPAs.

Serving type: on-tap

12-26-2012 20:30:46 | More by liamt07

lovindahops

New York

4.1/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at j ryans

A- a golden orange body that is very clear with lacing trickling on the edges of the glass

S- big dark pine and citrus is shining through with pineapple. Very vibrant and hoppy

T- massive citric hops are rounded off by a smooth caramel malt flavor. Very flavorful and hides the alcohol well

M- good prickly flavor that stings your tongue

O- DRIPA is a spiky hop hit that clashes on your palate with piney resinous hops and good malty caramel flavor. Enjoyed this

Serving type: on-tap

11-04-2012 18:57:37 | More by lovindahops

smalenberg

Michigan

4.1/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - golden with beautiful long lasting lace on the sides of the glass and a thin head remaining throughout.

S - wonderful citrus hops nose

T - well balanced hops bitterness with sweet floral and citrus notes

M - carbonation and alcoholic tingle on the tongue gives way to slightly viscous quality that leaves a pleasant hoppy flavor lingering on the tongue.

O - one of the best IPAs I've had. Balance is so critical in this style and it is well executed here. Great quaff.

Serving type: on-tap

10-06-2012 20:49:58 | More by smalenberg

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A good DIPA. Pours pretty and the nose is very fragrant and distinct. The flavor profile is very good, but I felt like it was a little bit too sweet at first, though that seems to mellow out as the beer goes on. The sweet tones combine with a bitter spicy hop tone. A bit too citrus toned, but it's still nice. A pretty easy drinking dipa. I was concerned when my growler seemed to be leaking, but this withstood the trip home. Whew. Lucky I am. A pleasure to drink. Are you jealous that I got a growler of this? I think you should be. Be extra jealous that I got a Kuhnhenn tulip.

Serving type: on-tap

08-24-2012 00:23:10 | More by RblWthACoz

BlackBelt5112203

South Carolina

4.05/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Ashley’s in Ann Arbor, poured into a pint glass at cellar temperature.

L - Pale amber color with absolutely no head. After I drank a little, I shook it up a little to generate a little bit of a cream-colored bubbly head. I’m going to chalk the lack of head up to the way it was poured.

S - Tons of hops with grapefruit, peach, and mango notes. I can get a tiny bit of a grainy malt and rice aroma but this is mostly hops.

T - This doesn’t start sweet like most DIPAs I’ve had. It is bitter right off the bat with grapefruit, pineapple, peach, and mango notes. The finish has grapefruit and orange hop flavors and a little bit of a grainy taste, as well.

F - Light-to-medium-bodied with good carbonation, a sticky mouthfeel, and a very bitter and very dry finish. Bitterness lingers for a long time, as does a grainy, rice astringency. There’s a slight warming sensation from the alcohol.

O - This is a bitter bomb of a DIPA. Tons of hops in this one. I’m not really sure what the point of the rice was, though. In my opinion, it makes the mouthfeel suffer as it lightens the body and adds an astringency to the finish due to the rice crispness added on to the warmth from the high ABV. Besides that, the alcohol is hidden very well. Overall, this is a pretty tasty beer, and I’m glad I finally got to try something from Kuhnhenn.

Serving type: on-tap

06-24-2012 15:29:57 | More by BlackBelt5112203

ryantho00

Michigan

4.38/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a deep honey amber orange hue with a nice 2 finger that sticks to the glass very nicely.

I get a full hoppy nose with a slight citrus undertone.

What a nicely blended taste, great hops, citrus, sticky piney oil. Great balanced, a fantastic crisp rye finish.

Wonderfully brewed DIPA, just great balance and a fantastic crisp finish. Yet another fantastic brew from Kuhnhenn's.

Cheers!!

Serving type: on-tap

05-09-2012 19:03:57 | More by ryantho00

brystmar

New York

4.1/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On draft at Blind Tiger.

Golden pour moderate white head. Interesting aroma combines the best qualities of a DIPA with sake. Taste is more subtle, but still excellent. Crisp, clean, refreshing. Bitterness is kept in check by the malt and rice. And holy crap, this is 9.5%?! Danger ahead!

Had a bunch of IPAs today; this was one of my favorites.

Serving type: on-tap

03-29-2012 04:08:12 | More by brystmar

cbutova

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at Ginger Man NYC.

A- Golden and slighty hazy into snifter. Small white head with low retention. Tiny ring leaves spotty lace.

S- Mostly just citrus hops. Notes of peach, lemon zest and juicy fruit.

T- A nice hop profile of peach, grass, lemon, citrus fruit and pine. Grainy dry feel and some yeast hints, spice and bread.

MF- Moderately carbonated body with a smooth silky feel. Finished a bit bitter and warmth.

The rice adds a unique but hard to describe feel, somewhat bitter and a bit cleaner.

Serving type: on-tap

12-24-2011 05:02:20 | More by cbutova

oline73

Maryland

4.03/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this on-tap at the brewpub. Poured into a sample glass.

Appearance: Pours a clear golden color with fluffy white head and good retention.

Smell: Citrus hops with an herbal note in there as well. There is a malt sweetness that carries through the finish.

Taste: Citrus and herbal hops. The taste isn't nearly as sweet as the smell, but the grain does show up.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with tingly carbonation and a dry finish.

Overall: This is a good DIPA. A bit light for the style, I'm not sure if that can be contributed to the rice. Really enjoyed the finish.

