Idiot IPA - Coronado Brewing Company

modus

New Jersey

4.9/5  rDev +23.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured a hazy golden color. Not much head. Aroma of light orange and pine.
Taste is tart and sweet. Is this IPA dry-hopped?
Mouthfeel is medium-high carbonation and good texture.
I could have had a second one of these with no problem. Maybe a third, but I'll pace myself.

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2010 03:56:23 | More by modus

hoptualBrew

Florida

4.85/5  rDev +22.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

On tap into a goblet glass a beautiful honey orange with cream colored head. Before I start, I will say the bottle version I have had holds nothing on the draught version. Lacing sets around the glass and nose of fresh pine sap, orange blossom and caramel malts. I am thinking use of simcoe & amarillo hops. Taste follows the nose but damn this is astringent, complete hop nuke! Tropical citrus, pine, candy sweet caramel, and a soothing floral citrus aftertaste. Bitterness & mouthfeel are near perfect. On tap, this holds it's own with the big boys - Heady Topper, Pliny the Elder, Hopslam, etc... Highly recommended!

Serving type: on-tap

01-21-2012 18:01:13 | More by hoptualBrew

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.83/5  rDev +22%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Very nice to see Ballast Point Big Eye and Sculpin IPA along side my first sighting of a Coronado beer at Giant Eagle Market District. All three brews plus a six of Dale's Pale ran something like 34 dollars. At a beer bar in the area that same purchase may have cost nearly 50 dollars. Appears a glowing orange copper hue with a light off white head, nice coated lacing with each sip finely spreads out some eye candy for the beer drinking on this New Beer Sunday. Aroma is full of hops ranging from a strong grapefruit citrus tone to mild pine and dank mary jane. An excellent balance is even noticeable in the nose with juicy sugar coated hops and mild notes of fresh baked bread drizzled with caramel. Bitterness kicks in just like all of my favorite west coast DIPAs but what follows is a massive hop flavor and big heavy handed malt balance. Juicy malts wrap around big alpha acids from the hops. It's almost like a biting bitterness that is unrelenting throughout each sip to the finish while the malts are fighting for the lives to stay on board. Sweetness is defintely ample but it never loses it's focus the hops crush the malts but there's still a balance that is essential for this beer to be drinkable. Alcohol is evident in the finish but the big herbal/citrus hops are banging. Mouthfeel is big and oily with hops medium to full bodied. Drinkability is awesome, it's a double IPA that drinks like a standard IPA it's incredible, gotta get more especially at 7 bucks a bomber what an incredible deal.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2010 19:22:30 | More by WVbeergeek

surfer4life

California

4.8/5  rDev +21.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

On Tap in a pint glass at the Coronado Brewing Company.

A - Darker Golden with a small head that left a nice rim around the top for the whole beer. Medium lacing.

S - Pine, Pine, Pine. A Christmas tree doesn't smell as good as this does. You can barely detect the malts over the hops, but it's a good balance.

T - The Closest I've come to Pliny the Elder. Until this I thought no one could emulate that wonderful taste of Christmas Tree and Citrus Boquet. This is a truly wonderful beer.

M - Bordering between medium and heavy thickness, medium carbonation leaves the pallet quenching for another drink.

D - Far too drinkable, If only Coronado Brewing Company had more than a 3 pint limit, which I assume is because there is a Navy Base 1 mile from it's door.

Serving type: on-tap

01-23-2009 22:49:41 | More by surfer4life

Radiodred

California

4.8/5  rDev +21.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

What a Great Beer! I had this in Santa Monica on tap at the Daily Pint. I am from SD and didn't know that Coronado made this. I am going out and looking for a 22 as soon as I am done with the review.
A- Pours nicley with a cloudy amber haze. Good Head
S- grapefruit like hops
T- exceptional taste that give a pleasureable bite
D-I highley recomend

Serving type: on-tap

02-19-2009 04:41:25 | More by Radiodred

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

4.8/5  rDev +21.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours a clean orange-ish/ yellow color with an off white head. In the aroma, HOPS and more HOPS, citrus, dry grapefruity. In the taste, citrus hops and a nice malt backing. A small bite, but mainly smooth and medium bodied mouthfeel, with a semi dry grapefruity aftertaste. Great balance, big hops, and quite smooth. FAN FREAKIN TASTIC!

Serving type: on-tap

08-07-2010 15:09:36 | More by OWSLEY069

slugman

California

4.8/5  rDev +21.2%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I have a hard time finding the smell and flavor associated with the 4 "Cs" of hops. I can honestly say, this beer is totally satisfying. Had one this weekend and had to go back for more. If you like strong grapefruit smell backed up with a dry citrus flavor, this one is for you. Will definitely keep this on my "go to" list when I want a bitter, citrus beer. Highly recommended!

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2012 03:05:30 | More by slugman

DogFood11

California

4.78/5  rDev +20.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Bomber poured into a tulip. Beautiful frothy white head clings to the glass with each pull like a stretched spider web. Row upon row of racing carbonation. Very inviting.

The smell and taste embody the west coast style. Bountiful hops create this resinous monster. Grapefruit and Orange make up the slamming citrus profile. It is delicious. Lingering aftertaste is welcomed. First class.

By far the best Coronado brew I've had and most definitely worth seeking out. Good prices from this brewer add to the love.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2010 03:33:59 | More by DogFood11

serendipity

Maryland

4.75/5  rDev +19.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had this on tap at my local. And wow what a nice find! Its bigger than islander but not a double. Its just right. Amber orange pour nice lofty head leaves great lacing and smells like a citrus teabag.
Tastes is hopforward leaving malts behind. Hops hops hops. But sweet at the same time its nice to see a beer I didn't know taste so scrumptious.
Seek and drink

Serving type: on-tap

01-16-2010 01:34:42 | More by serendipity

drpimento

Wisconsin

4.73/5  rDev +19.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Generally I'm kind of tired of the west coast hop bombs, but this one is very good. Poured at a good temperature with a giant, foamy, frothy, off-white head that soon settles down and a bit of lace. Color is a clear, yellow gold with lots of bubble trails. Aroma is a fresh, pleasing hop, fruit, and a bit of malt. Flavor's of course dominated by hop, but done with a sense of aesthetics - nicely contrasted with the malt and carbonic tang. Body/carbonation are perfect. Finish is like flavor, long, with no off qualities, and only a hint of alcohol.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2013 00:30:59 | More by drpimento

Daniellobo

District of Columbia

4.72/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A truly beautiful cask treat for anyone with a hefty need of pungent hops.

Presentation: 16 oz cask offering. Menu notes style, temperature, Alc. by Vol. (8.0%). Served on a pint glass.

A - Medium amber pour with a lightly hazy settling top cloud. Rich and fairly long frothy head crowning it all, medium retention with a fair surface memory ring and some strokes of lace. Despite the unfortunate pint shaker glass, for a cask serving this is actually pretty gorgeous.

S - Hops with open arms. Not strangling one yet, but with a decisive warning salute... Softly assertive pine, dash of citrus, earthy insinuation...

T - Give that resin to me! Grapefruit and citrus are also there but the pine and resin shine on their own beautiful bitterness. My palate is probably broken already so it does not bother much but it still caresses the mouth with a long profound taste that lingers with a touch of grass and even a hint of a nice musty feel, fresh, yet with a very intense and profound punch. Loving it.

M - Medium/full body with a logical small cask carbonation, and yet there is a tiny tingle to it, rather nice, and a nice sticky hoppy sense to it too.

D - Hmmm, I so needed a dose of hops like this... Beautiful.

Notes: One of the best DIPAs had on cask, or in any other form, what a treat for someone feeling like a shot of hops.

Serving type: cask

11-27-2010 04:51:21 | More by Daniellobo

HURTemHIZZY

Virginia

4.7/5  rDev +18.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Awesome brew! In my eyes, this is on the same level as Pliny the elder. Pours a nice clear copper with a 2 finger off white head that takes a couple minutes to dissipate. Smell is delicious - Tropical fruit, pine, grapefruit, and citrus. Basically every flavor you could get from hops is in there (besides saaz which would be gross w this.)

Taste is perfect. Slight bready and caramel malt base, completely dominated by huge flavors of pine, tropical fruits, citrus, and grapefruit. Finishes with a nice level of dry hop bitterness that just demands you keep having more and more. So good!

This is still (kind of) under the radar, but I think if it start getting more and more ticks it will soon be on the top 100 list, and imo should be near the top. Awesome brew.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2010 16:23:40 | More by HURTemHIZZY

cdizinno

South Carolina

4.68/5  rDev +18.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

EDIT(06-22-2010) HAD to UP TASTE from a 4.5 to a 5.0. This may sound odd, but I've noticed that the DIPA's in growlers tend to become more flavorful after breathing for a day or two. I don't mean a day in the glass, but I'll drink one or two glasses, re-seal the growler and it tastes better the next day. Kind of wierd, but the high-quality DIPA's tend to last for 3 or 4 days(if the cap is re-sealed with tape). It might just be the lower carbonation brings out or accentuates the flavors. TRY IT!

Presentation: Poured into a pint glass from a growler purchased at Green's-Piney Grove in Columbia. Okay.. I know this is my 3rd review! But they have ALL been different settings, situations, and containers.

A: Pours hop-hazy golden amber color with a big thick off white head. Leaves thick sheets of foam lacing.

S: Better than I remember from the bottle. Lots of citrus, floral, and pine. Malts give off some sweet aromas.