Serving type: on-tap

11-22-2011 04:35:41 | More by oline73

mdfb79

New York

4.48/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

From 09/26/11 notes. Had on tap at The Ginger Man, served side by side with the Kuhnhenn Silly Simcoe.

a - Pours a hazy dark golden color with one inch of white head and moderate carbonation evident. Light lacing left on the glass and little head retention.

s - Smells of citrus hops, tropical fruits, mangoes, and light pine hops. A ton of fruit and hops in the nose, smells amazing.

t - Tastes of citrus hops, tropical fruits, pineapples and mangoes, pine hops, and fruity malts. Again, a ton of hops and fruit, and a little sweet, which is really nice. Light bitterness but not much. Really great.

m - Medium body and moderate carbonation. Super smooth and creamy, and really easy to drink. I can't believe this is 10.5% ABV.

o - Overall I thought this beer was fantastic. It had a ton of fresh fruit and hops in the nose and taste and I was shocked how much tropical fruit came through in the taste. Would love to have this one again.

EDIT: 11/10/12. Not changing any numbers in my review but had this again today at Taproom 307 in NYC and it was just as amazing as last winter. Love this beer; hope they bottle it!

Serving type: on-tap

09-27-2011 20:52:23 | More by mdfb79

tempest

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev -15%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had a 9 oz. pour at the Stag's Head in Midtown. I enjoyed the lighter body and appreciated the mild rice taste (like a light toast or rice cake). However, the hops character didn't stand out in a crowded DIPA field. There's a balanced grapefruit and pine punch, which while tasty, doesn't have any distinct, stand-out notes. It's more drinkable for the style, but there's are better options for hop heads.

Serving type: on-tap

08-28-2011 03:34:55 | More by tempest

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

The color poured out as a nice looking copper with a thin white head on it that leave a decent lacing down the glass. The Smell of hops flood out of the beer, not as strong as some DIPA's but it's got enough there to stand up against it's opponents. The taste of the beer has a nice pine like citrus hop kick that lingers nicely on the tongue. The mouthfeel is much thinner than expected. Found that to be a little strange, but like other have stated on here it must be from the rice. Overall pretty tasty stuff.

Serving type: on-tap

05-06-2011 17:07:59 | More by Knapp85

ommegangpbr

New York

4.47/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Rattle N Hum for their Kuhnhenn event.
The first thing that came to mind when sipping this beer is that it stood up to all of my favorite double IPAs and for me that says a bit.
Hits all parts of the palate and makes you want more of the hitting. Light, citrus hop character with enough depth of malt to balance it out. Nothing about it made a particular impression to make it signature or unique. It left the impression that a well brewed double IPA should for those that likes themselves a double IPA.

Serving type: on-tap

04-29-2011 07:23:49 | More by ommegangpbr

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On Tap at Rattle and Hum for their event involving this brewery.

Double Rice Eyepeeaye looks bright and golden yet not glowing like many other double eye's ive had. Bright enough with some bright white foam on top leaving significant stick for a 10 percenter. Smell is more malt driven but there is a nice fruity appeal bordering on tropical and a light bready scent from the malts. Getting some c-hop action up front dancing around with the usual fruits, a light pine taste in between with the faint malt sweetness afterwards. Not sure what the rice adds to this besides boosting up the alcohol to 10. Alcohol is in the taste as well, yet not hot. Feel is rather slippery, a bit oily and bitter, not west coast bitter though. I enjoyed this, exit 16 is the better example though.

Serving type: on-tap

04-27-2011 16:53:20 | More by onix1agr

ElGrecoVerde

Michigan

4.47/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

L:
Fairly clear copper with an off white head.

S:
Sweet, citrusy and clean.

T:
Sweet caramel, balanced by bitter grapefruit. Nice blend of orange and sugars. Warmth from the high ABV without tasting too boozy. Hints of floral hops.

F:
Very smooth, though a tad thick. Crisp carbonation carries the flavor without being overwhelming.

Sweeter than most DIPAs, but solid bitterness balances it out well.

Serving type: on-tap

01-22-2011 20:03:47 | More by ElGrecoVerde

Monkeyknife

Missouri

4.55/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from the tap a slightly hazy golden brown with two fingers of rich off-white head.

The aroma was boozy and sweet with light floral hops and big orange and grapefruit.

This one is sugary sweet, damn near too sweet, with caramel malts and loads of orange. The 10.5% alcohol is definitely there.

Medium bodied and dry with moderate carbonation.

This is one big hoppy monster with a sweet tooth. Perhaps a touch of aging might make this terrific beer even better. If that's possible.

Serving type: on-tap

12-31-2010 03:59:51 | More by Monkeyknife

LilBeerDoctor

New York

2.83/5  rDev -34.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Reviewed on 6/19/2010. On tap at the brewpub. Pours a clear orange with a thick white head. Aroma of sweat, grassy hops, and citrus. Flavor of hop oils, sweat, and lots of sweet malt and residual sugars. It was very sweet after awhile and some acetone notes came out as well. Hmm, just didn't like this one, much too sweet for me.

Serving type: on-tap

12-23-2010 23:12:54 | More by LilBeerDoctor

Pointman

Michigan

4.63/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

One of my favorites.

Very nice Tulip pour. Light head, great clear caramel color with exceptional lacing.

Very hoppy nose. Just love the hops. Beyond that you get a good floral, citrus and piney finish. Lingers well on the palate.

This is one of my Kuhnhenn's favorites.

Serving type: on-tap

12-17-2010 23:14:45 | More by Pointman

king75

Michigan

4.33/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- a dark amber color with a solid creamy head. Looks delicious.

S-Smells like a citrus bomb which is what you expect in a DIPA. A very nice pine smell comes through as well.

T- WOW! citrus nodes and hops punch you in the mouth right away. Then lingers to a nice dry feel with a pine aftertaste that lingers.

D- surprisingly drinkable at 10.50% this one will sneak up on you if not careful.

Notes: This is one of the best if not the best DIPA's that I have ever had. The Oracle cannoteven compete with this brew it is that good. If given a chance try it you won't regret it.

Serving type: on-tap

11-15-2010 05:18:56 | More by king75