T&M: Some one said this on a previous review and I quote, "I wish this was more like the nose." It is more balanced directly from a keg than the bottle, but a nice hop bitterness overpowers the taste of the nose. Some tart grapefruit and honey. Alcohol is apparent, but fairly well masked. Lots of resinous hops create that sticky feeling that misses a perfect mouthfeel. Medium bodied. Carbonation is good for the style. Sticky mouthfeel.

I believe this is similar to the Islander IPA. The Islander has a slightly better flavor and smell, but the Idiot has a slightly better mouthfeel. Both are exceptional brews.

Serving type: growler

06-21-2010 00:06:31 | More by cdizinno

Zodijackyl

Connecticut

4.63/5  rDev +16.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Pours a light golden-orange with a strong white head. Smells like orange fruit gem candy and a touch of cascade hops and sweet malt. Taste is a very well balanced blend of cascade and other hops, a smooth and sweet orange flavor, and some sweet malt, all very well assembled into a single flavor. Light carbonation and easily the most drinkable refinement of any DIPA I have had, nothing excessive and an almost creamy character.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2010 03:00:01 | More by Zodijackyl

Stoneman78

California

4.6/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Keith from Coronado Brewing provided a tasting of their recently revamped lineup at the La Jolla BevMo, and I am obligated to provide the following disclaimer: Coronado now has an AMAZING lineup of ales (and that's saying a lot for the San Diego craftbrew scene). If you can get your hands on any of these jewels, don't hesitate. Now for a review of my favorite, the IDIOT IPA (also referred to as a "San Diego IPA" on the bottle):

A- Pours a clear, golden/orange hue with two fingers of creamy, white head that is mostly diminishing, excellent lacing
S- Nose is well-balanced with citrus and floral hops, pine resin, and sweet malts
T- Initial taste is dominated by grapefruit and other citrus, followed by some sweet malts and ending with a long-lasting citrus bitterness
M- Medium-bodied with adequate carbonation, coats the tongue with subtle alcohol warming
D- 8%abv is well-masked but could build up over time, this is a wonderful ale in between IPA/DIPA status that is hopped up but well-balanced and extremely delicious, I'll definitely stock up on this gem on my next beer run.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2007 04:38:59 | More by Stoneman78

Genuine

Connecticut

4.6/5  rDev +16.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured out a very beautiful copper in color, which this unbelievable cream head that sat nicely upon the body.

smell - After popping the cap, the fragrance was incredible. Lots of citrusy and piney hops in this one. This double IPA smells wonderful.

Taste - The taste follows the nose on this one. Very crisp, grapefruit taste to this one...really unbelievable. This has definitely become a favorite DIPA. Lots of piney and grapefruit notes in this, it's amazing.

Mouthfeel - Medium for sure. The carbonation is spot on. Not too much but not too little.

Overall - this is an amazing DIPA that i'll definitely be getting more of. It is certainly worth the money.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2011 17:23:27 | More by Genuine

ffejherb

Pennsylvania

4.58/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22oz. bomber into goblet on 7/9/08.

A - Hazy light orange/cantaloupe-colored body with one-finger creamy white head that left ornate swatches of lace around the glass. A bit of gritty substance and mild carbonation throughout the body.

S - Huge, pungent West Coast nose reeking of fresh citrus hops akin to grapefruit and pineapple. Malt is primarily caramel based with a good bit of sugar sweetness.

T - Big, juicy hops right up front with plenty of citrus fruit including, you guessed it, grapefruit and pineapple. Hops are balanced by a moderate sweetness that's not cloying at all. Finishes with plenty of hop bite with ample malt backbone featuring hints of caramel, toasted grains and bread crust.

M - Medium body with a super creamy texture and soft carbonation. Also, there's a bit of heat from the ABV, but not much at all. Pretty aggressive hoppy finish that hangs out on your palate for a while.

D - Excellent DIPA, certainly up there with Dorado in my book. Aroma is amazing on this one. Very representative of the West Coast style. I will definitely seek this one out again in the future!

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2008 13:47:38 | More by ffejherb

Durge

Connecticut

4.5/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Another bomber I managed to bring back from San Diego and was glad I did. This pours a hazy golden amber with a nice fuzzy white head and great lacing. I can see a good deal of suspended particles. The aroma is a beautiful grapefruit hops with a mellow malty sweetness notable in the background. The taste jumps on your bitter taste buds with big citrus but all in a velvetty blend with hearty malt and touches of licorice alcohol. This one was a real pleasant surprise. Great body, a meaty flavorful ipa that I would put among the better bottled ipa's I've had. Not to miss!

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2009 05:18:31 | More by Durge

spartanfan

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

reviewed from notes had on tap at union jack's glenside.

A: Pours a golden amber with a small white head that fades to a ring with minimal lacing left behind.

S: Smells sweet with much citrus and a hint of grassyness.

T: Bitter grassy flavors followed by orange-y citrus flavors. Hoppy and good.

M: Just about right with good carbonation

D: Very drinkable with strong, clean hops and a very good aroma.

Serving type: on-tap

02-11-2011 20:04:09 | More by spartanfan

climax

Kansas

4.5/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This one pours a copper/caramel color. Clarity is decent, and head wasn't particularly impressive after a vivacious pour. It all slows down to an eggshell white film with a few lace spots.

The nose is a sweet and sour explosion of tropical fruit, pineapple, fresh garden herbs, bright juniper pine, and bubblegum. The slightest breath of alcohol, caramel backbone, and some spice seeps through as it warms. A joyous aroma, I'd like it in a body wash.

The flavor is a tropical and herbal hop jungle. However, it does have a bit more pronounced toasty malt base. It's actually pretty well-balanced, but by no means is the hop profile anything less than satisfactory. The malt bill is caramel and a bit buttery. The finish is all resiny hops. It's a boat load of flavor for sure!

The mouthfeel is around medium with a bit of a creamy slick feel. The carbonation is light, but crisp through the finish. The finish is dry, with a bit of lingering slime.

It's very easy to drink, the alcohol is hidden well. It's got a crap load of flavor on both ends of the spectrum. It's not a tongue ripper yet the hop head will certainly get his/her fix. A beer of this caliber shouldn't be going down this smooth. Pretty awesome beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2011 00:22:45 | More by climax

welldigger888

South Carolina

4.47/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

poured a nice honey golden with a white head that laced well.

OOOFAHHHH with the west coast style hops, as my publican told me as filling my growler, a new fav. WOW citrus and bread with all that seems.

Creamy creamsicle grapefruit style with all that make for goodness.

OOHFFAH the creamy goodness is wherer it is at.

Drink deeply my friend!

Serving type: growler

09-18-2011 01:12:34 | More by welldigger888

trisweb

Massachusetts

4.47/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the Ojai Beverage Company, Ojai, CA.

Pour was a clean yellow-orange with good carbonation and a smooth head, which lasted a while and lined the glass.

Smell was full of hop, some citrus and pine. Very enticing to the nose. I sat and smelled this one for a good few minutes before tasting.

Taste initially very hop-forward and citrus/pine flavor, good hop flavor, much more balanced with sweetness and maltiness coming out after it warmed up—halfway through the glass really hit the sweet spot. Little bitterness or harshness, just smooth malt and sweetness supporting some excellent floral hop flavors. Finish is floral and smooth, no unexpected unpleasant bitterness.

Mouthfeel is not too syrupy at all despite the sweetness, doesn't stick to your mouth; not too thick or strong and very drinkable. Nice.

Overall, a great example of what I consider a west coast IPA. Classified as a DIPA but closer to a strong IPA to me, maybe a bit too balanced in favor of hops over body, but overall very enjoyable.

Serving type: on-tap

11-27-2011 03:12:40 | More by trisweb

malloyca

District of Columbia

4.45/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A clear, dark amber beer that poured with a 1 to 1.5" head that persisted for quite a while afterward. There were strong citrus aromas along with faint hops. A very smooth drinking ale, there is no bite to this. The hops are certainly present in the form of firm citrus and pine flavors, but they are balanced by a creaminess and sweetness that are well-balanced and not over the top. I kept coming back for more of this one, and was disappointed when it was gone.

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2010 18:07:43 | More by malloyca

Beerenauslese

California

4.45/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Body appears clear, dark gold. The beer pours producing a decent half inch head that dissipates to a fine cap with a foam ring, leaving lots of sticky lacing on the glass.

Aromas of malt, brown sugar, wet hay, and hops. Produces a nice malty and floral hop perfume--Eau de Idiot.

Tastes sweetly malty with nicely balanced fruity and grapefruit/citrus rind hop profile. Very smooth. Ends dry and just slightly bitter, and has a long tasty finish.

Body is medium and the carbonation is mild, producing a nice creamy mouthfeel.

A very nice DIPA, smooth and flavorful, with little taste of alcohol. Highly drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2011 03:54:14 | More by Beerenauslese

whatthehull

California

4.45/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Tasted April 23rd 2011 (from notes)

Poured into an IPA fest glass (Najs's Place, Redondo Beach, CA)

A - Golden copper, one finger white head and lots of lacing

S - Resin, citrus hops, toasted malt, sweet yeast and a flower garden

T - Lots of resin, yeast, toasted malt and grains. Orange and pineapple. Floral and alcohol

M - A bit chewy, medium acidity, long finish and great balance

D - Tastes great, goes down very nice and has a nice ABV

Final thought - Wish I had this everyday

Serving type: on-tap

05-03-2011 04:32:58 | More by whatthehull